Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-18
The Southern Situation,

There are numerous political strawS, OF late,
showing that the wind OF popular favor In the
south is blowing Grantwards. When. a rev
weeks ago, the Atlanta Constitution asserted
that there was In the democratic party Oh the
south an element favorable towards Gen. Grant
rs a presidential candidate, the statement was
met with ridcule by the northern press gene
rally; but recent events and expressions prove
that the Constitution was well-fnfOrmed as to
the political feeling in its section OF country. 1t
Is quite evident that there Is within the demo-
cratic party south sentiment friendly to Gen.
Grant; 1t has not yet crystalized into move
ment to support him for the presidency, but it
may develop into that Very many Of the south
ern democratic leaders now in Washington
quietly acknowledge the existence OF this senti-
ment, but they maintain that 1t is but tempo
rary; that the recent successes Of the republican
party have created, In the south a fear of
solid north and despair OF future democratic
SUCCESS; that good management On the part OF
democratic leaders will revive the hopes Of the
party south, and with this revival courage will
return and the Grant talk" will be heard OF no
more. This definition of the Grant feeling in the
southern states is, no doubt, very nearly accu-
rate. II the party managers can so shape af-
fairs as to induce reasonable belief that any
democrat can be elected next year, they will
probably be able to carry every southern
state for their Ticket The democratic
majoritieS in nearly all those states are very
large, and they can afford to lose great many
voters and still hold the states; BESIDES the DEM
OcratS OF those states who control the election
machinery VIII use 1t In the interest of their
party. Therefore nothing but tidal wave, a
wholesale uprising OF the voters in support Of
Gen. Grant, would be able to win for him any OF
the electoral votes of the south. That such an
uprising may occur, even that it Is probable,
southern democrats who believe in maintaining
their party organization under all circum-
stances, admit. Should the democratic factions
in New York continue their warfare, and refuse
to harmonic, then all hope of the success OF
the party is gone. The southern people
realize this, and, abandoning democracy,
would turn to General Grant, whom, it
Is admitted, they admire and respect.
The desire to end sectionaliSm and forever bury
said, would be the motive of southern voters in
supporting Gen. Grant, and this motive Will
very likely prompt many of them 70 such
course, in spite OF all democratic influences.
Some or the southern democrats who speak out
In advocacy OF making Gen. Grant q ''unani-
nous President" will give him their support
and influence. regardless of what the nationaI
democracy may do. 1t is hardly probable that
these men, in the face of democratic unity in
the north, will be able to carry enough of their
old party associates with them TO control any
electoral votes; still they may accomplish that.
But whether they do or not, it is plain that the
political SOlidity of the south Is pierced with a
large crack and that 1t will fall to pieces within
year or two