New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-30
Isn't that rather an Irish echo for YOU

Tie n. !. Times has been decided ad
,ocate Of making thorough Work with the reb-
els. and has been especially anxious that, with
regard 10 slaves and Slavery, the Government
should mean something or other and let all the
world know it. Wanted, Policy is the
title OF one of its recent leaders on this sub
iect. arguing that the confusion Of tongues pre-
yailinq among our Military commanders aud the
uncertainty and perplexity Of the public res
MEETING the treatment of I" contrabauds," were
doing serious harm 70 the National cause, and
must be dissipated. What was our surprise
then, on opening Yesterday Tunes, to read an
editorial argument against the adoption by the
Government Of a decided aud uniform policy
respecting tie slaves Of rebels, and commend
ing the old hoppy-so-luchy want Of policy As
the acme Of wisdom and craftsmanship! Says
Inc Times:
"Le us rather esvc As,, B,rd St0fs The uit'i7e Of
policy concerning the couhscaou Of slaves Let the hole
question Icusn far ro.sbe under the control o. local
ale Liquidation where tie State. loyal and under The I'M
mediate eoutro Of me military era 10 the Iobe states Tbs
,rou lii -sn us .seryttilgw We need aud will quite
/ I
meuasa. prrs which any other path. Tho whole conn
rs can fey aAop, any policy which Kentucky rny iniusu
f,godor m'cpaon nor can tic sosth is 'siin't H.
Tor tLc tenor o. o.l men. the alarming cry Of Abolition"
But how is this waiting for the Border
States % answer for Eastern Virginia, for
South Carolina, and for all those portions OF
the Southern coast at which our fleets are
about to cal DO We want the good VIII of
the slaves OF the thoroughly disloyal States !
DO we prefer 10 have them constantly making
their way to the Union camps, boats and
ships. with intelligence and iresh provisions
or shall We refuse them admittance within our
lines, as Gen. Halcck does Are they TO un-
dcrstand that, if they give their best services
TO the Union cause they shall be- free or do
we prefer to confirm by our silence and our
repulson their masters assertions that we
mean to sell them in Cuba or Texas as " low
priced niggers How can the Nation
afford to await the slow and dubious oracles
OF the Border States on this vital question
But The Times does not rest here. IL has
heard that Secretary Cameron, in his forth
coming Annual Report, will set forth his views
respecting the treatment of the slaves Of reb-
els, aud the reasons whereby he sustains them
and it calls on the President to suppress those
views and reasons Hear it
In our Judgment whatever sacrifice Of personal feeling
might rtque President Lincoln would exercise only bis Just
preTos ave and would render the country essential service
by requiring his Secretaries to contne their reports to the
Legitimate business each Of his Department. Those
ports are for information. They are intended present IN
des the and condition Of the public service and eso
secretary has only the right but Is hi, duty, TO make
such suggestions concerning his Department the
motion Of the public welfare may require. But OF them
called upon discuss the general affairs of the country
to set forth either the policy Of the Administration their
own Ee ona views concerning ths ends aud objects Of the
war H that bsIags he PreIidcnt It is for him to
forth tie policy Of he Administration, and he ought not
permit df policy 70 be o0HHoretcd or oeakeHed in he
Official yepo by the official action Of those who
ciatsd with him In the eondr Of the Government Upon
the great sdng features OF his policy he has perfect night
to insist tina, his Cabinet shall be Hnit"
All this indicates, to our minds, c0nfiI-
sion of ideas with regard to the duties and
sphere of the President and his Cabinet res
pectively. The Secretaries are not merely the
Presidents instruments; they are also his con-
stitutional advisers. The Secretary OF War is
bound to suggest to the President any course
Of action which may seem to him calculated to
nyigorate the prosecution or ensure tho sue
cess of the War for the Union. There his duty
ends: the President may adopt or reject the
suggestion, as to him shall seem best, and from
mis- judgment there is no appeal. But to gag
the Secretaries in their official reports, on the
plea that unity of purpose is essential, is to
debose the Cabinet into bevy Of eunuchs OF
the Palace, without power, without honor, and
without just responsibility, save for their fideli-