Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-15
Conference of Republican Leaders
at Washington.

The Washington dispatches TO the New York
Herald. under date OF the llth instant. contain
the following comments in reference to an i'm
portant conference Of the Republican leaders
about to be held at the national capital:
A most important gathering of prominent Re
publicans is about TO be held in this city. Word
has been sent To all the leaders of the party TO
meet in Washington within the coming week
The object Of This sudden gathering of the clans
is SO far a mystery. BY some il is believed 10
have reference TO the draft, with a view to the
Withdrawal OF an enforced conscription and the
substitution of n voluntary call.
The theory which obtains most credence. how
ever, Is. that news has been received from the
South that the leading rebels are willing to come
back into the Union provided terms are offered
them. There Is every reason to believe that the
whole Southern people. leaders and all are heart
ily sick of their wal Tor Independence. The rebel
military power is t~umbling TO pieces. Fact.
which have come TO the knowledge of General
Halleck and the War Department within the last
two weeks. are Of the most reassuring character
Ii is known that the rebel armies are virtually
demoraliZed. and in no part of the South can be
held together. DAVIS would never have issued
the frantic appeal TO deserters 10 come
back 10 their we're 1t not that
the whole army was dissolying into its original
elements The principal cause of trouble with
the troops is the fact that their wages in real
monev does not amount TO more than one dollar
per mouth With this they are unable to provide
themselves with even the smallest necessities of
the camp. All their hopes have failed. While
invading Maryland and Pennsylvania they felt
confident OF being able TO maintain themselves
in the enemy's country. But. once on the south
side Of the Potomac, after having been beaten at
Gettysburg. the rebel army under Lee became
hopelessly disorganized. Owing to the Difficult.
ties of transportation az the South. br few Of
the men in the army had seen their & antilles since
frs; they entered the rebel service With all
hope in the Confedeiacy gone, these men have
unanimously determined 10 return 20 their homes,
and the refusal of Lee 10 grant burroughs has
added TO the wide spread discomfort OF his troops.
This state of Affairs has had its effect upon the
rebel leaders. and il is reported that while thew
suil have a show OF force. they wish TO make the
best terms possible with the Federal Government
Hence the meeting of the friends Of the Admin.
istrstion 10 be held in the capital within the com
ing two weeks.
IL is idle at this time 10 speculate as To the
action OF this informal convention. A renson
which will be urged in Republican circles in favor
of putting \ stop 10 the war, has been found in
the tremendous unpopulari,y of the conscription
act. Its effect in every section of the North has
been the same-it has thrown the whole popula-
ton en- masse against the Administration. The
more shrewd and less ~fanatical of the Republican
leaders argue that were the administration 10
close the war now. and put a stop TO the conscrip-
ton. II would secure a new lease of life and popu-
lariiy. The people would be grateful not only
for the ending of the war and the rehabilitation
of the Union. Gut for the stoppage of the odious
draft. or course no terms will be considered
satisfactory TO the Republican leaders that in yolve
any-the slightest political strength to the insur.
gent States IL would never do for their partv
objects 10 permit the south 70 form u Union with
the Democratic party again 10 rule the courrry