Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-16
rae EvsnInH Leader,


Tne change IN the Seoretaryship OF the
War Department is still the main subject
discussed throughout the country. The sud-
dsnnesB Of the move, in these days Of rumora
ande0unter rumorS, has surprised everybody.
The New York Times sAys that while every
one in Washington was astounded 81 the
sudden change, none wAs more 80 than Mr..
Cameron himself The President decided
upon the change on Thursday last and on
Sunday sent a note to the Secretary inform
ing him Of bis decision. To show bis con-
tinasd confidence, he rendered him the post
Of Minister 10 Russis, very important and
desirable positon. 0Assius n. Clay comes
home, Il Is said, to fill the vacant Major
9eneralsbip IN the army. It has been re-
ported that the Secretary and The President
have differed somewhat as to The mode Of
dealing with the slavery question as connect
Cd with The rebellion. Mr.. Cameron has BE-
hsved slavery 70 be the cause of the waz,
and that this cause should be removed q.
once and forever. BE has been Inclined to
Urgea a vigorous prosecution Of tss wAJ and
IN this, has probably oonsisted in some de-
gree with Gen. Mcclellan. whose apparent
sarainess gaiieS upon the energetic nature of
ne seers'.ry. The resolution Of the House
o -prsssntatiyes calling for an inquiry
snto the cruel disaster Of Bale Bluff was
favored BY Mr. Cameron and opposed By Gen.
Mcclellan. The former wished to Yindicate
TIE dead Baker; the latter tried to exculpste
sen. Stone from the blame Of the defeat and
slaughter. With these differences of opin-
ion, 1t Is not strange that a change should
be desired and effected.
Elwin NJ Stanton, the successor Of Mr.,
Cameron, is an old school Democrat. BE
was bern in ste1benville, Ohio, graduated
ct kenyon College, praoticed law st Steu-
bsnTIlle, snd speedily rose to a high position
ct the bar Of the State. In ls4s be remOv'
cd to Pittsburgh, where he remained come
years. About four years ago he represented
tas Government in sn important case in
California, and shortly after settled in Wash
ington. In the last year Of Buchansn's Ad'
1ainistrAtion, be was invited to take the At
torney Generalship in the place Of Black
Nr Holt having about the same time beer
appointed sscrstaFy of War in place Of thr
traitor Floyd. The two lsbOred earnestly an'
faithfully for the Union during the four re
msinlnq months of the Administration. Mr.
Stanton ives not in position to accomplish a
much has Mr.. Holt but be doubtless did wha
he could.
sincs the war fairly broke out, Mr., Stan
ton has not been sufficiently before the pub
lio for them to know just what bis pOsitio
is upon the conduct Of the war. It is to b
presumed that while be is in favor Of Wig
orous war, he viii not coincide entirely wit
the bold position taken by Mr. Cameron rG
garding the 'cOntraband" question. "
cannot however, judge beforehand Of b
views. If Congress passes Mr.. Blair's cor
sscaiiOn and emancipation act the new Sc,
rstary viii doubtless give bis strength an
ability to its faithful Observance.
The telegraph reports Washington rumOl
OF further changes il the Cabinet, stain
that Secretary Smith and Postmaster Gener
Blair are likely to go out. These, hoveVe
are to be taken as mere rumOrs, not yet T
liable or even probable, TT-TTEt