The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-14
Cabinet Changes.

Rumors are rife Of changes to take place
in the Cabinet Of the President on or about
the first Of January. These rumors place
Secretaries, Seward, Smith, Blair and Bates
on the retired list, while their places, it is
said, will be occupied by Fesscnden OF our
State, Coliax of Indiana, Winter Davis OF
Maryland, and some Western Republican,
These rumored changes also come to us at
the same time that it is said that President
Lincoln is firm in adhering to his proclama-
ton of freedom; and we think this latter
fact gives some color to the idea that changes
will be made in the Cabinet as soon as the
present Secretaries shall have time to make
their annual reports to Congress.
1t is pretty well known, or II not well
known, is generally believed, that the Cab
met is not unn in supporting the manner
in which the President has determined to
conduct the war after the ushering in Of the
new year, and IL there are any members Of
the Presidents cabinet who do not indorse
his future policy of conducting the war, and
thus cannot heartily enter into the work
of dealing such blows to the rebellion as it
righteously and justly deserves, let them be
put aside, and let us have men to act, ms
the constitutional advisers Of the President,
who believe that his course is proper and
right, and who will rally around him in eye-
nv trying situation as friends, and not rs
doubtful supporters, if not enemies, of his
policy.
Universal usage demands that the heads Of
every department Of government should
support its policy in all important measures,
and that this support should be based upon
belief in the correctness Of that policy
The emancipation proclamation is case in
point; the friends Of that proclamation
should be represented in the high constitu-
tional council OF the nation. Those who do
not yield it hearty support, aud who will
not therefore give their talents to Its bcncf.
cial execution, have no business ut the head
of any department of the government, and
il not removed, ought to have the good sense
to retire.
The same may be said of the generals
commanding the armies Of the Republic
If they do not indorso the measures OF the
Administration, so far forth as it concerns
the rebellion, their commands, TOO, should
be taken from them, and men who will CO.
operate in the field as friends of the civil
authority-not as envious rivals-should be
selected to lead on the Union armies to RIcn-
noSD, VIcroRY, and the END Of the REBEL
LION. Let the friends of the policy of the
President execute his commands. Let them
DO placed at the head OF affairs in tho Cab
met, in the field, and in every other official
station, wherever official station has to deal
with with rebellion, whether they are Wings
or Republicans, Democrats or Aboltionists,
or members Of the Peoples Party" in
Massachusetts,, the leaders of which, tor
mented with equity limbs, and tormenting
the public with equity politics, now that the
election frosts have so blighted their green
and unseemly ambition, are, warmly wrapt
up in self.wrought mantles Of virtue and pat
riotism, settled back in easy chairs, where
their nurses keep them quiet by threatening
to summon in that old black bugaboo, Adolf
ton, to put them in bag and carry them
of, and deliver them to the tender mercies Of
John A. Andrew and Charles Sumner!
We suppose that il Mr.. Fessenden enters
the Cabinet, it will be as Secretary of State
It seems to us that would be the proper place
for him. And we hope, whenever a change
is made in the War Department, that Major
Gen. Banks will be selected to gil tho place
now occupied by Mr.. Stanton. Gen. Banks
is we'll known to DO ono Of the FIRST states
men of the nation, and he has proved that
his great administrative and executive abil.
titles are adapted to military affairs. He is
at once statesman and military man, and
his administration Of the War Department
could not be otherwise than acceptable to the
loyal portion of the nation.
Whatever changes may DO made, whether
in the civil or military branches of the Gov.
eminent, it is certainly to bo hoped that men
who represent the principles for which we
are contending will be selected to gil all va
cant places-and that all places otherwise
filed will be made vacant, to be thus filled.
Give us representative men-men who be.
lieve that the rebellion is wicked, causeless
and criminal in the extreme, and ought to
DO dealt with accordingly.
SERGEANT AMBLER.-Ever since the break.
ing out of the rebellion, Sergeant Amber
has been active in his efforts to do all in his