Year: 1879




The letters of our correspondent, printed
on another page, convey the impressions
of an unbiased inquirer whose own incli-
nation, as well as his instructions, looks
to nothing but the simple ascertainment OF
the truth. He set out with view to ex-
plore--among other things of immediate
public interest-the nature and extent OF
the reported Grant movement in the
Southern States. So far as his journey has
as yet extended he has found but little
to justify the reports that Genera
Grant is favorite candidate OF
the Southern people, or, to speak
with strict accuracy, the Southern whites.
1t admits of no doubt that he is the almost
universal preference of the Southern
blacks. The gentlemen with whom our
correspondent has conversed are among
the most intelligent judges of the public
sentiment of their respective States. and
take keen interest in what transpires in
other parts of the South. There seems to
be no difference of opinion among observant
Southerners as to the slightness of the
Grant incubation among the white part
of the voting population. The so-called
Grant boom has been exaggerated out of all
proportion to the reality of the movement.
The noise made by any unexpected develop
ment is often proportioned to its strange
ness, and is rather an expression Of sur
prise than proof of the wide prevalence
of the novel features of the situation. At
any rate, in proportion as tho Grant move
ment in the South comes to be sifted it is
found that there is very little of it.


So far as there have been any expressions
of opinion in the South favorable to the
election Of General Grant they have been
merely conditional. They only indicate
the choice of the Southern whites between
possible evils. If the next President is to
be republican the South would prefer
General Grant to any other republican cam
didate. If the republican party is
to remain in power for q long Sc
ries of years the South would pre-
fer Grant and an empire to the
excited Presidential elections which in
flame the hostility Of the powerful North
against the weak and unprotected South.
Under ON empire there would be no
temptation to fan the embers Of sectional
animosity. If General Grant were once
firmly seated in imperial authority he
would treat all his subjects with impartial
justice, and the South would at last have
the fair play which they do not expect from
q political party founded on hostility to
their section. Besides, q large body Of in
telligent Southerners believe the British
constitution to be, on the whole, the best
form of government, and would welcome
constitutional monarchy formed upon that
model. The existence Of this sentiment,
which is set forth in our correspondence, is
a circumstance to be pondered in esti-
mating the possible consequences of another
election of General Grant. With body of
declared monarchists in one section of the
country the American people should hesi-
tate long before placing great citizen in
circumstances Of temptation.


But except as a choice of evils the South
ern whites look with no favor on third
election of General Grant. They will pre-.
fer the election of democratic President
so long as that seems possible. They do
not doubt their ability to give all the cleo
toral votes of the South to democratic can.
didate. Ifthey can see reasonable chance
of carrying New York and Indiana or New
York and Connecticut and New Jersey they
stand ready to make as vigorous q cam
paign in the South against Grant as against
any other republican candidate.


Our correspondence brings into view one
important aspect of the Grant question
which has not yet received the attention it
deserves. 1t is conceded that General
Grant would receive the unanimous and
enthusiastic support of the negro voters.
His candidacy would re-establish and
deepen the ''color lipe," which it is de-
sirable to obliterate, both for the tranquil
lily of the South and the interest of the
negroes. Certain it is that if Gen.
eral Grant is nominated the great
body of the Southern whites will
oppose him as strenuously as all the South
ern negroes will support him. A candidate
SO we'll known to oil the colored voters, 30
admired by them, so universally popular
with them, SO intrenched in their gratitude
as their great deliverer from bondage, would
make them once more o compact po-
litical phalanx and array the two races
against each other in vigorous political
conflict. The color line would be rendered
indelible during this generation by any
other means than the reducing of all citi-
gems to the common level of subjects, and
thereby putting an end to our fierce
political contests. 1t would SOW the seeds
of ;r,Darialism throu phout the South-tha
whites desiring it for tranquility and the
negroes acquiescing by their passionate adj
miration of General Grant


The unanimous preference Of the negroes
for Grant is fact which challenges the at
tention of his rivals for the republican
xo.nina afion If the Southern renu uhlicans