Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-27
Florida Politics.

a careful review of the political situa-
ton in Florida presents a very encourage
ing prospect. The Democrats are every
where organized, active and aggressive.
The Independents and Republicans, on
the contrary, are respondent, Gull and
demOraIized. The combination of the lat
ter elements, an unnatural union from the
beginning, is daily showing the evidences
Of internal weakness, and bids fair to
break into fragments before the
close of the campaign. Col.
Bisbee, who favored the
fusion for his own selfish purposes, in a
speech delivered at Jacksonville a few
weeks since, declared that the Republic
cans would cast 90 Of every 100 votes
received by Pope. This is good author
itv. and will give Pope following in the
state Of about 500 from those who have
10! merIv been considered Democrats. We
have good reasons for believing that even
this number, small as it is, has been ex-
aggerated.
As an Offset to the few assertions from
the Democratic ranks, many Of the better
class of white Republicans are declaring
their purpose to support Gen. Perry, and
are Ieaping over the fence by hundreds.
These men, who are intelligent, conserva-
tive property holders, openly declare that
they will not trust their interests to any
candidate who has such a backing as
those who compose Pope's adherents.
Besides these, Cheney, Eagan, Varnum,
Alden, and other old leaders and high
priests Of the Republican party. cannot
stuItify themselves by indorsing a
movement that announces in its
platform that the organization
Of which they were bright and shining
lights. was corrupt" and that each cleo
ton during its administration Of eight
wears was marked by fraud" These
gentlemen are in direct opposition to
Pope, and perceive in the amalgamation
the possible disintegration of the party to
which they have so long been attached.
Their attitude has the tendency OF de-
moralizing the negroes, who are
beginning to understand that Pope
is only half-hedged Republi-
can. and will only support that
ticket. so far as the GubernatOrial n0mi-
nations are concerned. They cannot IN
derstand why he should expect their
votes. and at the same time refrain from
advocating the claims of their PTesiden-
tial and Congressional candidates. His
position Is peculiar. In his endeayor to
conciIIate both parties he is placed in
serious dilemma. The fact is that Pope
is trying to play in a very feeble and awk-
ward manner the part that Malone plays
in Virginia.
The opening sof Pope's campaign
was accompanied with considerable
flourish of trumpets and some degree of
enthusiasm. but the bubble has already
collapsed, and the farce is being played
to empty or scautily-filled houses. His
first speech in Jacksonville attracted
large audience, his second in the same
city was heard by less than a hundred.
The rank and file of the negroes applaud
his charges against the Democrats, but
he makes most lamentable and laugha-
bic failure when he poses before intelli-
gent persons as refOrmer.
With a very few exceptions, all of the
old experienced and efficient members Of
the Republican State Committee had
resigned, and their places have been
supplied by others of little weight and
influence. These men base their with
drawal on various pretexts, but the truth
is that they are unwilling to invest labor
and money in a contest which they con-
slider absolutely hopeless, and which,
even If successful, would be detrimental
rather than advantageous to their in
terests. private and political.
The Republican National Committee
have vet seen no reason to extend any aid
to Florida, and without ''the sinews of
war" their troops in that State will prove
very unreliable warriors.
While it is true that POpe's chances are
.'growing small by degrees and beauti-
fully less" daily, this fact should not en-
courage apathy or want of effort on the
part Of the Democrats. On the contrary,
it should inspire them to redOubled exer-
tons. A great victory is what the Demo-
Gratis IF Florida ourht to win.