The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-02-09

shocked Dy Sucn q -ScanOhlOus -apOSIacy, |,
continued, to receive Weed at the White
House; nay, to frequently send after him
to Albany to como and give him counseL----
1t was then that we again called attention
to the fact that Lincoln had been Tylerized,
and laid down the broad assertion that he
would endeavor to run for the succession as
the conservative candidate. If any yet
hang back from this opinion, they will soon
be able, clearly to decide. ,e .
All this has been brought about in the
conscience of naturally well-intentioned
man, by the ecorrupting temptation ofa
double term; and we may Judge somewhat
further of the double vigor of that demor'
alizing influence by the fact, that the pa
tronage of the Government is not only be
ing squandered at this moment to debauch
the Legislatures into an Illicit nomination
of Mr.. Lincoln, but he has actually been
engaged, of late, in granting pardons to
military rebels, who are above the high
water mark of the amnesty proclamation,
in order that they may come within our
lines and electioneer to carry ont his per-
sonal purposes. -..., .+..
As for the amnesty proclamation itselfaps
piled as it is to rush Louisiana, Arkansas
and Tennessee back into the Union, in time
for the June Convention, it looks wonder
fully like dodge to recruit votes for Uncle
Abraham in that body. He must be aware
from the specimen Of Border State patriots
who are now in Congress, that these sudden
proselytes will become the natural defen-
ders of disloyal neighbors, and that when
the reconstructed State is back and can
again cast all its votes, they may relapse
with the malcontents into the slough of the
rebellious "institution," like Reverdy John
son. Garret Davis, and their representative
train. To our mind, therefore, this rapid
reconstruction of the seeded States is pre-
mature. They should be held in abeyance,
until the National Constitution is amended
against slavery, and once in under that
guarantee, there can be no secession, re-
cantation or relapse. This view should have
struck the mind of man tall enough to
be President, and perhaps it did; but If
it did, what are We to think of Mr.. Lincoln's
principles in being willing to risk an un-
timely movement, for the mere sake of the
hastily constructive votes it would contri-
butte to his personal cause in June These
things are, in themselves, lesson against
the project of double term, and should
serve as particular warning against Mr..
Lincoln. Should he succeed, he will, at
the expiration of that second term, be still
eligible to another term. and we can
readily conceive, from the way in which he
has used his patronage already, that he
may, if he be allowed to carry his conser-
vative machine "over the centre" into easy
running, repeat himself too often for the
matter to be regarded as joke. There is
no safety for republican liberty, under our
vastly ncre ased armies and immensely dis
tended national debt, but to restrict our
powerful President hereafter to single
term and the proper way to dictate that
amendment to the Constitution, is to re.
buke Mr. Lincoln's aspiration for re-elec-
ton.
But in addition to the political reasons
against q double term, and especially at
this time, Mr.. Lincoln is perhaps the most
unfit man among all the candidates of the
loyal side, for the tremendous tasks and re-
sponsibilities of the next four years. The
true war with the rebellion is yet to come.
What has thus far taken place in arms is
merely dazzling military prologue, and the
grand body of the epic is to be performed
in the halls of Congress and in the Exeeu.
tive chamber. The future of this country,
nay, the welfare of all laboring mankind,
depends upon the character of the adjust
ment, and in view of such momentous
task, We doubt if any but salaried retainer
Or some hopeful mendicant, will pretend for
an instant that such responsibilities would
be properly lodged in the hands of Mr..
Lincoln. Seldom resolved, except to be in
doubt, be never progresses but when ham.
mered by the people. He has been wrest-
ed, step by step, from his stubborn resis-
tence to liberal reforms, as our lroops have
wrested territory from the rebels, and with
this insight, We have every reason to be
lieve We should find him still more reluc-
tant to practical advancement while en-
deavoring to "rope in" the country on the
1t behooyes the liberal party therefure,
and all who would protect the country
from the dangerous precedent of second
term, to take immediate measures to con.
struct fresh National Committee, outside
of the Seward and Lincoln machine" that
it may proclaim an election Of delegates to
new Union National Convention. for the
naming Of candidate for President. Lin
co & Co., who are now conservatives, and
who have purchased the old Republican
truck for its running qualities alone, may
then be safely left to amuse themselves as
they will. and conservative themselves still
further, if they please, by taking Fernando
or Mcclellan, as a subordinate balance for
their ticket. By the course We suggest, a
healthy organization can be put on foot,
and an Administration worthy of the
country may be chosen. Without
such independent organization, Lincoln will
walk over the course, for he has already
brought up the old Committee; but with a
proper means for truly popular expression
his chances will be reduced to nothing. The
country is all right in tone. 1t has been
willing to laugh at Mr.. Lincolns jokes, for
a season; but now the true strain Of our in.
stitutions is approaching. it itreqoires courage
aud decorum in the chair of State. - =
- hoGn-o Ill