Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-09-29
THE PRESIDENTIAL OUTLOOK.
Talks with Representative Southern
men---" Any True Democrat
will be Elected"

The New York Herald of the 24th.
contains a series of very interesting
interviews with several leading
Southern men at White Sulphur
Springs, on the Presidential outlook
tor 1880, from which we except the
following:
GENERAL W. II. F. LEE.
General w. II. 4. Lee, son of Gen
eral Robert Lee, and who will be re-
membered as a major general of Con-
tederate cavalry, once held as a host
age at Fortress Monroe, was walking
across the lawn to witness a glass ball
shooting contest, when he was ioined
by your correspondent. Since the
close of the war the general has filled
many positions of civil and political
trust. He has been president of the
State Agricultural Society of Vir-
glnia, and is now serving his second
term In the State senate, where he is
recognized as a leader of the party in
favor Of the recent adjustment of the
public debt under what is known as
the Mccullough bill. General Lee
as may be inferred from his name, is a
representative Virginian.
" Who of those named as aspirants
Tor the Democratic nomination for
President in 1880 do you favor, gen
eral ?"
| am not very conversant with
National politics, and think that my
views are not worth much, but as far
as have been able to judge | think
that among the civilians named Mr..
Bayard, and among the soldiers,
General Hancock, are the favorites
with the people of Virginia"
Whom do you personally prefer ?"
Mr.. Bayard, though | esteem
General Hancock very highly and
formerly knew him intimately. He
was quartermaster of my old regi-
ment, the Sixth infantry, before the
war"
" 1t is contended that Mr.. Bayard
could not carry the State of New
York, which is considered essential to
the success of the Democratic party ?"
Well, don't you think that that is
merely an argument2 Why would
not Mr.. Bayard carry New York as
well as any other candidate, if he be-
comes the nominee of the Democratic
party? His financial views are
thoroughly in accord with those of
the people of New York. He is a
statesman, and a Bayard sans peur ct
sans reproche. His nomination
would give dignity and responsibility
to the ticket and the party, and | be.
lieve there are many Republicans
even who would be willing to vote for
him. He would certainly create great
enthusiasm in the South"
How about Mr.. Tilden, general ?"
II consider Mr.. Tilden a very good
man, and if he is the nominee no
doubt he would receive the unanimous
support Of the party, Vein the South
here wish it to be understood that we
have no desire to dictate who shall be
the nominee. We shall abide by the
action OF the nominating convention,
and will vote for the nominee, who
ever he may be. "
DO you not think it rather bad
taste in Mr.. Tilden to try to force
himself upon the party, as it is gener-
ally understood he is doing ?"
Mr. Tilden has right to push his
chances the same as any other oandi
date, and | suppose, in view of the
result Of the election in 1876, he CON
siders his claims greater than those of
any other aspirant. | do not wish to
impugn Mr.. Tilden's motives. or the
motives of his friends, but / do not
think it at all proper that Mr.. Tildens
friends should threaten the Demo
cratic party with the loss of the State
Of New York Fit does not accept him
as the next Presidential candidate,
What would you think of Ewing
as the candidate if he should carry
Ohio this fall ?"
General Ewing would be a good
and very popular one"
But ne is a Greenbacker, and on
that account, it is said, he could not