Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-03
WHAT THE ENEMY WISHES.

Our readers know that we have not much re
spect for that form of political discussion which
undertakes to prejudice the popular mind by bring
ing into play, as weights and counters, the obser
vations and expressions of Southern journals il
commenting on our impending electoral contest
We have preferred to examine the respective can
didacies of Mr. Lincoln and of Gen. Mcclellan in
the direct light of their own conduct, and OF
their own avowed declarations, rather than in the
reflected gosses Of critics and commentators lying
outside of our political circles, and who must neces
sarily contemplate these affairs under an angle OF
vision which leads to an oblquity Of view, with its
accompanying misconceptions of fact
But as it is common with certain class of poll
tcisns and journals of the minor sort to affirm with
positiveness and iteration that the Southern dis
union press desires the election of Gen. McClel-
LAM in the belief that his elevation to power will
promote the success of Southern independence, we
refer to this paltry allegation only for the purpose
of demonstrating its utter falsity, and of placing
distinctly before our readers the guoble resort of
those who in their party zeal do not stick Mt any
Misrepresentation, however glaring and apparent
The Columbia South Carolinian, Ga most noted
secession sheet,) in a recent number, gives in its
adhesion to Mr.. Lincoln, as follows:
"We are Lincoln from this time forth His re-
election will eectualy put stop to the dream of
struccn in the hearts OF the most tmid among
Committed TO accept nothing but abect submission from
the South Lincoln will goad US all into unanimous,
compromising, relentless, desperate opposition and in
such opposition lies the only safely of these Confederate
States. Abraham forever, therefore, say We If we
could help any way whether by open speech surrep
tous vote, we would do it with the utmost pleasure
Fortunately for u.s. he stands in need of assistance
With the agencies at work in his behalf, he may
count certainly upon his election if the result his
influence, the patronage, and the power of the Govern
ment in his hands. He is using them all with no little
skill, and the most fearless decision"
The Richmond Examiner Of the 10th instant
contains the following significant remarks upon the
October elections in the North. The hopes avowed
for the reelection of Mr.. Lincoln, and the ground
on which it bases fear of the election of McClel
Ian, as the only man who can at once unite the
North and paralyze secession in the South, are
strikingly manifest in this article. 1t says:
According to the Yankee pspers published on the
morning after the election the Lincoln party have carried
Pennsylvania by thirty five thousand majority Indiana by
twenty thousand, Ohio by forty thousand Whether this
the of BATTLE real index of the truth doubt
full questions 1t difficult to Relieve that the facts could
be aceraDed in the few hours between the closing of the
pe such vast countries and the printing of the
pers But the fact would be SURPRISE in view of the
determination of the Yankee Government 10 carry its point
even by the utmost eIerton of force and fraud As the
reader knoos iohdt beiispe be the best possible
result for the Southern Confederdcy because ii .oould
diminish the chances of election and zoe hare
long been convinced that such ooud be The most
dangerous Of all things. He would propose Convention
of States and armisce and that proposition (he being
President of the United States) ioouLd haoe strong
tendency disorganize the South But effect yet worse
for would be that which his election would exercise on
the North So long Lincoln is the in power there
s and there will be- strong party in the North opposed
to him. his Government, and his system But the cleo
ton of Mcclellan would heal all their dsseneions and
unite them completely than in the determination
to restore the Union by diplomacy by arms. The
chances of peace exactly the same whether Lincoln
Mcclellan is elected Neither would desst from assainp
until satsft that we will never submit Both would
carry the long they able Neither could
do it another year. bat Mcclellan would have more power
to do so than Lincoln
AS relating to the same subject, we invite the
readers attention to the following extract from the
able and eloquent speech of Mr.. Winthrop, as pub
lished by US on Tuesday last:
"AmoDg the refugees from Atlanta, Immediately after
ts capture, there within lines not many DAYS
ago person of the most estmabe and excellent char
acter, who had enjoyed the best opportunities of un-
deretandlng the Southern heart And what said he do
you think on being interrcgated to the prospects
of the future? / can give you his remarks from the
most authentic source They were communicated to me
by good friend of the Union in the Border States
If Mr. Lincoln is elected said he, the people of the
South will fight for thirty for they feel they can
do nothing better but il Mcclellan is elected such an
overwhelming Union party will be formed the South that
peace will be the almost immediate result speak said
he the sentiments of the people, not the officials The
leaders of the rebellion anxious for the reelection of
Mr. Lincoln giving most hope of the ultimate success
of the rebel But the people, he added respect Nc
Cean and believe his honesty, cay acity and patriot
ISM and being heartily tired of the war; they will be
willing to trust him. Such is the latest and most
authentic testimony from the very heart of the South
ern Conederacy. 1t communicated to me from
entitled to the highest confidence and it concurs
need hardly say with every opinion which have been able
to form for mysef do firmly and honestly believe that
if by the aid of this good old State of Connecticut George
Brnton Mcclellan shall be proclaimed President of the
United States of America the 4h day Of March
hope and trust he may be- another year will not
have expired without witnessing the final termination of
the rebeon and that the succeeding 4h Of July will
find us celebrating such jubilee has not been seen since
that day first hailed the birthday of American nde
pendence do not forget the danger Of nduQpp in these
ninety days. even tweve months prophecies lido not for.
lacy can only say that in that hope that trust in that
firm and answering confidence shall give my vote TO the
candidate OF the Democratic party; and whether that vote
shall prove TO have been cast with the many or with the
few with msorites with minoriiies shall feel that
have followed the dictates OF my own best Judgment of
conscientious convictions Of duty and of nv own m
aerabe attachment and devotion the Constitution and
the Union of my country"