The Portland daily press., 1876-06-26
ST. LOUIS.
The Democratic National COnyen.
ton.
Southern Preferences.

SOutneru ffefcrenCess
ST. LOUIS, June 24-Individual delegates
from Southern Seates talk freely, but are care
full not to commit their delegates to any par
ticular opinion or line of action. One of their
very prominent men in Alabama is for Tildep,
but said that he did believe that most of the
representative men of the South prefer that
gentleman, but observations since leaving home
had tended to modify some of his views on the
general situation, and he thought likely that
this wonld be the case. with many delegates
Gen. Hancock, he said has gained largely in
the South of late. and, next to Tilden, he is the
choice of the Southern Democrats. He said
that although the South has the majority of
Democratic votes necessary to elect a President
yet they did not propose to dictate in the least
They want candidate who will carry the
election, one who will lead them on to victory,
and place the government in the hands of the
Democracy.
Governor Hendricks, this gentleman says,
has little strength in the South, still if it is
thought hess the strongest man in the North
and can carry New York and such other states
as will insure success, the South will gladly ac-
cept him and give him its full vote. If the
South has any demand to make it is that the
nominee of the convention shall be man
against whose loyalty to the Federal govern
ment during the late war, not even shadow of
suspicion can attach.
The nomination of HAYES by the Republi-
cans 5as unsettled opinion in the South.
With Blaine, Morton or Conkling on the Re-
publican ticket, Tilden was by all odds the
man for the Democratic nomination, but the
negative qualities of Hayes, and the strength
resulting therefrom, have modified their views
to some extent. and although there is no doubt
that Tidenis the choice of the South, it may
be thought that some other man would be more
successful before the people. Other Southern
delegates express the same opinion.
John Morrissey.
John Morrissey arrived today, and has been
the centre OF attraction. He is very pronounce
ed in his advocacy of Tilden as the best strong.
est and most available man for the times
There has been several quite heated disputes
between the Tammany and anti-Tammany
men, some Of them of rather exciting char
acter: The Tammanynites are hot for defeat
of Tilden at all hazards: They assert that he
cannot carry New York, and that his nomina-
ton will defeat the party. Morrissey and his
friends on the other hand contend that Tilden's
reform record will enable him to sweep New
York by larger majority than ever, as we'll as
New Jersey and Connecticut, and they say the
battle ground of the Democracy lies with these
three states. They think the Democrats can
concede the doubtful Western states TO the Re-
publicans and still win the victory.
Speeches by Prominent Democrats.
Senator Herman OF New York was serenaded
tonight and made speech advocating the
nomination of man who can wrest the gov
eminent from the party of corruption and
place it in the hands of those who will admins
ter it III the interest of honesty, reform and JUS
tice to all.
Henry M. Watterson was serenaded and re-
sponded in speech. Gen. Breckenridge Dan
voorhees, and others also made brief remarks
A prominent incident in the events of the
day was the public opening of Forest Park in
the western subu5s of the city, which attracted
an immense concourse of people. A statue of
Edward Bates was unveiled.
Delegation Meetings.
The New York delegationt held meeting to,
night and elected Senator Hermon chairman.
There are still % members of this delegation
absent. Several other delegations also held
meetings, but owing to the fact that none of
them were complete in numbers no action was
taken.