Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-03
Campaign in the South for Repub-
lioan Delegates.
FRIENDS OF THREE CANDIDATES
All Working in the Interest Of
Their Favorites.
A NEW CONDITION OF THINGS

The south is to cut an important figure
in the St. Louis convention Her suppor..
is being ardently solicited by the friends OF
three of the republican aspirants to the
presidency. The Mckinley people were first
on the scene, but they were speedily fol-
lowed by the Reed people, and now the
Morton people have arrived. 1t is the hot
test hunt for delegates ever known in that
section, and it viii continue so for some
time to come. Claims are abundant, but
the situation as yet hardly warrants a def
mite statement to the result Mr.. Me
Kinley and Mr.. Reed are both strong, and
Mr.. Morton, whose case seems to be in very
good hands, may pick Up votes here and
there The impression however, is that the
real object of the Morton people relates
more to securing second choice pledges
than votes for the first ballot. They are
forced to concede the advantages possessed
by the Ohio candidate and the Maine can
didate over their favorite, but if they
make sure of good support in case of a
deadlock between the two leaders, they will
feel themselves amply rewarded for their
labor and their outlay.
Effect of Southern Support.
The sOuth's support has always been
sought in these contests, but it has more
than once proved to be source of weak
ness to the winner. Mr. Sherman's disap-
pom ntment, first in 1880 and again in 1888,
is attributed TO the instability of his south
ern line. On both occasions his camp was
raided by the opposition, and his southern
contingent stampeded. He complains of
this himself openly in his book, and says
something of a very pointed nature about
the conduct of the Alger people at Chicago
in 1883. In Mr.. Sherman's opinion, had he
been able to hold his line intact until the
hour of the arrival of the crisis, he, and
Harrison UOnl6 heen
nominee of that convention.
New Conditions Now.
But, as the politicians are assured, there
is now a new south. The republican party
throughout the whole of that section has
within Il very few years become strength
ened by many accessions from the other side
end a new tone has been given to the organ
ization Thisft is promised. will be conspicu-
oLsIy shown at St. Louis, where, instead of
the old crowd representing a party of local
impotency and bent solely on personal ends,
Will be found men of high purpose and
responsibility, with a definite end in view,
and with staying qualities of the first order.
They will be proof against all raiding in
arybody'S interests, it is declared, and will
justify their activity by holding out to the
convention the hope of Endorsement of it's
work at the polls in the south if the south'S
interests are properly taken into account.
Tie sugar planters of Louisiana, the cotton
manufacturers of Georgia, the coal and iron
owHers OF Alabama. Tennessee, and the two
Virginias viii be there in force TO ask such
a platform and such a ticket at the hands
of the convention as will enthuse the south
and fill her with confidence. They will de-
mand to be heard with a respect equal to
that shown to the west, or to any portion
of the east and they are likely to be treat
ed with gratifying consideration.
The Present Campaign Explained.
All of this explains the present campaign
IL, i Ia
perils would be considered. Mr.. Sherman's
fate in particular wo1ld operate as warn
ing against leaning too heavily on south
ern support. But with the assurance that
the south at St. Louis will be under infu-
enccs as cre5ita5le and as stouthearted as
those controlling other sections, and that
she is going there with measure of i'm
portance she has not heretofore been au-
thCrlZed to lay claim to in a republican ma
ttonal convention, the friends of the lead
ing presidential aspirants are fully justified
In the activity they manifesting down
there.
The Morton Canvass.
The Morton canvass is one of especial in
terest to the Harrison people. The friends
of the ex-President are relying upon what
they estimate as his great second choice
strength among the people to bring about
his nomination. They consider that his
chances of success lie in the inability which
they think will be shown, of either of the
two lAading candidates to win. This is to
call for a compromise man, and General
Harrison is TO be that man. But they are
making no canvass to insure such result
They assume that the cond.t tions will be
favorable for it, and base their assumption
On the high respect in which their favorite
is everywhere held. Eut the Morton peo-
pie are now in the field specifically seeking
second choice support. They are poaching
on the HARRISON preserves. And whatever
success they meet with will be so much to
be deducted from the Harrison calculations
Ihat this is the work of Thomas C. PIatt
and that he IS prosecuting it with keen, rel
lsh, may easily be taken for granted.
lie may not be at heart an enthus-
asuc Morton man, against Mr. Reed
but that he would greatly enjoy beating
Gen Harrison with his fellow citizen is
certain.