Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-03-26
The Cahinet.

We own that our impression Of the new
Cabinet is not the most favorable, whether we
Judge OF its members according to their iutrin-
sic fitness for the responsible positions to which
they are called, or compare them with some OF
the heads Of departments who have just retired
from Office. Those who occupy the higher
places in the Cabinet are not only loaded
with duties as onerous, and entrusted with
responsibilities as grave and weighty as can
we'll fail TO the lot of men, but it hes also come
to be their special province to act as the con-
fdent advisers Of the chief executive. They
have great influence, therefore, in determining
both the foreign and domestic policy OF the
administration. If the President be nan in
clined to yield to the influences that surround
him, and to bend to counsels Of others, the
Cabinet becomes virtually President, and
sways the whole executive branch OF the gov
ernment. 1t follows that the best qualified,
the soundest and most reliable men should fill
those positions whose very names and
history shall give assurance to the nation that
our public affairs are not under the sway Of
whimsical dotalds in craftsmanship, or rash
sectOnalists. of mols-blind politicians, and un-
scrukulous partlzans.: Brilliancy is not enough.
Mere capacity is not all that is requisite
But Cabinet that is thought to lack these
qualities, and does not assure the nation oil
its fairness, discrs ton, patriotic intent ard
comprehensive nationality, cannot well be hail
ed with much satisfaction by the people al
large. Where sections and localities demand
to be consulted, and rival partizans are to be
kept placarded d, it becomes indeed task Of in
finite difficulty to frame a suitable Cabinet
and this we apprehend to be the secret OF the
present disposition Of the executive depart
ments,
Gen. Cass, who figures in the new arrange
ment as Secretary of State, is a kind Of biso
rical character; on which account, and because
of his more than ordinary talents in certain
directions, and his long and conspicuous career
on the public stage, he is certainly entitled tc
the respectful consideration OF the country
Still we must express our decided doubts o
his stness to the position to which be is nov
called. He is well stricken in years; and BIZ
advanced age must partially incapacitate hin
to cope with the immense and ever accumula
ting business Of his department Nor is thi
all. The whole line Of his antecedents abun
dantly shows to our mind, at least, that
manage the diplomatic affairs Of the govern
ment is not his especial province. Whether
has been to manifest his Jealous patriotism, g
whether It is native to his temper, we kuo'
not. but be has always appeared to us TO max
an ostentatious display of hostile spirit tc
| wards foreign countries, simply because the
we're foreign. and 10 bring the same dispos
ton to the adjustment Of differences betwee
: our own and other nations, Taking this or
? nromiuent characteristic in connection with b
:. vac:llating, and at length ultra course upon lh
e most important subjects of domestic policy b
natural impulsiveness, and at the same tim
rather besitating timidity when prompt ac'io