The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-25

The decision OF MIR. Webster 20 remain at
his post, affords a conclusive commentary on
| the precipitate resignation Of the other members
of the Cabinet. If they were anxious 70 retire
from the positions which they occupied IN the
councils Of the nation, the moment selected for
this purpose was peculiarly ill-advised Diff
ferences of opinion between the President and
Congress, with other Incidental circumstances,
were the alleged causes. But such crisis, of all
others, ought TO have admonished faithful minis
tiers 10 adhere TO the Executive with ten-fold
devotion. IT. at any time, their services were
OF more value than at another, II is at crisis Of
difficulty and embarrassment. There appears,
then, no sufficient apology for the combined
movement
As to the departure Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury, it cannot fail TO be relief TO the Pre-
sident, and source of congratulation 10 the
nation. The fact that, under any circumstan-
ces he was capable of revealing the private
councils OF the President, is proof positive that
he was utterly unworthy Of place in the Ca
binet. Ii is, however, source Of general re-
greet that the other Secretaries should have been
in such haste TO yield to an extrinsic and malign
influence, as TO enter into a combination to
abandon THEFT posts simultaneously, at the first
moment of trial. Suppose the single measure OF
a Bank had been lost between Congress and the
President. II is not Of the responsibility OF the
Secretaries. They have their appropriate du-
ties to perform, for which they are responsible.
The President has right to consult them on
bills from either House, but it does not follow
that they must forthwith resign, because their
opinions are not adopted. There are other inn
porant duties of legislation to be performed be-
sides creating National Bank. The hume
rous beneficial bills, signed by the President,
should have satisfied every candid man that he
was disposed to cooperate in all measures for
the public welfare.
The decision Of Mr.. Webster on this emer-
gency is worthy Of all praise, Notwithstanding
the unexampled efforts Of certain popular leaders
TO detach him from the councils of the Pre-
sident, he declared, that he had seen " no
sufficient reasons for the dissolution of the
late Cabinet, by the voluntary act of It's
own members" Can any thing be more
explicit and judicious2 No man is more
sharp-sighted, and no man more alive to
honor, than the Secretary of State. If any just
causes Of retirement were visible, he would
have perceived them at glance. But as he
saw no sufficient reasons, it may be taken for
granted that there were none. Under these cir
cumstances, and in compliance with the especial
wish of the President, he has remained steadfast
at his post, in spite of the appeals, and threats,
and taunts, Of a coalition formed to supplant the
Administration.
1t cannot be disguised, that the foreign affairs
VI tllc country are al tnlS moment, In a more
critical position than at any time since the last
war. The crisis is at hand, even at our doors,
which may involve us in war with the most
powerful maritime nation in the world
II ever there was an occasion, which, Of
all others, demanded a wise head, stout
heart, cool judgment, and long experience,
in our own affairs, and those of foreign
nations,-in short, statesman Of enlarged
and comprehensive views, in the Department
Of State, II exists at this moment. Search the
nation through, and more suitable agent could
not be found for the impending crisis than Dan
lei Webster Why, then, should he resign,
either, to justify the retirement of his late col
leagues, or at the instigation OF few members
OF Congress, or in consequence of assaults from
portion of the Wing press2 The very fact,
that he stands firm by the side Of the Presi-
dent, amid such combination of adverse cle-
ments, proves that he is suited to the emergency,
and, OF all others, most competent TO conduct
our foreign relations through the gathering
storm.