Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-26
Grant I'm the South.

A correspondent Of the Tribune 1t Mont
gomery, Alabama, represents the sentiment
1t the South a. unfavorable for Grant and
growing worse. He says:
In no part Of the country is the third-term
army Weakening 50 rapidly As in the South.
Il mast be understood in the first place that
the strength of the Grant movement in this
section has been purposely exaggerated by
the local democratic papers, which are the
main sources of information from which the
Northern press and people get their estimates.
Even the casual traveller through the South
will become convinced that the democrats
desire above all things the nomination If the
ex-President. They feel that in this nomi-
nation lies the main hope Of democratic sue
cess, and they have played for il skilfully BY
promising split in the Solid South # Grant
be put in the field. In pursuance OF this plan
the local papers have exaggerated the number
Of Grant delegates elected At the various con-
ventions, and have printed reports AZ to an
enthusiasm that never existed.
Il is Of course out of the question that
Grant can carry any Southern State that any
other republican candidate cannot carry. In
no Stste-saving virginia-is there the slight
est Foundation for sny such hope; while in
al Of the States south Of the line, no name
will 20 solidify the whites and so give them
energy - that of Grant. 1t must be remem-
bered that the Southern States are rotten
boroughs A. far as the republicans are con-
cerned. 81
The republican leaders In these States
have no hope Of carrying them with any NOM
nation. They feel that they have little
business in the National Convention except
to secure the goodwill of the winning man,
and consequent share Of patronage. While
there are honorable exceptions, this is true of
the bulk Of delegates from the South, and
they are quick to see a danger. signal
when it 10 hoisted in front of them.
The uutoward fate that has met the Grant
boom in the past ten weeks has closed the
mouth Of many Grant advocate down here,
and splits in the third term delegations from
the South are discussed in every State.
In Tennessee it is an open secret that three
former Grant delegates have promised to vote
for Blaine, making the delegation nine for
Blaine and fifteen for Grant. Of these latter
two are claimed for Sherman, and two have
suddenly becOf. nOn-cOmmittal, so that
Grant can really count on only eleven dele
gates, instead of the eighteen claimed when
the State convention adjourned. Exon
gresham ThOrnbnrgh, discussing this matter
expressed the belief that the delegation would
still give eighteen votes for Grant, but final
" confessed that the outlook for the third
term people was not nearly so bright as it
was two weeks ago. He said that he thought
the Grant men, in case Grant could not be
nominated, would go to Elmunds or WASH
burne.
In Georgia, Blaine has gained four votes,
it is said. Elk. Congressman Buck, the ablest
of the delegation, now claims that he will be-
gin with majority of Georgia's vote. Mr..
Bryant is not sure that this is true. as now as
certained, but says that he has eleven votes
pledged to Blaine in the Georgia delegation
without reserve. A trick of the Grant men
in that State is to urge that Judge Lochrane
secure an alternate's place, and in behalf of
the Empire State of the South second Grants
nomination when it is made by Mr.. Conkling,
Of the Empire State Of he Union.
might cite facts and opinions similar to
these from every Southern State through
which have passed, except Kentucky and
South Carolina, It is enough to say, how
ever, that it is plain that General Grant can
not count on the half that he hoped from the
South. The negroes have not developed any
Of the enthusiasm that it was claimed his
name would arouse. On the contrary, the
most prominent colored men in many Of the
States, and q large proportion in all the
States, are against his nomination. The
doubt already investing the chances of his
nomination Is disintegrating the squads that
his managers have collected.