The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-29

Mr.. Buchanan,s AdministratlOn-Cab
Rumors and speculations.
Rumors and speculations are rapidly multiply
ing in reference to Mr.. Buchanans cabinet.
Among the latest and silliest of these rumors is
the positive announcement in yesterdays Tribune
of the appointment Of General Cass to the State
Department, and his acceptance Of the Office, ere
yet the report that Marcy is to be retained has
travelled the circuit Of our exchanges This re-
port concerning General Cass is simple hum
bug, originating with some one of the foreign
atach(s Of the Tribune Office, not sufficiently con-
versant with our language to repeat simple
conversation in English without turning its facts
upside down. We suspect that this report of the
appointment Of General Cass was thus made up
from misinterpreted conversation with men,
Der of the Generals family now in this city. The
facts are-frst, that General Cass has not been
offered the State Department; secondly, that he
does not expect it; and thirdly, that he does not
want it, and would not have it.
Some Of our democratic friends think that
Gen. Cass, on account Of the crushing defeat of
himself and his party in Michigan, is entitled to
the kindly consideration of Mr.. Buchanan, and
should accordingly be put at the head of the
Cabinet. But if Mr.. Buchanan is to be made the
GOOD Samaritan for splicing the broken bones
and pouring oil into the wounds of the disabled
democratic leaders in the late campaign, his
cabinet and his administration will be reduced to
a hospital If General Cass is thus to be doctor
ed, why not Gen. Richardson of Illinois, Gen.
Wells of New Hampshire, Judge Parker Of New
York, Judge TOucy OF Connecticut, and all
the other democratic candidates for Governor,
Congress, &C., that have been put hors du combat
in the late elections? If defeat by the people
is to be the special democratic claim upon Mr..
Buchanan, then the democracy of the State of
New York may justly claim the lions share of
the spoils, while the Mayor Wood party of this
city will have no claim at all. But all these idle
rumors and speculations concerning the Cabinet
and the division Of the spoils are in advance of
the time, and in the end most Of them will fall
very wide Of the mark.
Mr.. Buchanan will do nothing in reference to
his Cabinet until the Electoral Colleges which are
TO meet on the Sd of December, shall have Off
cially determined his election. Then he will pro-
coed to shape out his policy, and to give the
general policy which he may adopt definite
form Of expression in the selection of his Cabinet
In this view, we expectj that while the compo-
sition of his Cabinet will give no encouragement
to Southern disunionists or Southwestern filibust
ers, it will not be laid upon a foundation Of the
old party fossils or superannuated or broken
down politicians. A living salamander, whose
element is fire, is one thing; flibuster, whose
element is blood and carnage, is another; but
either is quite as acceptable at this day Of
progress and activity as the dry bones of a
megatherium or icthyosaurus of dimly
defined ante-deluvian epoch. There is quite
enough of the saving principle Of mature
age in Mr.. Buchanan himself; and we dare say
that while he does not forget the ancient maxim
of "old men for counsel and young men for ac-
tion," he will be careful to avoid sleepy Cabi
net in the midst Of the important living, stirring
and tremendous issues that will surround him.
With regard to his patronage, he has good
opportunity for abolishing the spoils policy of
Marcy to the victors belong the spoils." Nor
should we be surprised if Mr.. Buchanan were to
turn over new leaf, by leaving such Offices as
Collectors Marshals Postmasters &C. to run out
their full term before deciding upon any new
man to supersede the incumbent. In refer
ence to all the subordinate offices in the
departments at Washington, and in our Custom
Houses and Post Offices, the policy Of Mr. Bu-
chaDan should be-and very likely will be--the
test of capacity, fitness and honesty, and not the
test of party services. But even upon that test
we dare say that the money contributions of the
Office holders in the late campaign we're quite as
serviceable as the labors of most of those pa
triotic expectants who stumped the State.'
In conclusion, while our Southern and South
western ultras must prepare for something better
than disunion, and something more respectable
than filibustcring Cabinet our old fogies must
not expect to rule the roast, nor must our demo-
cratic spoilsmen limit their patriotism to the
new general division be attempted. Captain
Tyler tried the experiment Of organizing a new
party upon the basis Of the spoils and he failed;
Captain Pierce tried the experiment Of recon
structing the democratic party upon the same
basis, and be has most signally failed Mr. Blu
chanan must depend upon the principles and the
measures Of his administration, and the proper
agents to carry them out, without regard TO
spoilsmen, party cliques or sections, or factions.
Plenty Of time yet for his Cabinet.
Mn. Sims OF South CAROLINA, AND THE LIE 4
TrRE HuNBuG.-Mr. W. Gilmore Simms, Z
South Carolina, who recently read lecture d
this city to n select audience OF one hundred has