The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-04-10
The Rsture--nIrs LincslnA FsSthco1a.
inG Preclanssion - The lnsarkcntss
= [Spscial Dispatch TO the World M
q 8 @ WASHINGTON, April 6

It is understood here that Pre6ldent
Lincoln is about to Issue proclamation
from Richmond, in accordance with the
almost unanimous wish of the northern
people, defining the terms upon which
the rebels must resume their allegiance
to the Union, and appealing to them to
stop their utterly suicidal resistance to
the constituted authorities. There is
much curiosity expressed as to the pre-
else form which the proclamation will
have, and much anxiety is felt by lead
ers of the Democratic party, the difficult
ty being, that, while Mr. Lincoln and his
friends are willing enough that the south
ern people shall have their rights of per-
son and property, neither are willing that
thew shall have all thar political rights,
or equal political rights with the people
of the North, and thus be in position to
form combination with the future
opposition party of the loyal States
to Dust the present administration
and dominant political organization from
power. This serious problem has been
the subject of grave and anxious discus
sisn among the Republican leaders here
during the past three months, and there
are already two well defined parties upon
the terms of settlement with the insur-
gents. One of these is in favor of allow
ing unrestricted suffrage to the negroes,
upon the theory that the freed blacks
would generally vote with the Republi-
can party and thus neutralize or offset
the vote of the Southern whit, Opposi-
ton. The other boldly announces that,
having given the negroes their freedom,
the administration cannot be expected
to do more, and it is in favor, therefore,
of giving the privilege of voting solely
to the whites, excluding all the blacks,
adopting, as basis of representation, i'll
degree, that which obtains in the State
of New York, which gives representation
only to the tax.paying negroes and ma
tive whites; the difference being as sta
ted, that no negro shall be allowed repre-
sentation. If this policy could be car
ried into effect, the freedmen would be
deprived not only of their right of
suffrage, but of voice or representa-
ton by population in Congress; and by
this means the congressional strength of
the South wonld be weakened by at least
twenty-five votes in future House of Rep
resentatives. The Republicans who ia
vor this last scheme argue that, if the
South were so far reduced in representa-
ton, they would be easily OutvOted, both
mt the polls and in Congress. The new
States which are to be made after the
fashion set in the case of West Virginia,
would also add to the Republican
strength in the Senate. The country may
as we'll understand, first rs last, that the
most stupendous if not the sole. Difficult
ty i'm the way of pacilicatiOn lies in the
apprehension felt by the Republican
leaders as to the fate of their party in the
event of a simple reunion, or a reunion
which shall give the southern people all
their political as we'll as personal rights;
and how to avoid this is the knotty prob
lem which gives Mr.. Lincoln pause. A
number of very influential Republicans
assert that the southern people should be
entirely DISTINGUISHED, and the seeded
or dislOyal States reduced to the cOndi-
| ton of territories; but such purpose
cannot be avoided during the prevalence
| of the present magnaDimOus temper OF
the public mind Hence, while Mr. Lin
coin and his advisers realize the immense
effect of generous proffers to the south
erners in a spirit of Cancellation and kind
ness, they dread the possible conse-
auences of restoration of political pow
er to the mass of Southern white people
If Mr.. Lincoln Eliminates Il proclamation
| from Jefferson Davis late residence i'll
Richmond. as it is said he designs to do,
the document will be eagerly scanned
by all Republicans, and especially by the
| leaders, in order to see if the President
has committed his party to what they be.
believe prospectively disastrous line OF
| oolicy