New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-09
WHY THE DEMOCRATS ARE LOSING


RIrY LOST.
ryRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. OF THE TRIBUNE.l
PHILADELPHIA, Sept s.--There are few men in the
eouutry whose opinion on the political situation
would serve as well as a guide to predicting the
nroahle results Of the political campaign that OK
the Hon. Edward Mcpherson of Gettysburg, late
Clerk of the National House of Representatives.
For many years Mr.. McPhersOn's Political Hand
Book has been an Indispensable manual TO writer's
and speakers of both parties The compilation OF its
animal editions has accustomed him TO dealing with
the facts of politics in every State Of the Union aud
his information is always exceptionally thorough
and accurate. His ten years experience in the
olerkship, too bringing him in contact with party
leaders from all sections gave him understanding
of their personal weight and of all local influences
affecting the canvass so that he is in the broadest
sense a national politician, and is almost as well
posted on the important features of campaign IN
Massachusetts or Louisiana those of one in his
own State. Although an earnest Republican, he is
very little of partisan, and his Judgment is rarely
biased by bis hopes. While resting in TUX TRIBUNE
Pavilion TODAY from the fatigue of seeing the Ex-
hibtion Mr.. Mcpherson discussed the general stu
alton, saying:
my judgment is that the elections in Vermont
and Maine will SO fix the drift of public sentiment
that we shall carry both Ohio aud Indiana in Octo-
ber In that event. the election of Gov. Hayes
would be certain In looking at the probable result
do not examine the details of neighborhood poll
tics but measure the general influences operating on
the public mind. Many things combine to make me
look upon Republican victory as practically as
sured already The chief indication is the apprehen-
sion created throughout all the old loyal States by
the evident purpose of the Democrats to make the
Southern states unit in the canvass. The people
of the North are disposed to be liberal toward the
leaders of opinion in the South, aud to welcome
them back to participation in the Government, but
they have no idea Of yielding the Government en-
tirely up to their control united South in league
with a strong party In the North Is
a menace to the perpetuity of tho great re-
suits of the war, and the men who
were ON the side of the Union in
that struggle look upon the spectacle with alarm,
and distrus the patriotism of the party that has ere
ated such a phenomenon in politics. There are
MANY indications of what the fruits of Democratic
victory would be that are well calculated to excite
such disquieting feelings The legislative PROPOSE
tons made in Congress last Winter by the Southern
members were all in one direction-that of fasten-
ing upon the Treasury the payment OF enormous
claims for losses OF pretended losses, suffered during
the Rebellion. The aggregate amount OF these
claims is immense and yet it is but trlie to the
great volume that would pour in If the Democrats
once get complete control These demands are only
a sort of advance guard of the coming army, and
they have been rushed to get on the files ahead OF
the press that is to follow Tden's election. 1t was
a great misfortune to the Democrats that they got
possession of the House. They were obliged to
show their hands, and could no longer stand by and
assail the acts of the majority. Tie Presidency
seemed ready TO drop into their grasp until they un
masked themselves last session and showed their
real character and purposes"
In answer to a question as to whether he consid-
cred the whole South as already secured by the
Democrats, with the exception of South Carolina
Mr.. Mcpherson said: al am not prepared to concede
that but the Democratic plan Of campaign is based
ON the solid support of the old slave States. In est
mating the chances they lump these States together
with single exception, and throw them into the
SCALE adding to them three or four Northern States
which they think they can capture. With fair
election we could carry Florida, Louisiana, and
Mississippi. i think we have an equal chance
of carrying North Carolina In that State
our party is in frst-rate condition, has
able leaders, and strong, intelligent white element
Mississippi we shall have to abandon. The Repub-
hean leaders there quarreled among themselves, and
were. fear q pretty bad lot as a rule. First the
party was demoralized by their conduct, and then
it was easily disrupted by the articles and htimida-
ton practiced by the Democrats Our prospects are
good in Louisiana If general system of terrorism
such as prevailed ia 1868 is not established. That
it is intended have no doubt"
Practically. then" said Mr.. McPherson's inter-
locutor, is the North against the South again in
the present contest and the hands of the clock have
been turned back six or eight years"
Undoubtedly that is the csse,D replied Mr.. Nc
Pherson, land the Democrats are alone to blame for
it, The same causes which operated to produce the
Republican gain ia Vermont are coextensive with
the loyal territory. They viii be felt in Ohio and
Indiana next month. They win make New-Jersey
again Republican and bring Connecticut back. /
have spoken Of the fear of united South as dan
gerous factor in national politics as the chief OF
these causes another, and an important one is the
attitude Of the Democracy on the financial question:
which is 80 palpably insncere and double-faced as
to disgust all thinking men, They offer policy TO
supplant that of the republicans, and the painfully
forced effort Of their two candidates TO agree upon
dnge point showed an utter waut Of anything Like
harmony of purpose"
"What of the prospect in the October StstesP
AIN Ohio the Democrats do not seem TO be con-
testing the ground with any energy. There is some
talk Of their using money, but think they are too
shrewd TO throw away any Of ther campaign fund.-
in that way. l count Ohio as certain to give from
$4,000 to sc, 600 majority for the Republican State
ticket IN October Indiana Is going to DO close but
N event win the result there be decided defeat
for us. II "a much more sure 10 90 Republican 10
November than in October for the reason that the
: softInoney element Is far more in earnest about
slecting Congressman Of its own liking than shout
making Tilden President Just how strong this eie-
msnt g, and Just how much II may hurt Us and help
eur adyersaries II is impossible now TO determine
look 70 zee the most bigoted portion Of IT, after