The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-02
The Last Shift of The Cabinet,

Caleb Gushing has unbosomed himself Ma
turally enough, he has, chosen as the recipients
of his confidence the two abolitionist organs of
this city-the Times and the Tribune. In
their columns Caleb, who has been all things
to all men and all parties in times past, ap-
peared yesterday in new and startling charac-
ter: that Of devoted friend to the Union.
Forrest playing Rosina in : Barbiere,' or Son
tag attempting Sir John Falstatf, would not
have seemed more i'll at ease. Petrinction is
better word than astonishment to express the
feelings which which people read the following
letter from the Attorney General to Mr.. Froth-
ingham -
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Oct 20, 1853.
DEAR SIR--i perceive that in several counties in
Massachusetts coalition senatorial tickets have been
formeo Of associated democrats aud free s1iers Ny
judgment Is tnat t1e dem Jcruts who ave plrci,ig
ed III this have done worse than to commit fatal
error. They have abandoned princple which is
tundame, Tall 10 support vote for the free soiiers
OF Massachusetts is to give countenance ard 20
persons engaged Tedy IN tue persistent agitation
OF tne slavery question, and therefore hostile in the
highest degree TO the determined poll " of the al
ministration. The President eDtertans vaole
convictions on this point as have had DC "a ion to
express 10 on heretofore and all Of whom he
called TO the pl lie service here most heartily and
jealousy sustain his views the subject a belag
the only ones consistent with PERSONAL nonor the
success OF the democratic parry, the general welfare
OF the country the integrity OF the constitution the
permanency VI tins Uiion Ii there be any purDo-e
more fixed than auother in tn mind of tue Presi
dent and those 81 h ahom he ac .ustomed to con-
suit 1t is that the dap gerous clement of aboooism
VI der whatever euise form it may present itself
Shall lie crushed out, SO ilr bis administrator is
concerned. THIS the President declared ia bis in
augura this he has declared SINCE, at all times,
ano ~ all places, when be mad occasion to speak on
the subject.
While he does not sumo to judge Of the hearts OF
men who publ ~ avow sonnd principles, he only
needs overt sc,s 70 show where they are in order
that bis settled policy in the conduct OF the affairs of
the government shall he unequigocaly naufes..
Those who have apprenended batting hesitation
On the part OF the President, in treading any path
Wb1eD trurh and PATRIOTISM open to him, Will fad
themselves greatly mistaken. He 10 to this 0cca
sien His policy was nor hastily settled. While he
occupies his present position il will never be depart
ed from The constitutional rig hts Of all the States
Of the Union are as dear to him the rights OF New
Hampshire.
have perceived from she outse. tha. this great
principle OF the cons tuition rights OF the States is
faseIsd Ill his thoughts as the CORNERSTONE of the
Union Depend upon it, no matter what conse
quences may lmpend over hun, he viii Bever ALLOW
II TO be shaken oy abolitlon.ts or f4cion,sts bat
VIII set his face like flint against rgbt-bauded buck
slldlngs as against lefthanded defectious which
may prtJIdiee or eInbaIrass the onward prsr As OF
Inc repupic. lTemain, very truly, yours,
g. CusaIyG.
Ilou H. ITULuinsudU, JF., BOSOM.
Caleb has perceived" the Massachusetts CO.
alitions We are glad to hear it. As lie was
himself their originator and chief sponsor, ard
is still looked up to in Massachusetts as one Of
the leading chiefs Of these same coalitions, it
was not to be expected that he should 'per-
ceive" their existence until some political CAPT
tai could be made out Of the perception.
1a
the material point. Nay more, with selfsacri-
fciDg candor he condemns them in language
which is not the less forcible for being slightly
at variance with the prccepts Of Lindley Muir
ray. lie tells US that the Massachusetts demo
crats-(and modesty alone-we know how mo-
dest Caleb prevents his alluding to himself
by name)-haye done worse than to commit
fatal error" We do trust that no captious pu-
rist will allow his attention to be diverted from
the sentiment expressed in this phrase by en-
deavoriDg to render it into English. He
assures US that the supporters OF the free
soil candidates in Massachusetts,, (whose pro nj
nent leader he was,) "have abandoned princi-
pie which is fundamental meaning thereby
fundamental principle of the constitution, and
one hostile in the highest degree to the deter
mined policy Of the administration" Caleb
intended to say that the administration would
pursue a policy opposed to the views Of these
free sellers. He does Mt express himself hap
pily-but this is no matter. He adds that " the
President is up to the occasion''-that " he will
set bis face like flint" &c.-and winds up with
denunciation of "right-handed backslidings''
and left-handed defections.' Our readers
will make what they can of these extraordinary
observations. If they can tell us what it is to
be up to an occasion " or il they can form in
their minds eye definite picture of |" face
like flint" or righthanded backsliding,'
they will be more fortunate than we have been.
To pass from the form to the matter of this
extraordinary document. what is its pith and
substance? It's outward aim and object is to
interfere in the local appointments at Massa-
chusetts-a repetition, in fact Of the disgrace
full treatment of Mr. Bronson. against which our
merchants have so loudly and SO unanimously
protested. Have the Cabinet nothing TO do but
this? Were they called to tho highest rank in
the country in order that they might devote
their time to regulating petty clerkships in
custom houses, and experimenting the political
piety of every small Office holder in the States
The inward and spiritual intent of the letter
is to persuade people that the administra-
ton is opposed to abolition and free soil
ism. This was its real drift this is the true
motive of the bold figures and striking express
sions which are placed in the mouth Of the Pre-
sident. The first anomaly that will strike every
one who perceives this fact is this how came
President Pierce's administration, which was
placed in power by SO overwhelming an express
sion of the Union sentiment to be ever accused
or suspected of tree soil or abolition affinities
What in the world reduced them who above