Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-22
ALEXANDRIA, ID. G..
FRInlY MORNING. APRIL %, 1851.
THE Ei-CABINET.

The National lntellisencer OF yesterday. after re-
nubshing from the Globe, the article in elatOn to
Inc dissolution Of the Cabinet, and the pond
ence between Mr.. Van Buren, aud the President
On the subject published in this paper yesterday!
aOpcads a few remarks, which So fully meet our
IDEAS, that we take pleasure in transplantinS
them into our columns. In addition to which, as
Postscript, is given a copy of Major Eaton's let
';r Of esgnation and the Presidents reply.
From the National hsisligencsr of yesterday.
The resignation, in mass, Of the highest Cabi-
net officers, however frequent in Great Britain,
when public sentiment there, or the loss OF a ma
Orty in parliament forces them to retire, is a
novel occurrence in our country, and constitutes
Az epoch in the history of the United States. 1t
IS an event, however, which, though unexpected,
perhaps, TO many, will surprise but few. The dis
seItiOns which were known to have long existed
among the members of the administration had pre-
pared the public mind for change OF some sort;&,
as either the Dismissal of one of the antagonist
parties, or its retenton. threatened serious dis
content in the ranks of the rival division of the
jackson party, we presume, as a measure of COM
promise, and to avert further alienation be-
tween them, resignation of the whole Cabinet
vas agreed on; for it is understood that the At
mrney General has also rendered his resignation.
The salvation Of the party, it was plain, demand
I'd this course, and It has been prudently adopt
3D. rhus has our Cabinet, as Junius said of the
Rockingham Administration, "dissolved IN its
own weakness" and, it may be added, by the
drscotlance OF its materials.
We have hazarded a conjecture concerning
tie operative cause Of the dissolution, without re-
sortlng To the correspondence between the Presi-
dent and the Secretary of State, which it might
sNupposed would furnish full explanation.-
Mr.. Van Buren's letter (the ouly one accompa-
O'iOs the designations which has been given to
mepubllc) is studiously occult on this interest
ins subject, though it is ushered in with an apo
Iosy Tor being so prolix IN explaining the causes,
N reatlon'at least to his own case. 1t would
seem, from the Presidents reply, that the Secre-
hrys statement was quite Ineligible to him;
on as he possibly possesses facilities for inter
preung it, derived from collateral sources, the
general reader, being destitute of this advantage.
nav be excused If he be somewhat at fault IN
reading the expose of the honorable Secretary.
Alone moment he would seem to have resigned
o'calse the office of Secretary of State was pO-
Hoon uniavOrabe to s'ulterior" operations tor
,ae s'esldency, and that he had no idea OF being
Geerred from them By ''self ACKNOWLEDGMENT
na' ms Injurious conjecture is forthwith chased
S"lYoy his lntImation that recent occurrences
h4i rendered his situation painful to his delicacy;
a0a the Iaudable ambition Of doing act Of disin-
crested patriotism, which would carry with it ~
once the charm of novelty and the weight of a
l'ecedent, appears to have produced this resisna-
UOa
These and sundry other interpretations which
MS letter invites, present themselves TO the mind
minlck succession, until at last the letter is put
aside, III despair Of understanding what was the
precise motive for the honorable Secretary's re-
nrement. 1t is quite possible that the necessity
"h'ch the honorable Secretary felt for resisnms
vas OfsO perplexed, or perplexing a character
NAT he was sincerely embarrassed himself when he
At down to the task ofexplainms 1t. ON.
vi the contemplated arrangements for Mining
Aevacancies, we know as little as our readers;
nGash ruuOr has not been idle. Indeed, the
|Melal Journal leaves room for doubts. wbether
ne vacancies are TO be supplied at all.
FROM this, "says the Globe, speaking OF the
,essnations, 81. is inferred that new organl.
<'uon OF the Cabinet is to take place" All the
SECRETARIES have resigned, and yet It IS only N,
re srrea that their places are to be filled again
ine President, indeed, intimates in the postscript
" MS letter to Mr.. VAN buren,, that new Sc
''e'aFy OF State win be appointed; but, whether