Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-24

that he II not without Apprehension. Inc
exact proportions Of the material forced
from the democratic mass by the Jeffersonian
bridge is much Of an enigma to Gen Shelley
as to others. The outcome depends entirely
upon that. don't think the Stevens faction
will amount to anything The republicans as
a mass. white and bMck. will support the Lake
view ticket. and IL the Je1ersonians one
half ~ strong on the day Of election a. they
now claim to be Harrison will get Alabama's
electoral vote
From Another Point of View.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
MoNreoMERY, ALA, Oct %, 1892.
II 10 now less than three weeks to election
time. review of the political field In Alabama
win not be devoid Of interest just at this time,
whom call eyes are turned" in this direction
where so much 10 occurring to claim the stten-
ton Of those who mold the destinies Of the
republic. With the conditions that prevail here
and the abnormal causes that have inspired
them the country Is moro or less familiar. 1t
viii not, therefore, be necessary to extend this
retrospect beyond the period which separates
the present from q time when the situation In
Alabama differed not from that which prevailed
posed that impregnable fortress Of democracy
known - ''ths solid south"
TEE STATE CAMPAIGN.
Tho spectacle Of Q divided democracy in a
southern state WIS one well calculated to excite
the interest Of the country. 1t WAS, broadly
speaking, anomalous in recent history Of Amer
lean politics II indicated an innovation in
political customs that was . revelation to those
who pin faith to tradition, and 10 announced in
thunder tones, whose reverberations are still
heard throughout the land, that = revolution
WAS Ut hand This was the lesson Of tho Ala
bsma state election In August last and subse-
qusnt events have but served to point its moral.
Out Of the confusion Of political dtscord and
strife IL Is impossible to expect the quick re-
turn OF peace, and hence the bitter struggle ter
minating at the August polls and confined to
state or local issues only announced q renewal
Of hoetflitiee extended to party measures ma
tionsl in scope. The committees of the con-
tending fsotions were retained In power, the
overtures Of peace we're only talked Of and
never made, Independence Of each other was
declared anew and every preparation for q con-
tinuance Of war was ordered and immediately
begun
THE YIRsT GUS.
The state election was held on the sth Of
August The ofhcial result was announced two
weeks later. There had been only two tickets
in the field, and both we're denominated "dem-
ocratic." Thus far the republicans had "rested
on their arms" and the populists had not
claimed existence q distinct and separate
party. The interim between the time when the
official result was proclaimed and the 18th Of
September was spent by one side to the late en-
gagement In confirming the fruits of their de-
clared victory-by the other in rallying their
forces and endesvortng to recruit their army
by alliance which has since become famous
The "opening gun" Of the campaign was fred
In celebration Of this event at Lskeview. near
Birmingham, on September 15 II was a great
day in the political annals Of Alabama Gen.
Weaver was there. Mira Mary E. Lease was
there. Mr.. Kolb and Mr. Bowman we're there
Chairman Mossley thereby proxy. Some
prominent exponent Of every interest hostile to
the organized democracy was there. They
we're there for q purpose which was successfully
and its terms published. 1t stipulated
a deal between the Kolb democrats, the
Moseley republicans and the populists.
The former were to name the candidates for
Congress in the nine congressional districts,
the latter Jointly were to select the candidates
for presidential electors. The agreement was
promptly ratified and this notable convention
proceeded TO execute the terms. The ticket was
made and a united support pledged. From that
hour the democracy of Alabama has been con-
fronted with an opposition which challenges it
to an extent that has never before been known
THE REPUBLICAN SPLIT.
After the Iakeview event the campaign had
not progressed far before friction was discov-
cred in the execution Of the plan outlined by
the convention. Trouble developed from an
unexpected quarter, and it of character
which if not corrected would weaken the coali-
ton against the organized democracy. The
cause originated in the canvass for delegates to
the Minneapolis convention. The republicans
of Alabama divided in their choice for
nominee Of that convention. Chairman
MOseley represented the faction which
favored PRECEDENT Harrison. William J.
Stevens, colored, led the Blaine wing
of his party. Dual conventions were
held and two sets of delegates sent 20 Mime
apols. The Moseley delegates were admitted
This recognition by the national party of Moseley
of course did not please the Stevens following
and failed to cement the republican breach
Both factions continued as before the national
convention. each offcered by its own officials
and each claiming to be 1.-The republican party
Of Alabama" In LOYALTY to the national ticket
they were unit. and but for the Lakeyiew coali-
ton convention would doubtless have supported
the same electoral ticket. In arranging the
fusion program Moseley was consulted a. the
Official head of his party in Alabama. Stevens
and his followers resented this as an affront to
their faction ami proceeded 10 denounce Moseley
for his treachery to President Harrison: they
followed this with reputation OF the I.akeview
deal and nominated electors and congre sionsI
candidates OF their own. This served to kindle
anew the MOseley-Steyens feud. and the family
quarrel Of the republicans in Alabama today is
marked by rancOr and bitterness that
rttAl- W NcAN tupEts At rSCOncllldtlO'
The Iakeview leaders we're quick to appreciate
the effect OF stevens opposition to their coal
ltion. Erorts were Immediately begun look
ing 20 union of the republicans. Proposition
after proposition made: oyertures were
exchanged and every eIpedient that diplomacy
could suggest was brought into exercise. The
national republican executive committee sent a
Distinguished representative in the person Of
Mr.. Chris Nagee. bearing the olive branch as a
token and desire from the national party
leaders. Several conferences followed Mr.
Magee'- visit. and conclayes were held to which
representatives TO both sides OF the quarrel
were admitted. This manifestation in the
interest Of republican peace has so far been
only indiffereutly rewarded: Beyond a few
prominent desertions to Mosely, Stevens bel
hserent supporters firm in their oppo-
sltion to the Lakeview ticket ever. and the
recent action Of Chairman Carter's commit tee
in officially recognizing Chairman Mosely has
made II impossible to unity republicans in
favor OF fusion in Alabama.
STRENGTH OF THE FUsIoNIsTs.
Notwithstanding this serious breach in pow
erful element to the Lakeview coalition the
democratic party in Alabama is confronted by
a powerful and splendidly organized oppo-
sition. This is a fact that no obseryant person
will for moment deny. Probably not less than
65 per cent of the koib democrats in Alabama
are loyal in their support of the anti-demo-
cratic ticket. This estimate does not include q
considerable element who call themselves pop
u.I-ts but who have not actively affiliated with