The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-19
CAMPAIGN NEWS.
WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS md MICHIG an
TO BE HOTLY CONTESTED.
Large German Vote Conceded TO the
Democratic Ticket.
Correspondence New York Tribunc.l

CHICAGO, July 1O.The first meetings
to ratify the st. Louis nominations are
hardly over, and the plans Of the Demo
cratic politicians for the campaign in
those States which practically centre
here cannot be said to have been fully
formed. 1t is easy to see, however, even
at this early stage OF the canvass, what
will be it's objective point. 1t is safe to
say that the German vote is likely to be
the chief ground OF contest, and that 1t
Is upon their hopes of large accesslons
from this element that the Democrats
formed their plans to carry States inya-
riably Republican, and which have
voted for the Republican Presidential
ticket ever since the formation OF
the party. Secretary Bristow's popu-
larity with the Germans before
the meeting OF the Cincinnati Conven-
ton was very marked, not SO much be-
cause of any personal qualities OF his
own, as because OF the reform labors
with which his name had been asso-
ciated With them the absorbing idea
seemed to be that of reform in all
branches Of the Government, and the
Democratic politicians, since Mr.. Bris-
tow failed to receive the nomination,
have been planning to divert this
awakened sentiment to Gov. I1lden as,
in their opinion, the most prominent
remaining representative Of the reform
idea. They count upon the independence
OF the German voter, which leads him
to wear party ties easily, and will make
an aggressive and vigorous campaign,
in the hope of convincing him that
Tilden is to be preferred before Hayes.
Gov Tildens popularity with the Ger
mans in his own party was unquestlon-
ably great, even before his nomination.
Whether he has corresponding
tn;, do n,,ff hn nj
ton that cannot be answered at this
early stage Of the canvass. The Repub-
licans deny that he has just as stoutly
as the Democrats assert their claim.
Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois have
been such steady Republican States,
with two exceptions in the last two or
three years, that it might well be sup
posed that the supporters OF Gov. Tilden
would expend their efforts in more
doubtful States and leave these to the
ordinary campaign made for the sake OF
local offices and places in Congress and
the Legislatures, with u contingent
interest in national success. But there
is every indication that the Republican
hold in each of these States will be hotly
contested. 1t is in Wisconsin that the
strongest efforts are likely to be made
by the Democrats, with apparently the
highest hopes OF success. Indeed, lead
ing Democrats, long familiar with the
affairs Of the State, refuse to admit that
they can lose it. They insist that all it
is necessary for them to do is to hold the
ground they have gained. They point
to the fact that Taylor was elected
Governor in 1873, by the Democrats and
Changers combined, by q majority of
1900, and that, when nominated for re-
election, he was defeated by only 841
votes, though his administration had
been conspicuous failure and he him
self was lacking in popularity.
His opponent, on the other hand, they
say was so popular that he received
many Democratic votes, among others,
that of so prominent a Democrat as
Alexander Mitchell. In Wisconsin the
Democrats have always had q larger
share of the German vote than in Hi
nois, where it has always been strongly
Republican. Indeed, Democratic poll
ticlans claim u large majority of it in
the former State, much Of their strength
coming from Milwaukee, while in this
city the German vote Is substantially
Republican. There is large represen-
tation OF Eastern men and influences in
the State which are supposed to be
friendly to Gov. Tilden. The Demo
cratic managers are relying somewhat
also on Gov Tilden s personal populari-
ty in the State. He has aided in de-
veloping number of it's railroad enter
prises, has visited it many times, and
has become widely known to its people.
1t is evident, however, that the Demo
Gratis are basing their calculation on
the votes of 'soff years" since the last
Presidential election, and not on the
Presidential year itself The Repub-
licans claim the State confidently by
10000 or 5000 majority. The ma
jority for Grant in 1872 was $4,000
Even Michigan, which gave Grant
10000 over Greeley, is to be seriously
contested. Here the Democrats base
their expectations on the demoraliza-
tion of the Republicans which has re-
suited from the Chandler regime. The
Republican majority at the last election
was but a little over 5000, and the Demo
Gratis, not aware that victory was SO
nearly within their grasp, distributed no
printed tickets in the lnmber region,
the upper part of the State. This year
they say there will be q few judiciously
handed around. Skilled politicians
here, however, do not seem at all san
gaine OF the venture. Some Of them, at
least, thought Illinois would be an
easier State to turn" than Michigan.
In this State the Democrats are max
ing much the same class of predictions
as in Wisconsin. They are counting on
the opposition majority Of over $4,000
given in 1874, and on holding, or even
increasing, the German strength they
acquired in that year. Ex-Gov, Koerner
is quoted as saying before the ST. Louis
Convention met, that if Tilden should
be nominated he knew of 5000 German
Republican votes that would be changed
in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Con-
gressional Districts alone, and German
Democrats in the city make the most
extravagant claims as to the proportion
of the German Republican vote they
will secure here, some asserting that
they will get one-half. and more.