The New York herald., 1879-12-16

our correspondent who is making tour OF
observation through the Southern States
confirms the impression made by his pre-
vious inquiries. As he penetrates further
into the South be finds the democratic senti-
ment toward General Grant not materially
different from what it is in the border
States. Writing from Charleston he reports
conversations with prominent citizens of
South Carolina, and they all bear in one
direction-namely, the absence of any
marked interest in General Grant on the
part of the Southern democrats and pre-
vailing Indifference to federal politics as
compared with local questions.
There is indeed evidence enough that
the Southern democrats would more easily
reconcile themselves to General Grant than
to any other republican President, but they
will support the democratic ticket unless
the candidates should be offensive to their
section. Nothing seems more certain than
that the Presidential battle is to be fought
on the old party lines in the South as well
as in the North. But If General Grant.
running as the regular republican can
didate-as he will if q candidate
at all-should be elected, the South
will accept the situation and hope
for the best There is an impression that
his extensive tours in foreign lands have
strengthened his inclination to cherish his
country as whole, and they would expect
from him n broad and patriotic administra-
ton. moderate in its partisanship so tar as it
would be partisan, and treating all sections
with impartial justice. If this expectation
should not be disappointed there will arise
o conservative Grant party in the South
after the election which will grow in
strength with the growing prosperity and
tranquility of that section. But they
nevertheless desire the election of q demo-
cratic President.
Previous information is also confirmed
as to she almost universal preference OF the
Southern republicans for General Grant.
Among the negroes the Grant sentiment is
unanimous and enthusiastic. The white
republicans of the South, who are but q
small minority of the party, share this
decided preference, with the exception
of the federal ofice-holders, who are for
Sherman. This is natural enough, as the
ofice-holders know on which side their
bread is buttered aud we're expected to
act after their kind. The attachment
of the small 'oAice-holding brigade
gives Mr.. Sherman seeming ad-
vantage in the election of delegates
to the National Convention, if activity and
intrigue are to control the choice. But
General Grants journey in the South may
upset all plans for packing the delegations
by official influence. The colored popula-
ton, who regard General Grant with o
feeling little short of alteration, will flock
in multitudes to every city and town which
gives him reception and to every railway
station where the train stops in which he
makes his journey. After the pleasure OF
setting their eyes on the man whom they
regard as the greatest hero that ever
lived, and as their own deliverer,
they will talk of little else for
months. and in the midst of this
ferment the Southern delegates will be
chosen to the Republican National Conven-
ton. The attempt Of the Philistines to
bind Samson with green withes was not
more vain than will be the attempts of a
few Southern ce-holders to restrain the
preference of colored voters for the man
to whom they believe they owe their free
dom. The Sherman men are not numerous
enough to circumvent and bull-doze the
negroes like their democratic neighbors,
nor can they quietly steal march on
them by packing secret caucuses after the
lively awakening which will attend General
Grants Southern tour. But if the South
ern republicans send delegates who really
represent their wishes it is as certain that
Grant will have the whole 1873 Southern
votes as it is that Republican National
Convention will be held. With a general
belief that Northern delegates enough will
be added to make these majority the
friends of the other candidates will feel
that resistance is hopeless, and the other
States will vie with one another in falling
into line for the inevitable nominee.
Things will take this turn unless some
plan can be devised for getting up sham
delegations from the South who will mis-.
represent the overwhelming, the unani.
nous preference of the colored population.
II the Republican National Committee,
which meets tomorrow in Washington, has
caught the Grant fever and makes choice Of
Don Cameron for its chairman, it is safe tc
predict that there will be no lack of ability
or money for SO organizing the Southern
republicans that their delegates to the
National Convention will express their rea
preference.
What II Operate "Indispositton 20
When Mr. Mapleson's season first opened
this winter there was much uncompliment
ary comment made upon some of the ma
terial com nosin1 his Italian onera trou "a