Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-04-28
THE SOUTH AND THE DEMO
CRATIC NOMINEE.

Justice to the party ana TO Ine Otate.
THE SOUTH AND THE DEMO
CRATIC NOMINEE.
We see much in the papers in regard |
to the choice Of the Southern Demo
Gratis for President, and for whom
their votes will be cast in the st. Louis
Convention. It is certainly true that
the Southern people have very de-
cided preferences among the several
eminent gentlemen who are most fire.
quently named in connection with
that nomination. It is not consistent
with Southern character to stand of,
Indifferent witnesses of struggle in
which the welfare of the country and
their own are SO intimately connected.
Impartial they are, and this very fact
demonstrates the deep and abiding
interest they feel in the result. When
we consider Southern nature, the con-
trolling part the Southern States have
almost since the foundation of the
government taken in the politics of
the country, and the further fact that
they will certainly contribute one
hundred and twenty.seven, and prob
ably one hundred and thirty electoral
votes of the one hundred and
eighty-fve which will be neces-
sary to elect the Democratic
candidate, their perfect willingness and
ability to contribute these votes to
any of the distinguished Northern
Democrats who are prominently pressed
for the nomination, is the best evidence
which can be given that they seek only
the good of the country, and not the
promotion of any man or set of men.
We are not prepared to say that the
Southern delegates to tie National
| Convention will not take a decided
stand IL favor of some candidate, but
it will not be until after they are con-
WINGED that he is the strongest man.
We can and do appreciate the fact that
our Northern friends will be to some
extent divided upon questions of
finance, upon sectional and local preiu-
| dices and upon personal preferences,
and that their judgments will be more
or less biased by these considerable Ms
Ii will be impossible for the delegates
from New York or Delaware or In
diana or Ohio or Illinois, who will
each present favorite son for the
endorsement of the Convention, to re-
gard its proceedings or to con
slider it's final action with the
same GOODNESS and Judgment that
the delegates from Virginia, North
Carolina Georgia and Texas can. Sur-
rounded by the representatives of the
Democracy from the whole Union, and
under the enthusiasm which such as
ISOLATION will engender, the chance. of
defeat are lost sight Of, and the choice
of the favorite is alone considered.
Indeed success becomes doubtful I'M
der the banners of any other leader,
and the struggle dwindles to q contest
merely between the friends of particu.
lar candidates. But with the Southern
delegates it will be different. Success
under any proper representative of
their political principles will be to
them moro important than the nomi-
nation Of any favorite, and it matters
not it what State he lives, or what |
may be his individual opinion upon
side issues. And we take it that the |
Southern people will be careful not to |
send delegates whose personal attach |
ments will outweigh their better judg-
ments.
We know that very large majority |
of the Southern States have decided |
preference for one of the distinguished |
gentlemen spoken of as presidential
candidate, and if he develops the re-
qulsite strength at the North they
would unite in his nomination, and
ratify it at the polls. with an enthusi-
asm seldom witnessed in political con.
tests. Yet they can and will go to st.
Louis ready to cast their votes for
different man if in their judgment the
best interests of the party require it.
Indeed we are prepared to see the
Southern votes divide between all the
in the earlier ballotings, and
do not believe they will concentrate
until it is demonstl ated who will be
really the most available nominee. We
are satisfied, however, that no man
will receive this vote whose political
principles are not well established and
whose private character is not in keep
ing with the exalted position to which
be aspires.
Therefore, we are persuaded that
any calculation as to the Democratic
candidate, based upon the
southern vote, is unreliable, and al
though the South will contribute
nearly three-fourths of the electoral
7otes necessary to secure the election i
IF the Democratic nominee it will do
7ery little towards debating who he
hall be. In no event will this section
to control the nomination !
Unless the divisions among the North.
IN delegates are SO great and so I'M [
compromising as to be unreconcilia. 1
lie, which we do not apprehend. LIN '
hat case the South will not hesitate to |
ct as arbiter between them, and we ,
% not believe the party or the country c
vould have cause to repent the deci-
ion, or would repudiate the choice. t
hose who calculate upon the suppose. t
on that the South will be repre-. r