New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-16
PARTIES IN THE SOUTH.
A TALK WITH EX-GOVERNOR BROWN, or TENNIS
sEE-THE SOUTH MIsUNDEBsTOOD-HENDR
THE FAVORITF IN TENNESSEE.

A TALK WITH EX-GOVERNOR BROWN, OF TENNIS
sEE-THE SOUTH MIsUNDEBsTOOD-HENDR
THE FAvORITE IN TENNESSEE.
The Hon. John G. Brown. Ex-Governor of Tennes-
see was in the city yesterday on his way to Wash
ington. Besides having held the Office of Governor
of his State Mr.. Brown was one of the leading
Southern representatives, at the st. Louis Demo-
cratic Convention in 1876, when Tllden and Hen
bricks were nominated He was found at the
Everett House last evening. When asked to give
for The TRIBUNE some account of political and
other affairs at the South, he said:
81 am not in politics at present. Ny time now is
given to the Texas and Pacific Railroad with which
am connected. But as to public political opinion
at the South regarding Presidential candidates, ]
can say without hesitation that it is very greatly
divided. Among the Democrats the favOrites are
Hancock Hendricks, Bayard, Thurman and lilden.
Mr. Tilden has many supporters there, but il Is i'm
possible thus early to get anything like an idea Of the
state of public opinion regarding these men. The
partisan of any one of them might come here and
tell You that our people favor this that one;
but he would only be telling you his own opinion,
not that of the people The reason of this is that
there has been scarcely any discussion of these sub
jects among us"
Are there any Indications" was asked. that
Mr. Tilden has begun to work for his own interests
in Tennesseep
There are none" was the reply; /" at least moth
ing has appeared on the surface but am satisfied
that Tennessee has her mind already made up AS
in 1876, to-day, she is firm supporter of Hen
bricks for President There has been change in
the public sentiment as between Iilden and Hen
bricks. But in regard TO the other candidates, no
discussion has taken place. Among the Republic
cons Grant has many followers but that party is i'm
a decided minority The Democrats have majority
of 40. 900 to 10000 in Tennessee. The pTObabiil-
ties that this will remain the same next year.
But very much vail depend upon the candidates
and the platforms. This is not only the case in Ten
nessee, bat throughout the South. The people of
the South have made up their minds to support
the party that will help their material interests the
most. This IS what they seek most earnestly now.
With this object in view they VIII look very closely
INTO the antecedeuts of each candidate, and they
viii analyze critically each party platform. That
which a decided promise to them OF prosperity
will receive the full measure of their support and
devotion. TINS sentiment, among the masses, over
shadow all party feelings"
ibid the South approve the actions oftbe last Con-
gress
at did. The Southern people generally were sat
ls6ed with the action OF the Democratic majority
IN Congress"
"How is the feeling between parties at the
SOuthf Z"
FWLy. you at the North seem to think that Re
publcans and Democrats among the bItteTest
of enemies but It Is not so. Oar personal relations
other things being equal, are of the peasantest
kind They are not based on party politics. We
are too far away from reconstruction and the war
for that. In the South, III the North true gem
ueman, whatever Ills pOlllCs may pt! - lOcSiNcu
everywhere, and IS socially recognized. There
never was people so mIsrepresented as the people
Of the South have been. The stories OF troubles
among US have been greatly exaggerated"
Glow are the greenback aud silver questions re-
garded at the south 7"
"We have a Greenback element in Tennessee
scattered throughout the State but 1t 10 not of any
great strength. II is not strong enough TO control
auy one congressional district, and therefore we do
moi fear it, Ii represents the dissatisfied element IN
both parties at the South. and Is larger among the
Democrats because they are IN the majority. In re-
gard TO silver the mass Of the Southern people ia
yOr the bimetallic currency, aud approve the aC-
tious of Congress in the matter. There Is scarcely
a divided sentiment upon the subject"
Is there any general alarm III IehhesSee ABOUT
the yellow lever y -, ,
There is not Ii is confined TO the ueighbOrhOod
of Memphis aud no fears entertained OF It's ex-
tending But throughout tennessee there Is the
most widespread sympathy for the sufferers"
"Will the Nero exodus have an injurious elect
upon the crops tins year y
- think not. The stories abont the flight of the
negroes have been greatly exaggerated. DO not
think it will amount to much. Ii s confined mostly
70 one region"
What is the general condition Of the South at
the present tlme y
In Tennessee there is no marked improvement