Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-05-01

WASHINGTON, April q, 1861.
I Editors Memphis Appeal.
All the efforts of the politicians are
now directed to the next presidential
/ election. While the republican leaders
are perfecting their organization, through
I the union league associations, which
they are extending secretly, like q net
over the south, yet there is a GER
tain degree of uncertainty as to the
/ shape and form of the next contest for
the presidency. A prominent man in the
republican party recently a in private
conversation that his party would haze
to lay down a platform accepting the
status of universal freedom, with
its logical results; but, beyond
that, dealing in generalities. 1t" il
worthy Of observation, that Senator
| Wilson, in his Richmond speech, makes
a special appeal to the Old-line Henry
| Clay wings to join his party. He also
! appeals to such Of the secessionists as
I accept the situation fully. Beyond all
doubt, the obstacle to reconstruction has
been the apparent sympathy between
the south and the democratic party
north. The republicans would bid high
/ for southern support. One OF the leading
men Of that party said lately that If the
south would meet his party half way,
they having the control of the govern
ment, would exercise the greatest libe-
rality to build up the material interests
Of the south. What keeps up the repub-
liean organization is the fear that the
south and the democracy may get control
ofthe government. That is represented as
a possible thing, full of all kinds Of dan
gers. Gen. Houston said he did more
to carry annexation in the United States
than any one else, by coquetting with
Great Britain on the subject. The
south is now in the condition Of having
two suitors, the republican and the dem
ocratic party. If neither sutton had
cause 10 despair, she would soon have
the game in her own hands. Then all
the appliances of party north would be
put in operation to establish fraternity
and concord with the south.
From the tendency to disturbances at
various points south, about the street
cars, the most recent Of which is at
Richmond, the privilege Of riding on
the cars must be considered a decided
luxury. 1t seems this is the only
grievance the colored people have to
fret themselves about. In this city
they have this privilege, and it
is not found to be any peculiar benefit TO
them or loss to anybody else.
The government are in no haste to I'M
dertake the trial of Surratt. Itisssid they
cannot make out the case against him.
II certain witnesses who were examined
in the trial of Mrs. Surratt and the others
before the military commission, are
brought into court, it is said they will be
proved to be entirely unworthy Of belief.
Surratt's counsel are confident of his ac-
quittal. If he is acqHitted, his acquittal
will 90 far to show that his mother was
unjustly executed.
The president is expecting 500 to go
south, as far as Raleigh certainly, to
participate in @SiDg a memorial over
his fathers grave. It is said he will ex-
tend bis journey farther south-e If he
goes, he will be accompanied by Mr..
Seward, who is to play the orator on the
occasion, the president being admonished
by his northwestern trip of the ~eloquence
Of silence.
Although there is such a panic in dnan-
cial circles in London and Paris in re-
gard to the Erench-P russian war, the
impression in official circles here is, that
peace will be preserved for the present