Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-03-03
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1864.
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.

Recent expressions of public opinion in favor
Of different candidates for the next Presidential
term have made every reader aware that hence
forward the political campaign is destined to share
with the military large degree Of sthat interest
and attention which had been previously concen-
trated on the latter And the politicians have got
the start Of our generals for while the latter have
been resting in their winter quarters and are
now scarcely putting their columns in motion, the
former have been marshalliDg their forces and pre-
pairing their combinations for the impending elec-
toral struggle iOthe coming autumn.
It is known to our readers that we have taken
no part in initiating or stimulating any of these
movements. AS chroniclers Of the times through
which we are passing we have been content merely
to record these political developments as they
emerged into public view, that our readers might
be in condition to know the tendencies Of opin-
ion and the elements of difference that seem des-
tined to give shape and color to the approaching
Presidential canvass. Like cur contemporary, the
New York Evening Post, we may say that it has
never been our practice to take part in the discus
sions of the merits of prominent persons, or Of
their claims to Office, which apt to precede the
meeting of National and State Nominating Con-
ventious We have always thought that journal
representing cause and not man is better en-
ployed in investigating the principles involved in
our public contests, in incucating what it sup
poses to be the truth, than in dissectng the char
aoters of individuals. But as others Cfrom their
point of view we doubt not very properly pre-
scribe to themselves less reserve in sxcb matters,
and are not satisfied with the defence of principles
except as they are embodied in some man selected
., their representative, and as the names and
claims Of different persons thus become the rallyng
points Of different political denominations which by
their action and counteraction impress q definite
resultant direction on the drift of public opinion
in the country, it is proper that we should place
distinctly before our readers the competing preten
sioua of the several candidates who presented
the exponents of different shades Of public policy
deemed to be expedient and just in the present
emergency.
First in the order Of time among the distin-
ouished names which have been commended to the
popular consideration in connexion with the next
PreAl0enCV
abilities which he is held by his admirers to have
diepayed in organizing and combining our military
forces for the gigantic war in which the country
was suddenly plunged; the early and clear percep-
tiou he had Of the magnitude of the task imposed
on the Government by the insurrection; the skill
he displayed in conducting the army of the Poto-
mac alike in its advance and in its retreat, when
the latter necessity was imposed on it by adverse
fortune: the devotion he has been able to inspire
among his comrades in arms the patience with
vh;ch he has borne the disfavor Of his military
superiors, booming him to inactivity; the sympathy
created by the unjust assaults and aspersions OF
which he has been made the mark by prejudioed
political opponents; the consistent views he has
entertained as the political objects for which the
v,r ,hould be conducted--ai these have conspired
10 give him strong hold upon the public mind
without distinction Of party, and have made linn
.nec;.l fayorite among those who assimilate with
him in his views Of public policy. Whether his
name ,haII continue to be used as the symbol OF
,hose Who hold to the necessity and justice of the
v,r for the Union, but who differ from the present
Administration in some Of the principles on which
IL .hould be conducted, depends on contingencies
that do not admit Of any certain forecast At fh'i
early stage of the preliminary canvass
Among the political adherents of the Admins
tration the name of President LINCOLN has been
conspicuously brought forward for reelection, and
after having been commended to popular favor BY
the Repub lean members Of the Legislatures of Sc
veral States, he has recently had the satisfaction
Gee the delegates from several States to the next
Nominating Convention of his party instructed tc
vote for him as the standard bearer Of the Repub
,icans in the spproashiog contest. In the pre-
.eoce Of such manifestations it is no longer doubted
,b.t the present incumbent OF the Presidential
chair is willingly candidate for reelection, as, il
he proposed to claim q release from tho cares o.
Office at the expiration of his current term, ne
would hasten to put an end to the demonstrations
made in his favor, by announcing his purpose 'e
retire into private life on the fourth Of March next
II will be remembered by our readers that, while
he was a candidate for The Presidency In 1901
Mr.. Lincoln announced that, if elected, ne would
serve but for Q single term--the "onetcrm prin
oiplep being, We may add, doctrine to which, a
an old Whig and supporter Of Henry Clay, h
vou,d naturally incline, as we'll from consideration