Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-06
RIGATS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. 9, 1889.
The Next Yankee Congress and the Presi-
Dental Election.

yoosers in view Of the utter failure of the last draft
can only be found in political necessity, having rete
rerce to Black Republican triumph in the next Pres
dental election. The men undoubtedly needed
but party expedency forbds the employment. of force
to procure them. The experience of popular distavor
derived from the last consonpiOr, admonshes Lincoln
of the danger of repeating It, and he will now, doubt
lsss await further development of public sentiment
through the next Congress before he advances another
stem Before the determination of the issues for the
nsxt Presidential election he deems il unwise make
any move which may compromise his parry ard give
the Democrats the advantage in the forthcoming con-
test Consumption is evidently unpopular, and to ell
force H. upon the approach of national election would
be to arouse a degree of opposition which no policy,
however cOnciIiatory, could Slay in time to meet the
r, ouiremens of that contest At ell events he deems
il more prudent await the developments of the next
Congress- and trust to the subts arts OF diplomacy and
the resus,of party euds VII ch likely TO be reV led
in that bodY TO solve the difficulties. The more bitter
these feuds become ia view of the large peponderance
of popular strength which the Black Republicans com
msnd az the North the BETTER for then the presumption
of official favor in the enforcement OF the draft not
the guarantee of it, through secret channels, would re-
concie the majority party to it, Submission to 1t Gu
the part Of the Democrats would become necessity,
and the onUs of lighting the Northern battles woud
Gevolve upon them. The arrangement WILL doubtless,
be the organization Of the Back Republican masses
into local police to hunt up Democratic oOncrpis
The present suspense in the operations of the draft
points distinctly to such result.
That Lincoln inds himself in dilemma at present,
is evident from the moderate policy which he
A.. nf ~,
Federal force now in the field By issuing his procla
nation calling o- 500 900 volunteers he otimates that
necessity for augmeRting the army does now exist;
out before the final adjustment Of party issues in view
OF the next Presidential election he could not safely
venture upon tho employment of force to raise that
number lest in the absenos of precoucertsd arrange
ments, the operations of the draft may weigh mSe
heavily upon his IaFty than would be consistent
aith their retention within party lines. The very i'm
minsnce of draft iOreshAdowed by this proclamation,
will doubtless, not be without its eject in winniog over
arge aece sions TO the Black Republicans, in the hope
of escaping tl operations through official favor. And
the device will provo fruitless in this respect. The
failure Of popular revolt in the lest instance to arrest
the draft will operate as an admontOn against like
experiment in tie future and resort be had
I
escape it,
The cunning and Intrigue of Seward is traeeable in
this whole scheme. He is in dilemma; but he rides
each horse in and fay preserves his equiPose.
The villain dare enforce draft, for that
would give the Democrats the advantage Of him in the
adjustment of the wires for the next Presidential elee
ton True, the men badly needed, but the army,
he considers is not 10 serious danger tha the
for the suspension of active operations is at
hand. If need be, defensive policy will be ccun-
seled to afford opportunity to the inter
es,s of party at crisis involving its defeat
The most moderate policy, consistent wish the maints
nance of hOstilities in laggard manner, will be
pursued until the issues in the Presidential contest
determined, aud official guarantees to avortoF in the
matter Of exemption from draft, fully adjusted. Tben
will be Numbered orLh "a vgoror prosecution Of the
war; as the shibboleth OF that abominable Greg and
the cry Will not lack supporters unless, in the
time, we administer such blows will show the utter
futty Of persistence IN this policy. 0ne Two
decisive Victories side, in the interval between
this and May, would materially disconcert this whole
programme ana give the Democrats considerable sd-
vantage We would afterwards have no more such
distinctions as Peace and War Democrats. Such
change would be wrought in the public sentiment,
would justify them in making the direct issue of peace.
Aud We question if they would not succeed. If our
successes continued without any serious interruption
so as 70 maintain the idea Of our nvncbity their tri
umph wosld Le certain.
Their success or defeat, however, il a matter which
should not it does not alter plans. We fight to
De vosceicus aud nothing whether the result
affects the Northern election favorsbly othersse.
Il woula be strange indeed if did for have moth
ing to hope from either party, save what exact by
force of arms. In the hour OF adversely both were
equally hostile. Any modification of that senimeat
which has taken place. if indeed any.h@ in reality, is
the result of party exIediency Gni in no wise sctusted
by any favor for ne. We have abiding hope that,
long before the period arrives when the fortunes of
here can exercise any influence upon the Text Pres
dental contest in Ysnkeedom the grand issue Of ouT
Independence or subjugation will be decided in
to determine the Infamous doom which must in
evitably befall Seward ard his confreres. So far
party issues at the North will be concerned, the Demo
Gratis will no doubt, benefit by the result Tina: how
ever will be mere incident of the issue, and We shall
wish them JOY with all the aid and comfort they may
derive from it.
Meanwhile it is notamiss to analyze the designs Of
Seward in whose mpiou5 soal' every fresh device for
our subj 1gation is conceived He is no doubt seeking
by evely possible to circumveH that poor dupe
Lincoln, and it may be that before many months be
will quit his Cabinet upon some issue in which he will
be sure to represent the popular will Lincoln and
Chase are his prominent compositions for the sue
eessiOn and his characteristic capacity for intrigue ard
vny leaveslittle reason to doubt that he will lay
both on the Shelf in due time to serve his purpose in
the dominating convention. 1t is said that he has be-
come reconciled Greeley, rather Greeley to him,
sad that being go, his nomination is highly probable.
The proceedings of the next Yankee Congress will
be interesting, and shall, as opportunity offers, give
RESUME Of them.