New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-24
TEE CABINET.

THE ga DtNET.
We do not affirm that the <Sbinet should be
entirely recast, nor that A. Il, or should
retire from it, but we only express nearly
every ones conviction when we say that it
might and should be improved and made
stronger than it is 1t includes some of the
abest and best men in the nation, with other
some who are not TO be thus characterized;
and the condition of the country is such that
President Lincoln ought to have the abest and
best seven men in the country for his imme-
date assistants and advisers. Has he those
seven men nowl Were you required to name
the seven strongest and most capable loyal
men in the Union for the conduct of public
affairs would you respond by giving the names
of the seven now composing tho Cabinet :
The question answers itself, and tho answer
affrms the need of change.
Mr.. Caleb Is. Smith has retired or is about
to retire, on a Judgcship, and Mr.. Usher
also from Indaua-s said TO be selected to re-
place him. Now, Mr.. Usher may be one OF
the very ablest men in the Countrywide fact
that we have no knowledge of him does not
prove the contrary-yet it docs argue that the
evidence of bis fitness is not Of very general
notoriety-and, in times like these, public up
probation and confidence are positive elements
of strength. If Mr.. Usher is the best man to
be had for the seventh seat in the Cabinet, 1t
is unfortunate that the country has yet to learn
the fact.
But the current report that his mailing from
Indiana is one of the strong reasons urged III
favor of his selection ought to be authorIta-
lively contradicted. We do not know it to be
true-in the absence of proof, we will trust
that it is not-yet if Webster or Clay had
been found for the post, nobody would ever
have dreamed that the accident Of bis residing
in Massachusetts, or Kentucky had powerfully
contributed toward the choice. And We GER
tainly have seen in some of her Journals allu-
sion to the claims of Indiana, and speculations
on her conserving or not conserving to foregc
those claims. What language for a crisis like
the present The clqimS of certain State to
n seat in the Cabinet, at time when the
Republic trembles on the brink OF ruin
Claims that q certain hundredth part OF
the area of the Nation shall furnish u
seventh of its Cabinet What jargon,
what madness is this We ore among those
who have hoped TO see Joseph Holt called into
the Cabinet; the matter has been widely
though delicntely canyassed: bu. who ever
heard Of the oiqims Of Kentucky as one reason
for choosing lin II be is not the right man
on grounds wholly independent OF this, We
trust he fiji never be appointed. We have
10 personal acquaintance or intercourse with
him; but we greatly mistake the man if he
would consent 70 enter tie Cabinet by virtue
of any claims whatever but those based on his
own fitness for the post ard the pub.ic's know
ledge of aud trust in that fitness. There ccH
be no other valid claims.
We hear with regret that the President Las
sometimes resisted changes because OF his own
personal esteem and kindly regard for the In
cumbeut and his unwillirgness to hrr. said 10
cumbcnl's feelings. This vii! never Do. Il is
the Presidents simple, paramount, iucIoIable
DUTY to put the very best men IN such ex.
ated stations, without the least regard to any
ones feelings. lie has no right to have any
feelings On the subject, nor 10 consider that
others have any. Men OF the CALDER OF Sec
retaries Chase and Seward would Inevitably be
glad Of any good excuse for. quitting tho pub
lie service in q crisis Ike the present.; yet
they must reinain, if needed, no matter how
strong mey be their wish TO retire. And their
feelings are just as much TO be regarded in
the premises az those OF men Of moderate
capacity who, amazed at their dizzy elevation,
naturally seek 10 maintain it so long as that
may be possible.
The Government must be sustained at ell
hazards; the loyalty Of the country must rally
unninchingly around the President; but it looks
to him to reward its sacrifices and insure
triumph to is exertiOns By resOlutey discard
ing from civil as well as military positions Of
great responsibility all "augers that won't
bore"