The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-25

Politics in the South Is, for the first time
in many years, at boiling heat The sox
popufi il asserting itself. Before the war
the Ieaders-ths aristocrats-named the
men for place. and the people-the voters
elected them without asking question or
daring to offer an objection. Latterly there
has been disposition cropping out to dis
sent from the opinions of the select few
who have claimed the right to name the
men and make the platforms for the
Southern voters. The Alexander Stephens,
the Robert Tocmbs and the Wade
Hampton influence in Georgia appears
now to be at discount and the people are
looking about them for relief from an aris-
tocratic oligarchy. The result is that IN
Georgia and South Carolina what is known
as the Farmers Alliance has taken decided
and deliberate issue with the Democracy
on the sub-treasury bin, and as the Democ-
racy "of those states is out and out against
the monstrosity. !" the Alliance has put can
didates in the field and is making the most
vigorous campaign ever known in the
South.
The great influence of Wade Hampton
and General NJ. G. Butler in South Caro-
lima, and of General John B. Gordon in
Georgia, can not suppress the spirit of
political liberty, and has not been powerful
enough to stay the revolt against the
oligarchy of politicians that has so long
dominated that section OF the country.
In South Carolina. Ben Tillman,
brother of Congressman Tillman. South
ern-born mana man of ed ucation, fearless,
and honest-has broken with the Democ-
racy, and has charged that 'aristocracy"
with fraud and corruption, and is now on
the stump defending himself against the
organized Democracy of the state. The
campaign is the hottest ever known in the
state, and if TilIman, who is man Of I'M
doubted courage is not pushed into fight
and killed, it is not improbable that he will
be elected governor of South Carolina. He
is game man, but there are hundreds of
other game men opposed to him, and if the
gauntlet which he will be forced to run is
passed, it will be miracle. Should Till
man be elected, the result may be two or
more congressman from South Carolina for
the Republicans.
In Georgia the congressional race is as
hot as the campaign in South Carolina.
In the Atlanta district particularly there is
.blood on the moon," and whether Judge
Stewart. the Democrat. or Colonel Living
stone, the Alliance candidate, will win, is
question of serious import to Southern
politicians. Judge Stewart is Baptist
preacher to commence with, and the dis
trict is strongly Baptist. He is lawyer
of good repute, a thorough gentleman. and
the best campaigner now in Georgia Gordon
excepted), and he is making the fight for
the salvation Of the Georgia Democracy.
This appears to be the ''fieId of Waterloo
in Georgia." and If Livingstone defeats
Stewart, the result will be serious for the
Democracy, as there are aspirants of
ability in every other congressional district
in Georgia who will go in on the
Alliance horse and win If they
have Livingstone for a hacker. Living
stone is cunning and able politician.
OF course, he processes the greatest de-
votion to the Democracy. but at present he
is coquetting with the farmers. and as he
is very strong among them, his election is
not at all improbable, for he has assailed
the Southern Democracy in its greatest
stronghold, and if he wins there are many
other aspirants for political honors who
will contest for preferment from beyond
ths party lines.
Altogether, spirit of independence
seems to be coming over the white voter of
the South and the outlook for the Bourbon
Democracy is not all that its leaders could
wish.