Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-08
Latest NORTHERN NEWS.

Tho No-thern papers of the I'd and Sd of December
contain some matters of interest. The New York Times
s,v. Of Iiucoln's message-"Wha the President has to
s,v of prospective emancipation, and Of the enfranchised
,I,vss will not command universal assent, and we deem
|, very doubtful whether Congress will enact the laws ne
c..s,r, to carry his recommendation into effect" Ac-
co,liug to the Herald the radical Abolition journals are
crsa,ly disconnected with the position of the message on
the slavery question, and it is commented on accord
ingly. We copy that portion OF the editorial touching
upon this subject;
Mr. Iineolu's views upon slavery cannot fail to con-
vince the reader that he is aetuated by the most pati-
io,i. humane lust and generous considerations; but we
fear that the abolition radicals of Congress will treat his
nroposition and his ~pleadings with indifference, II not
with scorn and contempt. That they should be told oy
Abraham Lincoln to wait Tor thirty-seSen years LOT .e
abolition of Southern slavery, and be told this upon the
heels of his emancipation proclamation, ID certainly very
wonderful. But, then, he says that this new scheme oi
emancipation "is recommended, not but that a res,
toration of the national authority would be accepted
without its adoption, nor will the war or proceedings
under the emancipation proclamation "be stayed be-
cause Of the recommendation oil this plan;' but still MT
Lincoln pleads for this plan" As if II were the only sal
vatiOa for the Union.
or this rebellion, and then, with the restoration oil the
rebelIous States to the Union, leave to them, each state
for itself the settlement of the slavery question. we
sbould however, not be without hope OF the success oil
the Presidents plan if the party IN Congress idennneu
vitb his administration could be lifted up to his platform
of patriotism. As it is, our only hope is in q vigorous
prosecution of the war now, while we have the superior
power in the field, and the inferior forces oil the enemy
within striking distance. Upon this subject the message
ia somewhat CLOUDY; but, if its numerous practical re-
concentrations shall be adopted by Congress, We doubt
mot that their wisdom will be proved by their good re-
suits TO the country.
FROM THE POTOMAC.
In a late number of the Philadelphia Inquirer, we find
the following important statement, which has called iortn
.nim.dversions from a portion of the Abolition press, AZ
a revelation of military secrets:
Lees army is the sole defence and life of the Southern
cause-a defeat of that army would be death 10 tue re-
belliou. The overthrow OF this army OF Lee Is the work
of the Army Of the Potomac during the coming month
That il is competent to the task none can doubt tn
s,nar;or 10 the rebel army in every feature and partcu-
lar Struggling in the right cause and field, with Ie-
doubled strength, and well handled, a glorious victory
awaits il. The Army Of the Potomac piH rn RtehHiond,
on TIE Rdppakdnnock, but the army Of the James Gill
o,eupv the etc, and show to the world the true greatness
of ali that composed that noble army, now lying quietly
before fredericksburg.
The New York Times has the following:
The news telegraphed from the headquarters of the
Army of the Potomac is not important. We have some
additional news of much importance from the rebel side
of the Rappahannock, brought over by two gentlemen
recently from Richmond, and holding positions under
the rebel Government-one as a Captain in a Texas regi-
msnt. and the other as a clerk in the Q~uartermssters
Department-and who have concluded TO seek protec-
ton under the old flag. These gentlemen sgree that the
rebel force at Fredericksburg numbers from 10000 to
100 600. Lee and his associates are for once, however,
puzzled by the movements Of our army, and are in doubt
As TO its future movements. They think the attack on
Richmond is TO be made from some other quarter, and
acting upon this idea they have commenced the erection
of earthworks, for the protection OF a garrison force,
while the main body of their army has again commenced
moving toward Richmond.
the FAILURE AT FALMOUTH.
1t il no longer a question, SAYS q despatch from Wash
ington, that the Army Of the Potomac owes its failure
TO cross the Rappahannock promptly, on its arrival, to
ine1cusable delay in furnishing pontoon bridges and
means of transportation. From this cause, the most
MAGNIFICENT military movement of the war, and one
which, il promptly executed, could scarcely fail of sue
cess, has been ruined in its first step; and the army on
which, more than any other, depends the hope OF the
nation, is again placed in a critical position, necessita-
ting az entire change In the programme for Ls opera
tons. Once in possession of fredericksburg, and be.
yond the river, the army would have found a sandy
country, whose roads are rather improved than injured
by the rain aud no one doubts that a continuation Of
their first rapidity Of movements would have practically
taken the enemy by surprise, and enabled them to en-
ter Richmond beyond the power Of the Rebels to pre-
vent
The rumors in regard to the removal OF Quarter
master General Meigs are numerous and positive on
both sides. 1t is probably untrue that General Burn,
side demanded the removal Of General Meigs, though
known to be greatly inceIscj at the dcinquencies in his
department, and laying the fault directly at his door.
Gen. Woodbury. is ssid TO have been placed under ar
rest by order OF the Secretary of War, on account OF
negligence in forwarding the Pontoon bridges for the
use OF tue Army of the Potomac in the late move
nent.
CONDITION OF rHE Army.
1t is stated on good authority, that no less than zone
hundred and eighty thousand" Of the soldiers whose
names now ill the muster rolls are absent, with or with
out leave.
To talk about discipline and organization in The face
Of facts like these is nonsence subIimated to the utmost
attainAble limit
The President, too, is reported as having lately made
the remark that the army Is less in numbers to-day than
when the last levy was made for three hundred thousand
men.
MISCELLANEOUS.
In the Washington Congress, Tuesday, Senstor Pow
ell, of Kentucky, moved a resolution of inquiry into the
arbitrary arrests Of citizens OF that State by the military
authorities of the government, and declaring all such ar
rests usurpations OF the power delegated by the people
to the President, and palpable violations of the Consti.
tntion Of the United States. The solution was laid
over.
We have advicee from Newbern, n. C., to the 9th
ult. From the Progress We learn that the gunboat Ellis
recently made a reconnaissance in New TopSail Inlet,
within Twelve miles of Wilmington, and destroyed some
very extensive salt works, which were producing 500
bushels per day.
Al the municipal election in the city of New York, on
Tuesday the %, the Black Republicans were badly beat
en-. Nearly all the Democratic ticket was elected by a
large majority, thus securing the city government for
1863.
Hon. Eli Thayer is expected immediately TO receive
his appoint ment as Military Governor of Florida, aud
will probably be directed Immediately to commence ope-
rations in the colonization plan for re. peopling that State
with LOYAL white inhabitants.
A portion Of General Banks command left New York
on the I'd, on n large feet of transports for the South.