Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-05
Special correspondence Of the Chicago Times.
From Washington.

The Obstacles in the Way Of a Reconstruction Of
The Union-Hor the AboLtionisis Stiae the
Union Feeling at the South-Otject Of HoreH
CobbS Tnferrhw lrnh General Wool-State of
Feeling at the South.
WASHINGTON, February 81
A few days ago the Times remarked that the
worst traitors we're not 1T the South. Never was
there more truth expressed in eight words Al
low me now to add that the obstacles i'm the WAY
OF reconstruction of the Union exist not in the
South, but at the North Proofs of this fact are
in the possession of four gentlemen in prominent
positions in this city. And have myself other
proofs derived from other and equally reliable
sources. Ii is the AbolitionistS and fanatical Re
publcans at the North and chiefly those in Con
gress, led on by Summer, Chandler and LOveloy,
who prevent the return of the Southern States to
their llegilnce. 1t Is believed ut the South that
these men are powe rlul enough at Washington To
control legislation TO such an extent as will for
ever prevent the Southern States from becoming
equal members of the Federal Union and this
belief renders nugatory and void all the efforts OF
Union men at the South to effect Il recon
struction The readers of the Times know that
this belief is erroneous. But it can not be
said to be groundless. The shameful da
tribes OF Sumner, and the frantic rawlings 0t Love
JOY listened To with cOmplacency in both Houses
OF Congress, are copied in the Southern news
papers and read everywhere in the South, as the
official expositons of the party at Washington
which now controls the Government. It is not
strange, therefore, that the Union men at the
South find it uphill work 10 foster and encourage
the Union feeling there. The Union feeling
wherever il exists at the South is latent, and is
kept concealed chiefly from motives OF prudence.
lie was manifested III Eastern Virginia under the
wise and benehcent administration of Gen. Dix,
through whose admirable and Just policy two val
liable counties in that State have, without blood
she'd, been restored to the Union. 1t has not
been manifested at Port Royal, because it does
not exist there; nor along the coast of Albemarle
Sound Tor the same reason. Ii was manifested
all along the Tennessee river, even as far in the
heart OF the South as Florence, in Alabama, be-
cause the officers in charge of the expedition up
that river were conservative men and not negro
siealers. That expedition, by the way, has done
more to shake the pillars of the Southern Con
iederacy and towards putting stop TO the rebel
lion than Il battle gained. And Gen Haleck :
orders of the 22,i Instant to the troops about 10
march into Tennessee. IN which he declares the
purpose OF the to be Ito restore and not to
violate the Constitution and the laws, is another
step in the same direction.
few days ago. Howell Cobb requested Gen
eral Wool To meet him in the truce boat near
Fortress Monroe Tie General went, aud the
Interview took place. 1t has been given that
the interview related to the arrangements neces-
sary Tor the systematic exchange of prisoners.
1his IS doubtless true. But it has also been MhiS
pered that General Wool brought back with hlm
Il communication not from the Confederate au-
thor,tie> but from committee OF the most prOmi-
nent and influential men of the South. now Ut
Richmond addressed 10 the President OF the Uni
ted States. The purpOrt OF the communication
i understand A lac 4 prnrpSal their Use
their utmost eXertions To induce the leaders OF
the rebellion TO disband their armies, and % bring
baSk the Southern States 10 their allegiance.
provided they can be assured by the President
that those States will be received back into the
Union footing OF perfect equality with the
other States, and that equality secured TO them.
There Is certainly something more than rumor
IN this; but now much more cannot Yet be ascer
tanned The views Oithe gentlemen from whom
the communication purports to have come, how
ever are well known here They are convinced
that II the Southern States would lay d0an then
arms now, anu be received back into the Union
on terms OF nominal eqaity with the other States
the Abotionists and radical Republicans in Con
gress would at once pass bills abOshing slavery
IN all the States Ii this impression could be re
oNed; If the South could toe satisfied that the
Abotionisis have no power to pass any such
laws, or cause them 10 be passed: ii they could
become convinced. in a word. that the national
policy toward the South would be based upon ;he
principles OF the compromises OF so. then there
would lac every probability that the Union men
at the South could succeed in bringing back the
revoltei States to their allegiance.
But IL Is idle TO indulge in dreams which have
no basis in reality. There Is stern determine
ton on the part of a majority of the Southern
people to gain their Independence; and this. IN
the face OF their recent reverses, and III the face
Of the still more bitter disappointment that has
crushed all their hopes OF foreign ard for the
present. | have seen gentlemen who were al
Richmond the day OF the Inauguration OF
JEFF Davis, aud who during that day. COW efsed
with men from nearly every Southern State
They are indeed peopie terribly IN earnest.
There i party Tor and party against the Jei
Davis administration; party in favor OF and a
party opposed 10 the defensive policy heretofore