Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-13
134tt0,
FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH "a, la2s.

The new Ca6inc.--is at last formed, and with thu
exception of Mr.. Mclean, consists us was at fins
announced, of Mr.. Van Buren,, Secretary of State,
lngham, of Treasury; Brunch. of Navy; Eaton, q
War; and Barry, Postmaster General
We understand that Mr.. MeLean,s retirement
from the political ARENA is entirely voluntary, ans
not the effect as many suppose, of gentle vioterce
Ills motives We have very little doubt, arc thos,
which we have surmised, viz: dissatisfaction with IT,
composition OF the Cabinet distrus Of their abiit
and views, belief that the country can have no conf
dence in them and disposition to avoid the respon
sbility of their counsel and measures. Whatever HID
motives We regret most truly, his REIMBURSEMENT O.
the helm Of the General Post Office, after all, tlr
most important Department of the Government, and
which he has so energeticaly conducted. This re-
sretis enhanced by what we understand to be tho
character of Mr.. Barry, LIS successor-who though
ashewy man, Is said to be idle in his habits, and de-
Vod Oh the particular sort of capacity essential to
successful administration of his new duties.
Inc Hero 1t seems was not to be moved from his
choice OF Eaton as Secretary of War. The Incl
cents OF their respective lives had begotten fellow
feehng too strong and intimate, to be shaken by pal
Try considerations of qualification for office If he
himself was fit for President, the General yery matt,
rally argued, that Maj Eaton his superior in pol,;c
information. was fit to be Secretary of Var. And SO
he may prove, but it is experiment, uuSustifiabtc
from the superior abilities which the General had at
hand and indefensible on the score of Difference 70
public opinion and private morals. If the duties of
the Department far less arduous than they re-
any are-ii mediocrity was competent to discharge
them-yet as the first Offices in the Government
they ought to be conferred upon the most eminent
men IN It, for the sake fading dignity to the gov
vernment ITSELF and inspiring the confidence and re-
spect ofthe people. Neither dignity Is added to the
GovernHent nor any high confidence or respect he
lett al IN administration, three out of five of Which,
consist OF Inghum, Branch and Eaton These g,ntic.
men Inadequate to their high stations are not known 90
De SO. They are in truth, unknown as statesmen TO
the people OF the U. States. They have no pera-
ohg reputation. They could not be looked up TO-
III the event OF any national crisis. Had they died
TWO months ago. their fame would not have survived
DIS many years Mr. lngham has some reputation as
business man. he is supposed competent to trans
uct the details OF business. But he has little eleya
ton oil charactcr-no fixed principles of politics
nus ever been dabbler in the dirtiest poo,s
OF pennsylvania politcs-is morte aged soul and body
to Mr. Cahoun-has abandoned nil nar,;es !, HE
own state in turn ever cleavng to the strongest for
the TIME being and Is incapable indeed of acting upon
any other motives than such as are personal to Sam
~ inghan' lie Is the man who dug up the bones
Oh OLD John Adams, ut the Bucks county meeting,
and dwelling on bis errors, forgot his great
revolutionary services. Though superior in capa-
CITY to Branch or Eaton, he is far moro OBJ
Jechonable than either. Lie is despicable as n
politician for the contractedness of his ends and the
dirty means by which he is errcady to pursue them
we have marked tho man, and our estiInate of bis
character is sustained by many who have been brot
into legislative contact with him, and who know him
WELL lie is another example of what oonsummate
ehrontery, unseepng sclishness, and ever ready
cunning, can do for man, where the road of prefer
mcnt Is open to all. He has good deal of what is
caled tact-the result with him, not of an cnlarged
philosophical study or observation of human nature,
Out OF the constantly recurring sefexomination how
would samuel ID. lngham, think, feel or act, were he
situated so and so' When the subject of this inter
nal speculation resembles the self cutecst in char
acter, Mr. Ingham doubt hits the nail on the bead
and shows his tact. When he happens to be Of
higher and nobler order, the speculation fails. But.
as men of his own order are oftcncr met with than
more frequently hits than misses--and hence his
success in politics.
Gov. Branch is gentleman Of a different and
superior character, though of inferior Abilities We
nave had frequent opportunities of hearing him in
debate, and elsewhere, and tho impression ma de was
not reTy vivid or favourable lie possesses very lit
tic information, and as is generally tho case is pro-
violent, and bigoted. He is no debater
having neither the fund to draw upon, nor the man.
Ter to make it available, if he had but he is est eenr
ID by all, an honorable and patriotic man. who would
20 less dogmatical and bgotcd, if he had more
knowledge. His industry and turn for business are
aid to be conspicuous, and as Mr.. Southland turns
'im over the Navy Department in excellent order and
and as no duty Of Originating will be i'm.
'oscd upon him, we think he will be able to yet A.
ong with the business pretty emartlv. We have No