Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-02-03
A Rebel View of the Coming United
States Presidential Election.

Leap year brings round again in the
United States the turmoil and excitemen,
Of a presidential election. Events of fear.
full weight and Importance have passed
in the interval which has elapsed since
we of the South descended into that arena
and took part in the struggle. They have
made hideous and bloody gulf, which
blocks up all return to the feelings and
the interests which swayed US then. Yet
as 1t bears upon the prospects and the
vicissitudes of this ruthless war, we must
look with watchfuiness and curiosity upon
the recurrence of that periodical struggle
tor place and power. Although it is diff.
lcult to penetrate the dark curtain of the
future, and to discern exactly how our
own welfare may be effected bv the no.
lltlcal complexion of the United States.
yet it Is evident that the whole solution
OF the mighty question which agitates the
continent may hang upon it, and scarcely
possible that it will not be essentiallv
concerned by it. LincoIn's term draws
rapidly to close. Already it is counted
by months instead of years. The polite
al caldron is beginningto bubble, and
expectation is aroused to see what form
will emerge from its agitated depths.
Caucuses, conventions, resolutions, plat
forms, and all that paraphernalia which
Is adroltly managed to form and abide
popular will, and which, in representa-
tive governments, takes the place of court
~ pomp, raree-shows and military DISPLAY
IN monarchical countries, are in full vogue
The Democrats present-resolutions of nat
rIotlc adherence to the Constitution, and.
Initiating the Black Republicans in their
tondness for anniversaries, fix their ma
tlonal convention for the Fourth of july
Chicago is the place, perhaps, under the
idea that it is lucky. Lincoln is bv no
means disposed to give place to any other
candidate. AT one time it might have
been supposed that he would disnense on
tlrely with the formality of an election
and retain his seat on the pretextof tbo
necessity of so doing until the Termination
of this war. To do this would renuire tba
cordial support of the army, and the soIdi.
ers will naturally be disposed to resist
the exclusion of their own favorite chief
Inc United States have reached that stage
IN the progress of war when military
"a, asserts its supremacy overall Others,
Inc taVorlte OF the army.is, therefore, Lin
CONS probable successor. In his own
CABINET, too, there are rival claims to his
own. Inc subtle intriguer, Seward,
seems to have had his day. Though a
powerful agent in exciting the war, his
Is not the temperament fitted to "ride on
the whlrlwind and direct the storm. !"
Chase is the most powerful of the civilians.
and he is the favorite of Greeley and the
radicals Official influence and corrupt-
ion will. of course, be brought to bear in
favor OF the different politicians, vet
military popularity is likely to override |
1t is hard to forecast the effect of this
election upon the progress of the war.
It Is safe to infer, however, that anv
;9ange will be beneficial to the South,
Lincoln and his party are SO irrevocablv
to, and indissolubly linked
WITH the continuance of the war. that wa
IAN hope for no peace from them save bv