The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-29
II. Can Break the Solid south.

few Of our friends in tho South profess
20 think that their only doubt In regard to
tho adylsabiity OF renomlnating Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND Is their doubt as to his ability to carry
this State. We assume that they nre aware
OF the fact that he was badly beaten in this
State in 1888. and that his political fortunes
have been falling since that time and rap
Idly falling since 1890. But even II he could
carry New York for the Democrats by as
large q majority as he can carry It for the
Republicans. his nomination would be mad
visable and indeed impossible II ordinary
prudence inspired. rs we assume that 1t will
inspire. tho course OF the Southern dele
gates to the National Convention. We in
vite such OF them as are still disposed to
look with favor upon the protensions Of the
Claimant to examine q fow figures showing
the Democratic pluralities In certain South
ern States In 1884 and In 1885,
irginis........."........... S.ooi 1889
West virginia. A,22l 0oo
North Cerouns. IheoS ioiie
MARYLAND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. His ols2
The demonstrated weakne OF Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND in Virginia and West Virginia should
be In itself sufficient to convince Southern
Democrats OF the folly OF renoninating him.
In West Virginia the situation will be
sufficiently ticklish with tho strongest
candidate. Tho Hon. STEPHEN Is. ELKINs
Is a forceful and sagacious politician. and
he would be pleased to SEQ Mr. CLEVELAND
In the race. In North Carolina the Farm
ers' Alliance possesses great power. and tho
nomination OF Mr.. CLEVELAND. the candi-
date most Objectionable to the majority OF
the Democrats In that body. would proba-
bly, give the State to the Republicans. Col.
Polk. the President and perhaps tho most
prominent leader Of the Alliance in tho
South, will be. 1t Is announced. candidate
for the nomination OF the Peoples party;
and II he Is, the Tar Heel Democrats will
have sufficient trouble. and CLEVELAND
would make their case hopeless.
We also direct the attention of the South
ern Democrats to the fact that in 1883.
SEAY. Democratic candidate for Governor
OF Alabama. received 155.973 votes. willie
CLEVELAND received only ll7.3aO; and In
Louisiana. in the spring OF 1883. NICHOLS.
candidate for Governor. got l37257 votes.
while in the full Of tho same year CLEVELAND
got only s5.032.
Why. even in Kentucky CLEvELAND's
plurality was G.l73 less in 1888 than in 1884
II the friends OF the Claimant think or
strive to lead others to think. that he could
carry Virginia. West Virginia. and North
Carolina in 1899. they either forget the facts
and the figures. or they are the victims Of
illusion. Have they forgotten or merely |
found it convenient not to remember that |
South Carolina has solcmnly protested |
against Mr.. CLEVELAND! In the South as |
in the North he is the weakest candidate |
that could be selected. II lie notorious |
fact that he cannot carry his own State is |
not sufficient disqualification. he has tho |
additional disqualification OF having re-
duced the Democratic plurality in Virginia |
and West Virginia To- almost nothing, and |
Of being unable to carry from two to four
Southern States. This year he has changed |
Rhode Island from Il Democratic State to a
Republican State. and was almost equally |
successful in the NirGinas in 1883. Give |
him one more chance aud he will break the |
solid South and turn over three or four |
Democratic States To the Republicans.