New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-02


may be safely intrusted with the knowledge o The
general course Of policy which the President and hs
Cabinet may deem it expedient to adopt At all events
am sure that no such pretension TO extraordinary
sagacity will be admitted o reason for subsevrs.
mean concealed action by the Administatiou. r
have often since the 4h Of March brought before nv
mind what would have been done by Mr.. clayghe
were now living and had control Of our national sEiu
Can be doubted that be would in the very nssyou
of his executive power, have sppealed TO whatsoever
there is Of noble and patriotic feeling both at the North
and South for reconciliation of aenated feeling n
the different sections Of the country; or If that should
not be available TO bring back those who have ahred
the old nationality, then to secure amicable relations
with them for the mutual advantage d both sections.
Can there be doubt that such an appeal - We
might suppose would have emanated from his exalisd
patriotism would have reached the heartof the coan
and If II should not have brought back our Southern
brethren would at least have indicted fatszsal rsla
ton for the mutual advantage of the two sections Of
country in place of the beligerent spirit which now
actuates at least the Southern portion. t.,y fsg'.
Let this hypothcal test be now appliedto tho eoarse
pursued by the present Administration. What appeal
has been made TO the pride and the honor Of the Ae-
can people North or South The inaugural address OF
President Lincoln can at most only be regarded - th
expression of bis individual opinions formed without
official information-but of course to be understood -
snbiect to the advice which he should receive from
cabinet constituted of able and experienced men.
Although aided as far as / had the power In the
election of Mr. Lincoln, not 80 far partisan a. 10
give indiscrimnate support to his Administration with
out regard 10 its consistency. On the contrary claim
the right of independent judgment upon bis scts and h
this have no doubt tina. large proportion u the
Northern people will concur with me. Ir
II the question is now asked, what 10 the policy OF
the Administration what answer can be madsf
know Of nothing except what is TO be inferred from 10
entire omission to do anything announce anything
intended to be done. Our forts remain unreSuforosd
the frontier of Texas is left undefended and the United
States forces which were stationed there are 70 b
brought home The lie not collected at any %
the ports of the Seeding States, and reclamaticn
10 made of the fund, property seized by the Seceds
Il is fair conclusion that all this betokens srca
bic arrangement to be made with the Secedes, and
will not undertake to say that it may no. be expedsn
What do maintain is that there is occasion for any
mystery or disguise believe that the whole country
is prepared for the adoption of open honest and pa
tiotic policy and would readily adopt any sound rec
cons for pacific course. But It viii be found utterly
people Of the North to take for granted that all tho
wisdom Of the country has been vested in the membeso
Of the new Cabinet ID Er .Is -ra.l.I..
+ significant circumstance may be noticed, that while
the grea. question which Is sgating the country hat
been so deliberately considered that nothing whatsoever
has been determined respecting K, there has been .
surprring activity in respect to appointments 70 ONCE
1t is not my purpose pass any Judgment upon those
ou,b 20 nntl pphl Ia NJ
tenton to that thus far the President and his Cabnet
seem to have been wholly engrOssed with them.
Perhaps I err In surprising the contest which has
been going on at Washington between certain political
leaders FOR the preerment Of their respective sdhssnts
and the dsproporionate time given by the Admins.
raton 10 their claims was indecorous in the present.
state of public affairs. -l.1s.l4 t--l
cannot help thinking, however, that at THE alarm
ing crisis chen spsy day has been pregnant nth ts-
portaat eonse9uenoes-chen rhole political fabric
has been rocking 10 lis pery the hope
the country h.s been concentrated upon those who
have been called to the charge Of public sairs-thsre
was about much congruity in this controversy for
political patronage, there in the performance o
Nero on the roof Of his palace while the city ws IL
flames. 30. " l. '
Lest should be thought dsingenuous, ] win hsrs
concede that of tho appointments were Of press-
ing importance-among them was that Of Msrshal Of
the Southern District of New-York, which, however,
was but recently made. We needed also proper rep<
reseniation in some Of the courts Of Europe and t
Mexico. 1t may be doubted however, whether e wsf
necessary 10 superede the entire diplomatic corps n
foreign countries before attending 10 the sgstsd
dton Of thngs in our own country. May II not also
be inferred that the benefit of tho country wss hardly
the sole consideration when appoisfness made
of Msisers sctk their Secretaries, seifAsv
Of waom haze knowledge efsls language Of tie eoss'
try to phom they are seatf r...-
Formerly, there was a modesty in this particular,
which was worthy of imitation and regret to see any
countenance given to the new practice by the example
Of important members Of the Cabinet.
Passing from this general view Of the aspect of ous
affairs shall proceed 10 considerations besrins
upon our public policy, which may be found Of some
weight.
What tho intention Of the President and bis advisea
may be do not undertake 10 prognoscae, as nothing
has transpred except the fact that the Southern Com
missioners las reported came out from q private
audience with the Secretary of State in highly exuts
ing state.
1t may Re reasonably supposed that the Secretary
could with prop6ety give to the public his views,
which seem to be satisfactory TO these Commission
ers OF one thing am certain, that the intelligence
and restless activity Of people cannot DO dealt With
in the mcdpGha IL usual with the Ministry Of England
or France.
In country where men often raised from humble
positions to the highest Offices Of the government
would be too much TO expect that the entire community
IA IN ,nbmt bindy 10 any course of policy involving