The Portland daily press., 1895-11-01
SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS.
s.;d. Will Assume a Passive Attitude
in National Convention.

Washington, October 31.-The Star says
that touching the attitude Of the South
j., the next Republican national conven-
zion that the Southern Republicans will
occupy an attitude Of inquiry and pa
+ience rather than that of aggressive
king making. She.is.to give less ocoa-
sion than heretofore, for the harsh criti-
cism that is always bestowed on thunder
inc too loudly in the index. Said gentle
man. who is likely to be delegate to
the next convention:
"The main purpose and desire of the
Southern Repu blicans next year will be
To ascertain what man would prove
strongest as presidential candidate in
those states to which he must look for
the votes to elect him. That will..be the
noint, and thinksthe South will readi-
" ooncede it. Why should she hesitate
to do so? Any good Republican standing
for the party's principles ought to. satisfy
1.-THE thing to be considered is the par
ty success at the polls, and::as our chan
ces, as matters stand, are against our be-
ing able to do much for the candidates
here, why should we assist in manipula-
ting the convention so as to bear de-
cisive part in naming him? l, for one, am
opposed to any such course, and shall use
my influence to try and prevent it if it
should seriouslyfbe proposed. I have no
desire, Of course, to belittle my party in
nv section, nor do propose that it's
delegates go to the next convention and
simply suck their thumbs and look on.
But we ought not to carry ourselves SO
as to foment strife, or to permit our
selves to be used toward foisting man
upon party as its candidate who is not
thoroughly and entirely acceptable to
those sections upon which we must de-
pend for his election. We are to be sup
can for anyb body the convention may put
up, and.if we succeed in rendering some
real service at the polls,sO much the bet
ter for him, the party and for ourselves.
But no definite calculation will be based
on us in considering the problem of suo-
cess, and hence it will work no injustice
to us to leave us in a..measure out Of the
calculations respecting the nomination. I"
'tYou think, then, that the Southern
Republicans will. as a.rule. go to the next
national convention uninstructed.
II do At any rate, I most earnestly
hope they may. "
They ought to go,there..to consult about
the party's good and not to announce
their individual preferences. That, of
course, should lie the attitude of all the
delegates, from one section as from an
other, hut in sections reliably Republi-
can tits only natural that individual pre-
ferences should be presented and demand
attention.
ssBut this view of the case aside, who
of the recognized leading candidates has
today the greatest strength in the
South. -
s'Neither Mr.. Z Reed nor Mr.. Allison
has been down to see us, though both
are in high repute with our people. But
what should our preference as among SO
admirable list natter What man
among them who, if nominated and elect
ed next year, would fail as President to
treat the South right? why should not
the SouthernRepu blicans, this being true.
hold back and let the test of personal
popularity be made where the decision
OF the question will signify?"