Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-04-15


IT would seem from the call published
in our dispatches yesterday, that the status
of the Virginia reconstruction movement
is as yet very questionable affair. We
confess TO no little surprise at the phase
which it is assuming. If we understand
the object Of the call it is to get together
the rebel Governor and Lieut.. Governor OF
the State and several leading members Of
the late rebel legislature, and these all to-
gethtr are 10 initiate or suggest or some
way influence measures looking to the
manner and conditions under which Vir-
gIpia is TO come back again into the Union.
Norbipg is said of the Alexandria execu-
tive or legislative government. We see no
names from that source included in the
call. The comments of the Richmond
Wing on the document do not afford US any
satisfaction. They are as follows:
Itis understood that this invitation has
been put forth in pursuance Of the plan OF
proceedings assented to by President Lin
coin. Al all events it will be hailed by
the great body of the people of Virginia,
as the fret step towards the reinstatement
OF the old Dominion in the Union. It ie
probable that some Of the members of the
Legislature may decline tocome. In every
such case the people of the county OF
Senatorial District should select some in-
f1ential and intelligent citizen who is will
ing TO take part in this business, and com.
mission him as far aB they can to repre-
cent them at the conference. The views aud
purposes of The members of the Leglsla.
Iure should be ascertained at once. Every
one can forsee difficulties in the Way of
formal action in the beginning, Several
complex questions are to be met at the
threshold, but where there is will there is
away, and whatever the d faculties present.
ed, The important business must be UNDER
taken.
The complex questions alluded to in the
above comments of the WHig are perhaps
those vaguely alluded to in the call itself,
viz:
"The matters to be submitted to the Leg
isla,ure are the restoration Of peace to the
State of Virginia, and the adjustment of
the questions involving life, liberty and
prop rty, that have arisen in the State as
Il consequence of war;"
Neither the Language of the call or the
subsequent remarks of the Wing afford us
any definite or satisfactory idea of the full
scope of President Lincoln's agreement or
understanding with the leading rebels at
Richmond. We interpreted the under
standing, in an article few days since, to
be, that it involved simply an agreement
to allow certain prominent rebels to come
together and profess their own determine.
ton to submit themselves to the new order
of things, and also to issue appeals and
addresses to the people of Virginia to fol.
low their example. We cannot conceive
that the intent of Mr.. Lincoln goes beyond
this understanding. Certainly he has no
notion of recognizing for q moment men
who are liable any day to arrest, condem-
nation aod death for treason, as hold
ing any de jure functions whatever. The
men named in the call are out.
lawed by the terms of the Presidents
Amnesty proclamation. Hunter, Caperton,
Smith, Montague, McMulleu and such
'Hen are without the pale of grace even, ex-
cePt by future provision. What would the
State of Virginia be like when reconstruct.
ed according to their feslingsi We ask
this question merely to show the absurdity
ofsuOh proceeding. We leave out of the
question the existence of a fully rs-or-
gained and legitimate State government
in Virginia, behind which the President of
the United States dare not go. 1t is not
for Mr.. Lincoln to ignore the Alexandria
government. Already it has been recog-
niEed by him, by all his executive chiefs
and, more than all, by Congress. 1t is the
only government known to day to the law,
oithe United States. 1t 10 the only gov
erument that can sit at Richmond and su.
thOritativsIy do any act of legislation fol
the State OF Virginia. The fact, asto wha
We state, is absolute and uuquestionable
As Ian official fact there is no room for argu
ment or doubt. Therefore We are unVil
ling yet to believe, and we do no
accordingly believe, that President Lin
Lincoln is holding out any acknowledge
ment to the rebel members Of the lateIyir-
ginIa legislature, as to their official powe,
in the State, or as to any status on tbei,
part except that of mere representatives, by
reason Oftheir late antecedentp, of public
feeliug, and as such better fitted to come
together aud confess their own errors, and
urge upon all their allies and friends
throughout the State to do the same thing
than any otherclass of men. IupIaiu words
we incline to the opinion that the Presi
dent is simply making use of Messrs. Hun
ter, osPer'ou, Smith & Co., as individuals,
for the time b ing, with the view of pre-
PaFirg the way for the installation of the
restored government at Richmond.
GEN- GRASF has a very captivating way
with hin. He is the only one of our Gem