Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-14
soUrH CAROLINA FOR GRANT
The Masses Favor the Ee- Prestdent-fo
Chance for Sherman.
JNh, RI Snecial Fen. ~

The Masses FAVOR the Er-PreStdene-no
Chance for Sherman
Charleston Special, Feb. u
There is deplorable lack of unanimity
of sentiment and purpose, and O general
feeling of distrust and insecurity, among the
old Republican leaders in this region. They
seem to be, with few honorable exceptions,
unequal to the emergency of the times. In
stead of dealing with facts as they are, they
devote time to theories az they would have
them. Ia the place of pro6ting by the ia
multi and confusion in the ranks of the oppo-
sition party some waste valuable time IN
perfecting petty schemes TO retain
or secure Office. Men who, by reason
of station, wealth, and superior IL
telligenee, welded much influence among
the more intelligent class of Republicans
-ex- Con gresham Wallace, the veteran
winsmith, Judge Melton, Maj. w. Earle,
A. Blythe, s. L. Pomier. for instauce-and
| whose counsels would be of inestimsble
| value in the present crisis, have virtually
Withdrawn from the political arena for
various reasons. A few claim that ii is not
respectable to be found in the company OF
| Elliot, Nash, and company after the exposure
| by the Cochrane committee, and others deem
| it time and labor lost to attempt to wrest the
State from the grasp of the Democracy. All
agree. however, that with proper
management, and all possible
safeguards, the First, Second. and
Fifth Congressional districts are
safe for the Republicans. Col. E. w.
Mackey will undoubtedly be renominated in
the Second, and he expresses himself per-
fectly confident of success. Ex-Congress-
man Smells is equally firm in the belief of
his ability to carry the Fifth district. The
Frs district has large Republican MAORI
ties in the counties OF Darlington, George
town, Sumter and Williamsburg, while in
the other counties-C Chesterfield, Horny,
Marion and Marlboro-the strength of both
parties is about equally divided.
The feeling of distrnst and insecurity al
luded to prevails largely in Charleston coun-
ty. One of the most prominent Republicans
in the State, who is not seeking office, stated,
in conversation last evening, that several
trustworthy colored men had informsd him
that Republican officer, who holds one OF
the most lucrative offices in the county, and
who wields large Influence amongthe Igno-
rant cOlored voters on the surrounding
islands, was ready to sell out to the Denoc-
racy, provided they assisted him to retain his
place. "Taking his general character into con-
sideration," added the gentleman, IL have
no reason to doubt the truth of the informa
ltion. I am only afraid that LIE will resort to
underhand Methods which, owing to the ig-
norance of the island voters, en- not we'll be
counteracted, or discovered in time to pre-
vent the imposition In reply to the qu=s-
, ton az to whom he deemo. most favored by
the masses as candidate for the Presiden-
; cy, he said: "The masses favor Grant, OF
course, though he is not my choice, but the
so called leaders will not stop to consult
popular opinion when interest is at stake.
shall advise our delegates to the national
convention to abstain from voting when the
nominations are made. The Northern
and Western people know beat who viii
suit them most for President, ene
they ought to, and probably will, re-
sent auy presumptuous dictation from sec
ton that can give them no aid in the elec
tion.'' This opinion seems to be general,
approved by the class of Republicans who
have no favors to ask from new admins
tration. Federal office-holders are asgra
vatingly non committal on the subject; two
however, expressed preference for Blaine
, The shipping commissioned. who holds hi
, appointment under the Uuited States circui
, court. and consequently has no need to fea
} the official axe, said: "The colored people
want Grant, aud they will vote for Blaine o.
any stalwart Republican, but they have no us'
for Sherman. People think because they
can't read or write they are ignorant, but lei
me tell you there is not 8 negro in South
, Carolina to-day who does not know that
Sherman was instrumental in the surrender
of the State, and they will not vote for hirl
Politicians may promise Sherman what thel
please, bat the masses will not be bound By
such promises"
Senator Bayard seems to be the choice Of
the leading Democrats in this State. o.
forty-two-including prominent awyers
merchants and jurists-three favored Hen
bricks, seven Seymour, two any one nomi
mated, and the others were for Baysrd.