The New York herald., 1862-12-22

declare themselves cOnstltuens phfss VI Sno
States; TO raise the old dag Of the Union; y lay
aside the character Of rebels, and to announce
that they are in the field only for she purpose OF
restoring the old Union as 1t was and the old con-
stitutioD a. Il 10.
Under these circumstances the results
OF the consultations to-day are regarded
a. vitality important. II IL openly assert
cd here that those who are urging
the adoption Of an extreme policy and the ap'
pointment Of an extremely radical Cabinet are
engaged in dangerous conspiracy against the
President and the very-life Of the nation. They
are determined to rule or ruin, and It depends
upon the sagacity and the flrmness Of the Presi-
dent and his advisers whether the country shall
be precipitatedin into o new and more awful catas-
trophe, or whether the bow OF promise, Of peace,
tranquility and unon shall again appear upon the
horizon.
Up to noon to-day the resignation Of neither
Seward nor Chase had been accepted; but it Is
understood that the whole matter in issue will be
determined tonight.
THR TRYING POSITION OF THE rREsiDEkf --rHH piF-
FIcuLTIEa SURROUNDING HIS PRESENT SITUATION
SECRETARY cHAsE's RESIGNATION THNDREED-
ALARM OF THE NEW TNGLANDERs-- --ANTIoIPATIoNs
THAT THE RADICALS WILL PREVAIL, ETC.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1862.
President Lincoln ia involved in deeper and more
perplexing difficulties than ever before since his
Inauguration.
Last evening 10 conversation with some
friends from the West, he expressed his sense Of
tho trying responsibilities thrown upon him, In
the present posture Of affairs the alternative ID
presented Of forming new Cabinet upon the
emancipation platform, or Of adopting tho conser-
yative policy Of Mr.. Seward.
In the former case there rs danger that the great
State Of New York win abandon the support Of
the administration and the war, aud thus paralyze
the arm Of the President. In the latter case the
entire force OF the radicals will be brought to beer
against him.. !.
The most Intelligent observers believe that the
proclamatonists will prevail, and that Mr. Seward
and his policy will be ignored. Some say that, BY
way Of ccnciliating the anti-proclamation party,
General Halleck will be relieved and Mcclellan
placed in the post Of General-in-Chief. Here he
could be managed or checked by Secretary
Stanton and tie emancipation policy snbstaatelly
carried out.
Secretary Chase said yesterday, to Governor
Curtin, that he had rendered his resignation une-
quivocally and positively. His resignation is not
caused by any disagreement with tho President
In the Senate he would be eligible a. candidate
for. the next Presidency, while, If he remains in
the Cabinet, he would hardly be on the Presiden-
tial track as no convention has nominated Cabi-
net efilcor while in.place.
/ The emergencies Of the country have become so
pressing that even the New Englanders are becom-
ing alarmed. They have made heaps of money by
the war, and they desire to save II. In all the New
England cities merchants and manufacturers have
accumulated fortunes with unexampled rapidity;
but they feel that unless stability Ia given to the
government their riches viii take wings and fly
away moro rapidly than they came. Hence their
anxiety that the present difficulties should be sd-
justed. They agree in saying that another army
could not be raised, except by extreme measures.
and that ''the highways and byways win not swarm
with the young men Of Massachusetts, OF of any
other stste.
TEE SENATORIAL CAUCUS IN REFREENCs 10 rHK
CABINFT-SAxss MENTIONED FOE sIoaSTARy-
SHIPS, xTc.
WASHINGTON, Dec ol, 1862
I, s Ascersiued that the Senators who met ncsucus
lass week were pledged keep their proceedings secret,
excepting TO The President and this lhey did with more
Secretary of s,sss however, soon heard Of the proceed
Dgs, and promwly rendered HE resignation Friday
night
The committee from she again visited the pyesi.
dent sBd remained with hun and oil the members Of the
csbine,Mr. Seward alone being sbseptfos more ,hsn
four hcars
Tae noyt day by scratary Chase sent In his
sgnsilca merely g rssser Of form, bu, good
faith II IS noi known that there ~ss any ahieciou 70
Tim N tie part OF The csasus.
Tho representatives wero In no GalHer consulted re-
earing the rorrssy the action OF the Senators but
scqniesepce IN their proceedings
Tho resolution adopted recommended partial recon-
sacton OF ,ae Cabinet, which several nerprs,
10 mean ultimate entire change Of programme
Reports are current, but which cannot now be veri.
lied, that ALI or the nembozs Of the Cabinet have
resigned However his may be, il is believed that
roae of them wiz Is tbe least enbarrass the EI
ocutvo in the choice of succossore. wAlc scme OF
tho Senators Insist that all Of ihom shall bc un1oubsod
republicans. others cosens 10 Iesvo tho entire
matter 10 tho hands Of The prosdent 20 that he may