The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-13
THE GALAXY.
MlDDLEBURY, VT.
Tuesday, March 13, l849.
THE CABINET.

been made in its composition from what wa:
then expected-and fuller information having
been received as to the views of the severa
members, some Of whom have hitherto min
gled little in public affairs. We intimated
that the Navy Department and the Attorney,
Generalsbip, at the time of our last issue, were
still in doubt-though the former had been Of
fered to Mr.. LAWRENCE, and the latter, it was
expected, would be given to Mr.. PRESTON, OF
Virginia The new Department Of the 1nte-
rior, also,was not then certainly known to have
been created. Aside from these three Depart
ments, the Cabinet stands as before indicated,
being constituted as follows:
JOHN Nj. CLAYTON, of Del, Sec. of State.
WIN. NJ. MEREDITH, q" Penn, " of Treasury.
Gro. w. CRAWFORD, Ga, War.
VIZ. B. PRESTON, L" Va, Navy.
Thomas EWING, O., Interior.
JACOB CoLLAMER, VT, P. NJ. General.
REvERDY JOHNSON, Md, Atty General
OF the distinguished statesman who stands
at the head of this important council, We have
already spoken, as eminenily fitted for tine po-
sition le is to occupy, and worthy Of the conf
dcnce of all sections of the Union. A decid
ed Wing, his measures will be marked by no
violent extremes, and by no needless innova-
tions, probably, upon the policy of his prede-
cessors, simply for the sake of showing that
the Administration has changed hands. A
Southern man, he will throw no obstacles in
the way of the Wilmot Professionalism
his recorded vote in its favor. So far. too, as
our relations with foreign nations are concern
ed, VIC may calculate on peaceful and concil-
iatory spirit-neither easily exasperated at
lrihes and eager to seize pretexts for war, nor
ambitious of annexation and conquest.
Mr.. MEREDITH is distinguished lawyer of
Philadelphia some experience in the po-
litical affairs of his own State, though never
before, we believe, called to serve in nation
al capacity. Like Mr. Clayton, he is Wing,
but not a violent partizan and though coming
from the strong Tariff State of Pennsylvania,
it is believed that, should he err upon the ques-
ton of Protection, it will be from too moder-
ate course to suit the friends of a high pro-
tective Tariff, rather than from an attempt to
carry into effect ultra measures on this subject.
While, therefore, we must not calculate too
strongly on securing all that we, in Vermont,
might wish on this point, We ought to bear in
mind that there are other sections of the In
ion to be cared for, and to trust that our par
ticular views will be carried out, SO far as the
good Of the whole will permit. As for the 9TH
er duties of the Department, We judge that
they have been entrusted TO one who is fitted
to discharge them with credit and fidelity.
MIR. CRAWFORD is said to be nephew of
the distinguished William II. Crawford, who
was candidate for the Presidency in 1924
lie was elected Governor of his State, in 1915,
and served ore term. with much popularity
and success, declining a reelection.
Mr. Preston is young nan, a member of
the late Congress, (the first in which he has
served from District which had never before
sent Wing Representative. He is said to be
lawyer of good talents, and popular at Wash
ington. He was originally talked of as At
orney-General, but was assigned the Navy
Department, after the refusal of Mr.. Lawrence
to accept that appointment.
MIR. EWING is a man of years and of much
public experience, and vol calculated, we be-
lieve, to organize the new Department, and to
give character and efficiency to its administra-
ton.
Mr.. CoLLAMEE is too favorably known in
this State, for his abilities as LAWYER and
judge for his fuency and tact as popular
speaker; and for the industry and energy which
characterized his six years service in the House
of Representatives; to need more particular
mention at our hands. We cannot however,
let this occasion pass without expressing our
sense of the honor done to our State by giving
us the only Cabinet member from New Eng
landau honor which it was reserved for Gen.
Taylor to bestow, without any precedent to di-
rect his choice.
Mr.. JOHNSON is one ofthe most distinguish
ed iurists in the nation. and, on this account,
is well fitted for the place he occupies under
the new Administration. But, while we arc
not disposed to complain Of what is irrevocable,
and while we admit the entire competency Of
MIR. johnson, Southern prejudices aside, to be
the legal adviser Of the President, and to con-
duct the affairs of the department to which
the latter has called him we aie compelled to
say that this appointment gives us the least
satisfaction of all-not only because we be-
lieve it due to the eminent abilities and the
extensive and enviable reputation of Senator
PHELPs-as we have heretofore said-but al
so because we should have been better pleased
that this member of the Cabinet should have
been entirely free from that Southern thral
dom, which so naturally influences all legal de
cisions where Slavery is at all concerned
Judge PHELPS needed no such appointment