Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15
WHAT TWO SOUTHERN CoNaREssMEN SAY

TION-soUTHERN DISGUST WITH THE QUARREIs
OF THE NEW YORK DEMOCRACY OVER FEW
PETTY OFFICES-CIRCUMsTANCES UNDER WHICH
THE SOUTH WOULD SUPPORT GRANT.
A reporter of THE STAR fell in with two south
ern Congressmen-bot democrats-last night,
and as they had just met, the conversation was
on the subject Of the politi cal situation. Speak
ing of the democratic prospects, one of the NJ.
C.'s remarked al am afraid that the greatest
difficulty will be encountered just where none is
expected. In all political calculations the south
is counted as solid for the democrats. Now,
right there is where we have most to appre-
hend. In my opinion 1t will be harder to carry
the south for the democratic ticket next year
than to carry New York"
The reporter was very much surprised to hear
Such declaration from member OF Congress
whose democracy has been time and again
prise was expressed, and the NJ. c. who had
been talking continued, Il am as much a demo-
crat now as ever was. 1 believe that our party
and our principles only can preserve this repub-
lie and maintain the liberties of the people. But
it is folly for democrats to close their eyes upon
dtsagreeable facts and rush bltndfolded upon
certain destruction. The South has grown rest
less and dissatisfied. The recent election in
New York has had more demoralizing effect
upon our party in the South than in the very
State where it was held.
Star =" Howl"
Ans.:-"I will tell you. For years however
since the close of the war-the southern people
have borne the brunt of the democratic fight.
Wehave been abused, maijgned, misrepresented
and slandered because Of our adherence to the
democratic faith, but we never faltered. We
have submitted ourselves entirely to northern
leadership. We have never been permitted to
advance any ideas as to party policy or manage
ment. Whenever such thing was suggested,
hush @ You viii ruin Tsua US in the North We
have done the voting, and allowed our friends
in the North to have things their own way.
must recur to it in order to explain the sit
uatfon at the South. Well, in 1876, we
elected President: our northern friends
lost It. They allowed f tene the pupea9s III @
were neither dismayed nor discouraged; we con-
unued to carry the democratic banner aloft and
looked forward to the next presidential election
for victory that would recompense us for the
one Of which we were deprived The southern
leaders kept the party together and held both
houses Of Congress in spite of losses in the
North. And now, the year before the great
presidential fight, our leaders in New York fall
out and fight over few small offices; carried
their personal spites and jealousies into party
conveLtions divided the organization and suf
fered defeat where a splendid victory was easily
won. The result has been TO disgust the
southern democracy, and there is widespread
We are not willing to forever bear the ill-will
and suspicion of large portion of the northern
people in order that a few democrats in the
North may have something to quarrel over.'
Stdr:-"And you think the solid South is dis
solved?"
Ans.:-"No, do not; but it will require good
management to keep it solidly in the democratic
column next year. If there is patriotism enough
in the New York democracy to bring them TO-
gether; to harmonic their differences and give
us such leaders as promise success next year,
the party leaders in the South can keep their
followers in line. If, on the contrary, the dis
senttons in New York continue, then our only
hope of success is destroyed, and the South will
look out for herself"
Star" How, by joining in the Grant move
ment?"
Ans.-"The South to-day prefers Grant as
dictator to John Sherman or Roscoe COnkling as
President. Among the southern soldiery-those
who formed the southern armieS-there is a
great deal Of respect and reverence for General
Grant. He is soldier; brave man, full of the
generosity that always accompanies true cour-
age Weregard John Sherman and Conkling as
mere misunderstanding, wire pulling poll
ticians-who would build UP monied aristocra-
cy and let the county go to the dogs. There Is
nothing that could induce the people Of The
South to support either Sherman or Conkling."
S,ar:-"But they would support Grant?'
Ans.:-"Il preference to any other man OF
the republican party"
S.nr:-''Is there any movement among the
democrats towards Grant yet?"
ANS NO; but If it ever comes 1t will BE-
spontaneous. 1t will be when the South sees
that IL has nothing to hope for from the demo
cratic party; when they see that the people are
bent upon having centralized government
stronger governments; then they will move to
its support, and let me tell you the people OF
the South have less to fear from a strong gov
ernment than any other section. They are bet
ter adapted to living under that sort OF govern
ment think, than the North"
Sdr.-'Then you have but little hope of DEM
Ocratic victory?"
Ans.:'I have good deal Of hope of it, but it
will only be attained by the party proving itself
worthy OF confidence. II our great and power
offices, as in New York, we have nothing to
hope for"