New-York tribune., 1874-09-12
THE DRIFT OF SOUTHERN OPINION.

THE DRIFT OF SOUTHERN OPINION.
TWO STATES IN WHICH THERE Is NO WAR OF RACES
PUBLIC SENTIMENT AS EXPRESSED IN CoNVER-
sATIoN-THE RECENT DIsTURBANCEs-EFFECr OF
PRESIDENT GRANTS ACTION ON THE THIRD
TERM PROsPECTs-vIEws OF LEADING vIR-
GINA REPUBIICAN-THE SITUATION IN NORTH
CAROLINA
lFROA THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEI
CHARLOTTE N. c., Sept S.-From Washington
southwark the talk on the cars and in the hotels
is about the alleged ourages in the South, and it is
entertaining to hear the free expression of views on
the subject. Every intelligent Southerner with
whom have conversed denies the existence OF
conspiracy on the part of the Whites to deprive the
Blacks of any of their rights and from all sections
it is reported that the relations between the races
are peaceable The recent troubles In Tennessee
and Kentucky freely discussed, and while IL is
the unanimous opinion that these disturbances were
in no sense political, the lawlessness OF which they
were the outgrowth receives general condemnation,
and all agree that the offenders should be promptly
and severely punished. l attach good deal of
weight TO statements thus made and opinions thus
EXPRESSED, because they come from representative
men of business rather than from politicians, and
are therefore good indications of the drift of public
sentiment Some fears are entertained lest the
placing of troops under the direction OF partisan
Federal officials may cause trouble, but there is no
apprehension of disturbances from any other cause
The most marked effect of the action of the Presi-
dent in yielding TO the demands of the Southern
Republican leaders for military assistance has been
a weakening of the Third Term party in the South.
1t was il Virginia that this party had its stronghold,
SO far as the exConfederate element is concerned.
In Richmond talked with men who fortnight ago
were Outspoken advocates Of Gen. Grants re-
election on the ground of bis friendship for the
South in contrast with the bitter disposition OF
Blaine Morton, aud Conkling" aud the probability,
based on representations of personal friends OF
the President, that he will veto the Civil Rights
bill if it passes. But the Presidents ready com
pliance with the wishes Of Senator Patterson and
the Attorney General has staggered his new-found
friends They cannot reconcile his action in this
matter either With his own professions to leading
Southern men, or with the representations of his
friends Nevertheless, some Of them still say that
he has one more chance of securing their support
Let him veto the Civil Rights bill, and they care
little what else he does. r
Yesterday had conversation with the Hon.
J. Amber Smith, member Of the House of Repre-
sentatives from the Richmond. Va, district Mt
Smith is o son-in-law of Senator Lewis, and is q
popular and influential Republican. When saw
him he was fresh from interview with the Presi
dent at Long Branch. In reply to an inquiry as 70
political affairs in the South, he did not hesitate to
say that the prospects Of the Republican party had
been seriously impaired by the prevailing belief tha
Congress will pass the Civil Rights bill. He thought
the passage of that bill entirely unnecessary and %