The national Republican., 1861-03-06
THE GARNET,

40 THE CABINET.
The speculations which are frequently in.
dulged in, 10 respect to the effect Of the cast OF
the Cabinet upon the. course Of public policy,
are predcated upon views which are contrary
to the theory Of the Constitution, contrary to
what has been the general sAct in the history
Of our former Presidents, aud contrary to the
probable presumptions from the character OF
the present incumbent Of the Presidential
Office.
In the first section Of the second article Of
the Constitution, it is declared that
"TAe executive potcer shall be Vested in a
President Of the United States Of America"
1t is elsewhere provided in the Constitution
that the President may "require the opinion, in
writing, of the principal officer in each Of the
executive departments upon any subject 'e.
iating to the duties Of their respective Offices"
which, by an unavoidable implication, excludes
the idea that it was intended that the general
course Of affairs was to be settled by general
consultation of all the heads of depart.
ments. That is an unconstitutional theory, and
would place the executive power, net in the
President elected by the people, but in body
wholly irresponsible to them, and in whose Sc.
lection they have no voice. d.
OF course, from the nature Of the case, the
actual detailed administration Of the executive
power in each department must be left to the
person at the head of it, but it is the President
who ought always to control the general policy
of the executive branch Of the Government,
and who has generally done so in point Of fact.
II Mr.. Lincoln proves an exception to the
rule, it will be contrary to the view of his per.
sonal characteristics which is universal among
those who have known him longest and best.
We have been led to make these observa.
tons, by noticing frequent newspaper state.
ments, that the appointment Of this or that
man to the Cabinet, or the exclusion Of this or
that man from ii, is to be taken as an indica.
tion Of Executive policy upon the great ques.
tions connected with the present crisis in pub
lie affairs. In truth, what that policy is to be,
is declared in Mr.. Lincoln's Inaugural Address,
delivered on Monday from the East front Of the
Capitol, and in language SO precise that the
wayfaring man cannot err therein.
he particular selectlOnS maue VI ShUlue'
officers may and must influence largely the ad
ministration Of the patronage Of appointments
to office, and it is that aspect, not specially in
teresting to the great body Of the nation, which
excites the greatest part Of the interest which
has been felt in the matter.
v The particular point made by the newsmon
gers, has turned upon supposed antagonist
in views Of public policy between Gov. Sewar'
and Gov. Chase. Such an antagonism ma
exist, but it has not been manifested in any o
the public acts Of those statesmen, nor do VI
believe that there is, ct this moment any dif
ference in their views as to the duty Of tn
President. What is certain is, that Mr.. Seward
as q Senator, proposed as proper remedy 70
existing difficulties, the precise measure whic
Gov. Chase had advocated as member Of tn
Peace Congress, viz: the calling of Nations
Convention. And if anybody believes tha
there is the slightest difference in the views Q
Gov. Seward and Gov. Chase, as to the duty {
the President in respect to the enforcement @
the laws, it is belief resting upon facts whic
have wholly escaped our attention.