Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-16
~ 4 Variety Of Reading Halter so'N Dc
found on erery Page Of this paper.
The TWO Plans.

,ioa have now developed, with sufficient
distinctness, their several plans-the submits
sionist> looking TO the North, seeks to trim
down and pare away the ultmatum OF Virginia
until made acceptable to the Republican ma
iority at the North. Such efforts result in
Cristenden amendments and Franklin substi-
tutos. These men regard not the seeded
States, and never stop to consider whether
either plan of adjustment would reconstruct
the Union. Of what good would be the Crit
tenden amendment, or the Franklin substitute
unless it will restore the Union
The resistance party, earnestly desiring recon.
struction, turn their attention from the North
to the South. and frame their ultimatum in de-
mands that cannot faiIto bring back the South
ern States, if granted, and which, ifrefused,
must carry eli the border States out Of the
Union.
The people Of Virginia cannot fail to observe
this difference in the demands of the report OF
Mr. Conrad and that Of Mr.. Wise, from the
Committee on Federal relations. Mr.. Conrad,
on the part OF the majority, has struggled to
appease the dominant party at the North, by
asking as little as possible. Mr.. Wise has
sought to regain the seeded States, by de-
handing Of the North the full measure
OF Southern rights, in order to offer to
the seeded States, certain and sure guarantees
as inducements to return. The people of Viz
ginia must decide which report is plan OF
real and permanent adjustment. The ohjec-
tons to Mr. Conrad's report is, that it asks SO
little that, if granted, the seeded States will
not return, und DEMONSTRATION cannot Jollow-
while the objection sought to be urged
against Mr.. Wise's report is, that it de-.
mands 30 much that the North may not yield
70 the demand.
demand made by Mr.. Wise is necessary to at
tain that end. Nothing less can regain the Sc
ceded States, because only such demands give
that security and power of protection which
can induce the seeded States to risk again the
dangers from which they have escaped The
hope OF reconstruction must be abandoned if
the demands are to be lowered beneath those
made BY Mr.. Wise.
Mr.. Conrad's report with the Crittenden
amendment on the franklin substitute may
retain the Border States: indeed, if the action
of these States indicates the real spirit
of the people, in several Of these States,
the denial by the North Of either the Crit
tenden amendment or the Franklin substi-
tute would not alter their relation to the
Northern States--but this is not re-construc-
tion-it is su5misSion-and herein lies the DIFF
ference between the report Of Mr.. Wise and
tina. Of Mr. Conrad. Mr.. Wise presents plan
Of re.conslTuction-Mr. Conrad a scheme Of
submission. The people of Virginia in choosing
between the TWO, will decide for a Government
of all tine States-a reconstructed Union-or
for an en.asculated Government with the Bor-
der Slave States es submissive provinces to the
North.
1t matters not whether the Crittenden Amend
ell by this Convention; so far as the Border
States are concerned either or neither will
equally suit; but for reconstruction, both must
be rejected. Only such demands as meet the
issues between the North and the South at
every point and give the powers Of self-pro.
lection to the South in every phase ofthe ques.
ton, are competent for reconstruction. The
end to be attained is noble, and the means by
which i, is to be gained must be equally So
The guarantees which will secure future peace
and give that security which will reconstruct
the Union, must be based upon demands that
embrace the question of slavery in all its as
poets.
Lincoln's Cabinet.
We have already announced the new Cabinet,
as follows: ". II. Seward, of New York,
Secretary Of State; Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio,
Secretary Of the Treasury; Simeon Cameron,
Of Pennsylvania, Secretary of War; Gideon
Wells, of Connecticut Secretary Of the Navy;
Caleb B. Smith, Of Indiana, Secretary of the
Interior; Montgomery Blair, of Maryland,
Postmaster. General; Edward Bates, Of Mis-.
souri,, Acknowledgement.
The individual who heads the list of the