New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-24
GRANT IN THE SOUTH.

NO HOPE OF Ills CARRYING ANY SOUTHERN bIAIE-
THE DEMOCRATS ANXIOUS TO HAVE HIM NOM
MATED, AS BEING EASY TO BEAT-How THINGS
LOOK TO A ATRAvELLER-JUDGE FIELDS CHANCES.
lFRon AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
MONTGOMERY, Ala, May 19.-In no part of the
country is the third-term army weakening so
rapidly as in the South. 1t must be understood in
the first place that the strength of the Grant move
ment 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 esti-
mates. Even the casual traveller through the
South will become convinced that the Dem
ocrats desire above all things the nomination of the
ex-President. They feel that in this nomination
lies the main hope of Democratic success and they
have PLAYED for It skilfully by promising split in
the Solid South If Grant be put in the field In pur-
suance of this plan the local papers have exagger
ated the number of Grant delegates elected at the
various Conventions and have printed reports to
an enthusiasm that never existed.
is of course out of the question that Grant can
carry any Southern State that any other Republican
candidate cannot carry. In no State-saving Vir-
pna-is there the slightest foundation for any such
hone while In all of the States south of the line
name will so solidify the whites and so give them
energy as that of Graut 1t must be remembered
that the Southern States are rotten bOroughs as far
as the Republicans are concerned.
The Republican leaders In these States have no
hope of carrying then with any nomination.
They feel that they have little business in
the National Convention except to secure the
GOODWILL Of the winning man, and &'eonse-
ouent share of patronage. While there are
honorable exceptions, this is true OF the bulk of
delegates from the South, and they quick to
danger signal when 1t is hoisted in front Of them.
The untoward 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 1t Is 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 claimed for Sher
man, and two have suddenly become non-commit-
tai so that Grant can really count on only eleven
delegates instead Of the eighteen claimed when the
State Convention adjourned. Ex-Congressman
Tbornburgh, discussing this matter, expressed the
belief that the delegation would still give eighteen
votes for Grant, but finally confessed that the out
look for the third-term people was not nearly 30
bright as it was two weeks ago. He said that lie
Thought the Grant men. in case Grant could not be
nominated, would 90 to Edmunds or Washburne.
In Georgia Blaine has gained four votes, IL IS
said. Ex-Congressman Buck the ablest of the del
eeation, now claims that he will begin with ma
iority of Georgia's vote. Mr. Bryant is not sure
that this is true. ascertained, but says that
he has eleven votes pledged to Blaine IN the Geor-
eia delegation without reserve 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 nOmina-
tion when it is made by Mr.. Conkling. ofthe Empire
State of the Union.
/ might cite facts and opinions similar to these
from every Southern State through which
have passed, except Kentucky and South Carolina.
1t is enough to say, however. that 1t is plain
that General Grant cannot count on the half that
have not developed any of the enthusiasm
that Ii was clamed 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
domination Is disintegrating the squads that his
There is another change working in political
sentiment, in the South that deserves notice. re-
fer to the desertion Of 1ilden by many Democrats
There is no doubt that Iilden is to-day the
strongest candidate in the South for the
mSSrdd0 bs %ond CONTROL every delegation MT. BayaTd
being his only rival in the popular mind But all
tboughtful men have at last to believe that he
cannot be elected unless he heals the split in the
ranks ia New-York The most abundant evidences
have been furnished lately that this breach.
instead Of being bridged, is daily growing
wider and. in consequence, many of Mr..
TYIden,s best friends have deserted his cause,
and are looking about for more available cam
didate MIR. Joseph Z. Johnson the chairman of the
time aTo made a tour through New-York to see
what the outlook was. Although @ hs left Alabama
9 1iiden man, ne returned satisfied Shat II would
%ss W eO1Tinccd that Judge Field was probably
the safest man upon whom the choice o9pld
and Courier, The Memphis appeal: and. other
leading papers also openly advocate his nomination
Governor ColQuit6 OF Georgia, and the supreme
Court Judges Of that State are unanimous IN ms
Governor Marks. Of Tennessee said % me month
hQo that the Democrats could win with fieio' out