Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-03
From WASHINGTON,
President nlaking-Cd Chase and Frenaont--nr.
Ljncola-Actjon Of Congress-Ihe Return
of Seeded StateS-Hon. John r. Potter
Broaga and Wheeler act aCih the Copperteads
4 lLaetinn Of RadrerS at tie CanLtal.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1864.
Contrary to my hopes and most confident
expectations, I find the business of President
making engaging the earnest and almost ex-
cited attention of political wire-workers
gathered here and indications of { heated
controversy over the question of who shall be
the Union nominee at the next convention.
The friends of the different candidates are
marshalling their forces and vigilantly pre-
pairing their plans for the approaching cam
paign. Secret combinations are forming, and
all the partizan machinery is being called in
to requisition, and leagues and agencies ex-
tending throughout the loyal States are being
| organized in behalf Of conflicting aspirants.
Since | was here two months ago the ''Strong
Band" has been formed, having for its pur-
! pose, it Is said, the concentration of the
Union opposition to President Lincoln, upon
a common ticket. To Judge by the logic of
events and the common expression Of the
masses wherever | travel, it would seem that
Mr.. Lincoln would be nominated and re-
| elected by an overwhelming majority. And
| it would save much complication, and give
much strength at home and abroad, II such
| could be the common consent. But poll
ticians will not sink personal and partizan
feelings, even when the nation is i'll the micl-
strom of destruction. The most active and
efficient organization here now in opposition
to Mr. Lincoln is undoubtedly in behalf of
Mr.. Chase, who, without question, is the
strongest man out of the military circle. He
has acquired a world wide and lasting reputa-
ton as IA financier, and is undoubtedly among
the purest and ablest men of the country.
He has strong hold upon the confidence
of the people-no civilian has stronger
but whether in the present peculiar situation
of the nation it is wise to attempt change,
is matter for serious consideration, and, IN
nv opinion should be left to the result OF the
spring campaigns of our armies.
1t is stated here, as "by authority" that
Fremont will run as an independent candidate
if Mr.. Lincoln is nominated but cannot be-
leve that he is prepared to commit political
suicide in this way. Again the course of the
New York Herald and the utterances of GER
tain democrats are cited as indications that
war ticket will be formed by putting Fremont
and Mcclellan on the same ticket. This OF
! course would damn the former to the same
! political infamy of the latter and | do not ac-
cept it.
Though Grant is strongly advocated by
many and is the speciality OF Mr.. W ashburn,
it is generally conceded that he cannot be in
duced to be a candidate at the next election :;
and Butler is hardly considered in the right
position for present purposes. 1t would seem
that the inevitable result will be the union
upon ticket with Mr.. Lincoln and some
prominent war democrat as Vice-Presdent.
! But what combinations may be formed or
what complications may arise from the prog
ress of events or be precipitatcd by polti-
clans it is impossible now to determine !;
though nothing can materially change the pol
icy of the Government in regard to the war
and to emancipation Thank God, that in his
righteous Providence he has compelled the
proclamation of and the general acquiescence
in the abolition of American slavery.
Mr.. Lincoln, though humorous and full of
anecdotes as ever, looks somewhat careworn
and as though the affairs of state bore heavi-
" upon his mind and heart, but it is not gen
orally believed that he bestows much thought
upon the sucuession.
Congress moves somewhat tardily, and it is
safe to say that the errors of the session, if
any, will be, like those of the President, on
the side of prudence and caution. An Eman-
cipation or Freedmen's Bureau will undoubt-
edly be established, and it would not be sur
prising if an additional Department, making
another Cabinet officer, should be created.
If a complete and radical revolution in the
conduct of all the departments, by way of
simplifying the complicated machinery and
correcting the evils transmitted from the
past, were to be acted upon, it would add
greatly to the efficiency Of the administration
of the Government But this will be a Her
culean labor, and will probably induce the
tolerations Of the ellis we have"
am surprised and disappointed that they
refuse to do full justice to the colored sol
diers in not paying them full wages from the
time of their enlistment; but tie placing
them on proper footing from the first Of
January last is partial justice, which we ac
cept as the evidence of the rapid progress Of
republican equality.
/ am highly gratifed with the caution in
the legislation in relation to the return of
the seeded States and on this subject my
mind has entirely changed since my residence
South It is far less desirable to have those
States represented in Congress Immediately,
than it is to have them properly represented.
The experience in admitting the representation
from old Virginia taught valuable lesson of
prudence and caution. A class of men Of
desperate political fortune ard reckless char
acter find their way to all those States, or
remaining in them, seek to take advantage Of
the disorganized state of things to foist them
selves into place, and fastcn themselves as
incubi upon the body polite by imposing on
the few who at first would control their destiny.
Such were the efforts of Foster in North
Carolina, and such the object Of the getters
up of the so-called Union demonstration re
Gently in Florida. But Congress seems de
termined to recognize no revolutionary pro-
cess, save so far as it is necessary to get the
State machinery In motion IN constitutional
form by legitimate means. The bill reported
by Winter Davis l think is the most sensible
thing in this direction yet devised, and | hope
it will be adopted.
Mr.. John F. Potter, and DR.. Davis, Indian
Agent, arrived here last week, on business
with the Indian Bureau So far, they have
been successful beyond their expectations,
having discovered errors by which over $l8,-
600 have been improperly withheld from the
tribes of which the DR.. is agent. But for the
indefatigable exertion of these men, in con-
nection with their experience IN such mat
tiers, this sum would have been lost to the
Indians, and great in Justice done.
The first visit of Mr.. Potter to the House
of Representatives, afforded gratifying evil
dence of the esteem in which he is held by
the members. Immediately, on his entrance,
he was surrounded and thronged by members
from all parts of the hall, seeking to take him
by the hand and welcome him to the Capt.
toll; and his room is constantly occupied by
friends made by his unyielding integrity and
fral devotion to the true interests of the ma
ton during the stormy period when the bat
tie of freedom was being fought upon the
floor of Congress. If new bureau is crea-
ted, it is probable that he may be selected to
manage it, and no man in the nation is better
fitted to serve the country as Commissioner |
of Freedmens' Affairs.
The Wisconsin delegation in Congress is !