Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-04-08
Cleveland in the South.

General Henry kyd Douglas, OF
Hagerstown, who has just returned
from an extended trip through the
Southern States, was interviewed the
other dav by a correspondent OF the
Baltimore sun. When asked as TO
the feeling Of the people upon the
question of the next Democratic can
didate for President, he replied in
substance as follows: Il happened
to 20 South in the wake of Senator
Hill. visited some of the cities in which
he spoke and saw intelligent persons
who had heard him in the others.
gathered but one opinion as 10 his
trip to Jackson and back. The visit
was p political blunder and its effect
was disastrous to his candidacy. II
is safe to say that the only impression
he made was an injurious one. he
made no new friends and lost many
who were very partial to nm before.
They saw and heard him. His visit
tested the proverbial hospitality OF
the South, for while they received him
cordially. | am assured that it was
very difficult III places TO restrain the
outbursts of Cleveland sentiment APP
parent everywhere. The people OF
the South are used to OratOry, for
they have much Of it among them.
Senator Hill is not an orator, and his
speeches created no enthusiasm. |
found the people very much amused
at the reports in some of the North
ern papers of the wild enthusiasm of
his reception, for it had escaped their
observation. Once, early i'll the trip,
a speaker unguardedly mentioned Mr..
IN 4 thfl w
was an outburst which startled the
traveller and his friends. The warming
was needed, aud never again during
the Journey was the name OF CleVe-
land spoken aloud. | was told that
in some places 1t took the counsel OF
lrudent men who did not wish their
hospitality TO be questioned to pre-
vent all OutburSt of nurrahS for Cleve-
land. For Mr.. Hill the pilgrimage
was a failure; for Mr. Cleveland 1t
was a fortunate event. 1t set every
one TO talking about the presidency,
and brought the masses OF the people
to the front. | met but one man after
the trip who was for Hill. Some who
had been for him, although not tor
Cleveland, are now for German, or
Palmer. or Russell The few prOml-
neut papers that were outspOken for
the New York Governor have virtual
Nv left him. The Mobile Register has
abandoned him, and has since had an
editorial for Palmer, OF Illinois. The
Atlanta Constitution Is still striking
at Clevelandism, but is looking for
another candidate. They evidently
think Senator Hill no longer posi-
ble candidate. His Southern tour
finished him.
AS for Cleveland, | had no idea
that he had such "a hold upon the
masses of the Southern voters III the
cotton States. | knew the leading
papers in Knoxville, Chattanooga,
Montgomery, New Orleans, Memphis,
and Atlanta Journal and others were
for him, but | had been led to be-
lieve the people were against hlm on
free silver, the sub-treaSury scheme,
the Farmers Alliance, &c. 1t Is not
so. There, as here, the masses OF the
people are for MISUNDERSTANDING
for him They admire his manliness,
cleanness and courage of convictions.
You know they like hard hltters
down there, and he seems TO I'LL the
bill. had the assurance OF 1t every
where. | heard no assertion to the
contrary
The only doubt heard was as to
his availa bility. The democrats want
a democratic President, and TO those
of the South it is of vital Importance.
This is supreme consideration TO
them, to which they subordinate their
personal and political preferences.
Here and there | discovered grave
fear of treachery in New York If Cleve-
land were nominated, and then the
name of some one else was suggested
more frequently that OF German, the
foe of the force bill. than any one else,
and occasionally Palmer, Gray or
Russell. Any good democrat can carry
the South, for they see the Importance
of subordinating even matters OF great
interest to them to the national sue
cess of the party. They will vote tor
either of the gentlemen named-per-
hapS for German with special enthu-
siasm while remembering the force
bill-but whatever the politicians may
achieve in the selection of delegates,
the great fighting mass of the people
are for Cleveland. If some other can
didate will go South on a tour for
votes he will so solidify political sen
timent as to make the nomination OF
the ex-President an absolute certain