Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-24

paper, under dale 0f December ~. lt will be
remembered that the writer of 1t is an Admin
istration man, and that il was written to an
Administration journal: l
-.. WARRINGTON, Dec 20.
There is old authority for saying that he who
has put his hand TO the plow and then turns
back shall be damned. We shall be fortunate
ii large number Of our Republican leaders,
and even Cabinet members, be not damned.
There was manifest, imperative necessity
for reorganization Of the Cabinet. The Re-
publican Senators only faithfully interpreted
and repeated the voice Of the people, when they
declared that the elimination of the Govern
ment policy in the recent disaster at Freder.
icksburg, compelled either change of ministry
or change of President. Tho crisis had come
NOT to meet 1t fairly and manfully was politi-
cal, if not national destruction.
The facts were as clear as the MONDAY
The Cabinet was no Cabinet. Instead of being
really Minister'S of the Government, they were
head clerks in the Departments, What in.
luence they had was exerted against each
other, not against the enemy. Such thing as
an honest, earnest Cabinet consultation, between
Mnisters only anxious to give their best efforts
to help each other and their chief to the
elaboration and execution of a sound, strong
policy, that shonld carry the Government safe
ly through the storms by which it was beset,
was unknown. There was no unity of action
or OF purpose, of principle or of desire. Bit
ter quarrels ragged between men who should
have been earnest and cordial CO laborers.
Tie Secretary of War and the Secretary OF
State were hardly on terms of ordinary social
intercourse. The Postmaster General and the
Secretary Of War were equally at variance;
while between scarcely any of them was that
hearty goodwill apparent which the crisis de-
msnded, as prerequisite for cordial co-opera-
tion to common end.
"Take seven cata," said distinguished
Senator, three weeks ago, "put them together
IN bag, sew up its mouth, and shake it up
ioeit--wELL, mind you-and you have the Cab
met! And into such hands were the desti-
nies OF the nation committed at the vital turn.
ing point Of lite history
vi the fruits OF their management the coun-
tcy had Tor eighteen months been reaping. -
Unnecessary disasters and unimproved victo-
ries were the uniform results. Ruin seemed
staring US in the face; but the wonderful ener.
gies OF the people made o last effort, the thin
ned ranks OF the army were filled, and with
fresh strength and renewed hopes, our leRions
were again set moving Southward. Again
the scattering process began, and the diversity
OF counsels WAS seen working out its legiti-
mate results, when horror of needless carnage
came to stop everything.
The popular demand, hitherto smothe cred,
came up in thunder tones. Give us one thing
or give US the other. Choose the Border State
policy, or choose the radical Republican policy;
but Tor heavens sake choose something, and
then give us Ministry that shall honestly en-
deavor to carry 1t out! The Senate but caught
the tret notes OF the coming storm, and hasten.
ed to the President that he might pr eparo fol
what was inevitable,
What Is the result2
MIR. Seward promptly resigns. So much
was gained. The other obnoxious members
must likewise bo got out of the way; then the
President must decide upon his policy; anC
then he must organize his Cabinet upon tha
policy, by calling around him the most intellect
prudence, wisdom and commanding eminence
that he can find fully committed to the ideas
which are henceforth to control his Administra
tlon.
But at the first step all stops. MIR. Sewart
has rendered his resignation. Mr.. Stantol
holds on like o leech to his office. Mr.. Blai
and the rest do the same. Fill Mr. Seward
place any way you will, and you will still hav
war in the Cabinet.
The very men who inaugurated the move
ment seem frightened at what they have done
Weak kneed tremblers crowd around Mr.. Sew
ard and beg him to come back. Some of th,
Senators who had united in the demand for
reorganization of the Cabinet, are heard on th,
streets declaring their hope that the matter ma,
be adjusted! Mr.. Stanton absolutely Begin
work TO induce Mr.. Seward to come back
Even Mr.. Chase's name is coupled with SINH
lar efforts. ls IL not indeed we'll to recall th,
maxim in the old Book about putting the hanS
to the plow and then looking back7
Oh for Men, who comprehend the demand
OF the crisis! Men who could see that patch
ing up the Cabinet and coaxing back the For
eign Minister, and plRstering over the dissen
sione, and vanishing up the whole affair, an
dtitting on in the same blind, Rimless, helI
! less imbecility are not what the people and th
times demsndl Men who could realize tina
only strong, wise, united measures, embodyin
the best wisdom and the highest power of tn
country, can now save the Republic!
What the end will be no man can of cours
predict. Certain members, whose love of ofic
and power, It ia hardly uncharitable to "a,
must be greater than their love of the countr
|, see very clearly that II Mr.. Seward is permit
ted to retire, reorganization Of the Cabin,
Is Indispensable, and they too must 90 out On
take their chances. For some of them thos
chances arc decidedly few,
But Mr.. Stanton does'nt want to resign, an
to avoid it, he ia said TO be laboring with migi
and main to get Seward back. Mr.. Bla
doesn't want to resign, and he, too, is of cours,
eager to see Mr.. Seward back. General fla
leck sees that his place is very likely to b
, swallowed up in the ensuing changes, and b
want, Mr.. Seward back. Meanwhile the Pee
ident has the natural dislike OF ell veal: me
, to undergo the anxiety and responsibility Of
change, and would rather patch up aud shufl
, along, as best he can, with things as they ar
And some Of the Senators, who could see vel
clearly from the retiracy Of their caucus In q
Senate chamber, the absolute necessity {,
unity of purpose in the Cabinet, are etricks
with dimness of vision when they descend ipl
the erena where the struggle for places sgoin
on. - at1' 20 ~. @ -
Under such circumstances, who can tell whs
an hour may bring forth7 The revolution Q
which Iwrote You yesterday may goIon, or
! may be nipped In the bud, and everything re
stored 70 lie original hopelessness. The Sena
!, tors may adhere 10 their demand, or they ma
y be wheedled into still longee waiting for some
1.-The original plan should be carried out, on
can hardly tell what to say Of the new materia