Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-22
The News from VVashIngton-RepOr
OF Rssignations and OF a general


reeonStruetlon. tiHf S.4
Our dispatches this morning are full of
rumors about resignations at Washington.
1t seems to be established that Mr.. Seward,
the Secretary of State, and his sou, tue
Assistant Secretary, have resigned. 1t Is
stated that the Republican Senators. at a
caucus, voted want OF confidence in Mr..
Seward, aud recommended his resignation,
and that be aud his son made haste to obey
the Recommendation. This is rnmor of
course, but nevertheless. we do not doubt,
be- the cause what it may, that the Secre-
tary of State has resigned.
There are also reports that the Postmas-
ter General and the Attorney General are
about following suit, and still further ru-
NOR that the entire Cabinet will go out
Also there is rumor that Burnside has
sent in his resignation. 10 fact there is
gossip to the effect that most everybody has
orintends to resign.
OF course little smoke begets the idea
of a great Ere. We do not credit these
Wholesale reports. There is something in
them no doubt. Mr.. Seward. we suppose
has thrown up, and We are sorry for it,
There are some members of the Cabinet
who could resign with benefit to them
selves and the country, but We do not look
upon Mr.. Seward as one of them. Why
should Mr.. Seward resign? 1t. is every
where sgreed that the portfolio of State
was never in ADLER hands Certainly he
has conducted our foreign diplomacy with
consummate skill. The London Times has
said as much. He is an acceptable man
ttoIall 1.-THE nations of Europe, and he under
stands our foreign policy. Again We say
why should he rsSign2
True, Mr.. Seward has lost prestige at
home. He Ventured too far on that forbid
den border land that lies between the pres
ent aud tho future. He essayed the role of
prophet on more than one occasion, and
he signally failed. Before this rebellion
he had impressed the country, however
true or false, that he was more than ordi-
nurily gifted with the genius of vaticiua-
ton. He could prophecy people thought,
for with remarkable accuracy he had fore.
told coming events He yentured on this
reputation and he has lost. Beginning
with his "stxty day" prediction at the As.
tor, House speechifcation some two years
ago, aud continuing on through several of
his dispatches and public conversations,
he has yentured to express decided opinions
ofthe future which have not yet been even
partially realized. Hence his loss OF pres
tge. To-day he is almost Unavailable as
an element of confidence in the admins.
tration. E .sa#Ef
The rumor that his place is to be filed
by Chas. Sumner we regard as silly
eanard. Whatever else Mr.. Lincoln can
afford to do he cannot afford 10 put Sum
aer in his Cabinet. We should deplore
such an Installation as public calamity,
certainly not less disastrous than our re.
pulse at Fredericksburg. Sumner has no
element of strength in the nation. Hecar-
riel Massachusetts at the last election on
ly by the skin of his teeth. Hewas a dead
drag upon the Republicans, as he always
has been. Entirely theoretical man,
itraight-laced aud obstinate, be is utterly
untitled to grapple with the mighty forces
of these tunes. he is well acquainted With
our foreign affairs We admit, aud in TWO or
three instances, as Chairman OF the Com
mittee on Foreign affairs in the Senate.
has made correct, able aud efficient argu-
ments In Matters of international law
Butisssentially Mr.. Sumneriis 6lfitlfor any
higher places BE is not man of general
affairs, His study and his hobby has been
slavery, and without reference to its sur
roundings, aud regardless of peace or war,
In other words without regard to any of
the considerations which influence, direct
aud compose statesmanship, he has occu-
pied himself With distractions about the
status Of the Southern States as territories
and States of the union. His principal bu-
Isinsss of late has been TO introduce some
rowing band Of Unitarian preachers, or some
"society of friends, male aud female, to
the President, whose mission it was to bore
him with their notions Of duty.
We devOutly hope that no such project
asPutting Sumner in the CAbipst is dreamed
ofby the President. --au.r,t--r4
In the place of every membsr who re-
signs We should rejoice 70 zee Mr.. lincoln
put in some good war democrat Let us
have some men who will bring combinations
of strength to the war. Strength, unity.
aud concentration are what are needed.
The war feeling Of the country is disinteE-
rated in large measure. Indifferent sue
cess and positive disaster have chilled,
desponded aud divided the people Of the
loyal Slater, Are-iuyigorStion is reeded.
We must haSeit. War Democtats, men OF
unidentified nerve, devotion, patriotism and
ability,srs the men Rnd,ths only men who,