New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-29
Grant IND THE SOrTH.

Some supporters of General Grant observe
that there is in his behalf no unanlmity OF
feeling nor strong manifestation of preference
among the Southern Republicans. This sur
priees them, apparently, and they seem little
disposed to question the grnuneness oil the
Interference shown for other candidates. But
what was tire history of President Grant All
ministrauOns with respect To the interests OF
Southern Republicans 1t cannot be claimed
that they found themselves stronger, more
hopeful. better protected in their civil or pO-
litical rights. or more sure OF rcsOiute defence
by the majority of the Northern people when
General Grant left the White House than
when he entered it. Eight Southern States
voted for General Grant when he was iiist
elected, while three others were then and al
forwards under Republican cOntiOl, though
their electoral votes were not then received.
Still another, Louisiana, was really Repub-
lican St,te in 1868 and afterwards, though
temporarily deprived of its rightful voice by
climbs of assassns. But Of these twelve states
not one remained under the rule OF Republic
cans at the close of the second term OF Gen
oral Grant except the three which voted Tor
President HAYES, and even in those States the
course Of President Grant, as publicly declared
before he retired from Office, suiiiced to in
sure the Inauguration of Democratic Cover
nors and governments. In plain truth, the
Rennbhcan party of the South was almost an
inhibited under General Grants Presidency.
For what reason can Southern Republicans
desire another term of Grant, They have
nothing more to lose, in some districts or
States but in some they still retain organlza-
ton and "a measure of influence. DO they de-
sire to be driven even from the narrow iO0thOld
which they retain at the SOuthf 1T Is not
strange if they conclude that this would be
the result of a third term since two terms
so nearly extnguished them. Surely 1t IL
most natural for them to desire some other
President and some other policy than are
offered by the advocates Of the third term.
The Federal Offices can be filled with Repub-
cans as well by one Republican President as
by another. But the voters, and the really
intelligent leaders of the party at the South,
want something better than a few scattered
crumbs of patronage They desire, and
rightly, something better than temporary
place at the public crib. They want the gov
eminent of their own States, the control of
their own Legislatures, courts and local Off
Gals. the management OF their own school
svstems. They want the Republican party to
take such a course that they, the Southern
Republicans shall not remain forever ostra-
cised and virtually distranchised, but shall
have opportunity to build up "A strong pOliti-
cal party and moral and intellectual support
in appealing to other citizens at the South to
ioin them. Would the nomination OF General
Grant promise them any of these thingsR On
the contrary, 1t would promise only return
to the same mistaken policy which was pur-
sued for eight years, until the Republicans
had been badly beaten both at the South and
at the North. If a strong hand is wanted in
dealing with the Southern problem, II surely
Is not that hand which wrought complete
overthrow Of the loyal party throughout the
South. The mistakes Of General Grant, In
dealing with that problem. have made the
Republican party almost powerless at the
South, and there is no guarantee that they
would not be repeated. What Is needed IL a
leadership not only strong enough, but wise
enough to give the party In that section new
opportunities and new strength.
But the chief reason, after oil, for the pref
erence which Southern Republicans manifest
for other candidates, is that they realize more
keenly than Republicans of the North that
candidate ought to he nominated whose ciec-
ton ehall be certain. Here III peaceful and