Year: 1863

The W shinelcn Gispatcbr~ 10 the New York
the following comments in reference 20 an inn
portant conference Of the Republican leaders
about TO be held at the national capital:


most important gathering of prominent Re
pubiicans j. about 10 be held in ths. CITY W lord
has been sent to all the leaders of the payy 60
meet in Washington within the coming week
The object of this sudden gathering OF the clans
is so tar mystery. BY some il is believed to
have reference to The draft, with view to The
uithdrawa of an enforced conscripliop and the
substitution of a voluntary call


The thesry which obtaiBs most credence, how
ever. is. that neas has been recei, ed from the
) uth that the le sding rebels are willing come
back into the Union provided terms are offered
them. There IL every reason To believe that the
whole Southern people. leaders aud all are heart
ily s,k ot their war tor Independence. The rebel
military power is tumbliBg to pieces. Facts
which have 10 the knowledge of General
Halleck aud the War Department within the last
two weeks, are Of the most resssuring character
J. Is known that the rebel armies are virtually
demorslzed, ind in no part of the South can be
held toaetner Davis would never have issued
the frantic appeal to deserfers to come
back to their regiments were 1t not that
the whole army was diss living into its original
elements Tue rrfncipal cause or trouble with
the troops Is the fact that their wages in real
m0ney does not amount 10 more thsn one dollar
per month With this rhey are unable to provide
themselves with even the smallest necessities of
the camp All their hopes have failed. While
invading Maryland aud Pennsylvania they felt
confident of being able to maintain themselves
in the enemy's country But, once on the south
side OF the Potomac, after having been beaten at
Gettysburg, the rebel armv under Lee became





ties of transportation at the South, but few of
the in the army had their families since
first they entered the rebel service With all
hope in the CunledeIscy gone, these men have
unanimously determined TO return 20 their homes,
and the refusal of Lee to grant furloughs has
added to the wide spread discomfort OF his troops
This state of affsirs has had its effect upon the
rebel leaders. and it is reported that while they
still hive a show of force. they wish to make the
best tep ms possible with the Federal Government.
Hence the meeting of the friends of the Admin
istrstion To be held in the capital WITHIN the CON-
ing two weeks


1t is idle ut this time to speculate as TO the
actiun of this Informal convention. reason
which will I've urged in Republican circles in favor
OF putting stop 10 the war, has been found in
the tremendous unpopularity of the conscription
act. Its effect in every section of the North has
been the sanie-it has thrown the whole popula-
ton en- inssse against the Administration. The
more shrewd and less fanatical nf the Republican
lie iders argue that were the Administration TO
close the now, and put stop TO the conscrip-
ton il would secure new lease Of life and popu.
larity. The people would be grateful not only
for the ending Of the war aud the rehabilitation
of the Union, but for the stoppage Of the odious
draft. OF course no terms will be considered
satisfactory to the Republican leaders that involve
any-the slightest political strength to the insur
gent States. Ii would do for their party
objects to permit the South to form a Union with
the Democratic party again to rule the country.