New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-22
CHANGE or CABINET.

Our letter from Washington, which would,
but for the censorship, have reached us by
telegraph on Saturday, gives the details, from
Trustworthy authority, of the steps which led
to the proposed change Of Mr.. Lincoln's Cabi-
net. That facts of such Importance and Of
SO much general interest should be withheld
from the public, when they wero neces.
sarily known to many persons, could be
sent over the wires in 'cypher and used for
private purposes, is not creditablo to Govern.
ment management. An event of this character
must necessarily create much excitement; to
leave the public prey to idle rumor is to add
mistrust to excitement, and shows o want Of
confidence in the good sense and courage of
tie people which they do not deAerve.
This Increment, it seems originated, as it
was proper it should if made at oil, with
members OF tie Senate. They first proposed the
removal of the Secret ry of State, but took,
after discussion, wider basis, as more in ac-
cordance with tie Judgment of tho whole body
of Republican Senator's, Proposing partial
Of the whole Cabinet. This latter
form of the proposition VIII probably be generally
considered as the wiser. There is no member
OF the Cabinet who ha, not frends. Everybody
sees, or thinks lie Sees in this or that Secre-
tary moral or intellectual unftntsa for the
duties of lis Office, while, at the SINE time,
he is quito sure that in his OVID particular IA
yorite are combined all the qualities requisite
for perfect efficiency and zeal but if the via he's
Of the country are t. DO consulted at all, ID ia
quite certain that with these various Opln o.
and feelings 1t would be impossible to constr nat
q Cabinet that would command tse public con-.
idencs from majority of ito present members.
Nor is it easy TO understand lOw, under thsI
circumstances, any member can consent tel
remain. The wiser course, therefore, would
seem to be that the President shoald call new
men altogether to his side to aid him by their
counsels. Suck course has the merit at least
Of being strictly impartial, and by adopting it
be may possibly avoid one element Of opposition.
That the present Cabinet is not Il Unit as to
The course the Government should pursue Ia
rot now, if il ever has been, o secret. The
President has had experience enougl. of it to
Know hIdL nave Dctl tts inNitH VI oHiiA'A'A
bad commission. 1. ia in bis power 20 guard
against the probable recurrence Of these in the
characters OF the men whom he may now mp
poin. as his constitutional advisers. There is I
no want Of material. The nation does not
want for wise men who may De intrusted with |
is guidance even 10 times as perilous as these
Who they are it is not our part to dictate.
Whoever lasy receive filese appointments the
Government will have in tie future, a. it has
IN the past, our cheerful and unwayeriDg sup. |
port. We hope ard believe that Nr. Lincoln |
will choose wisely difficult as We know thu!
choice to be, amid oil the conflicting claims,
and in tho necessity of creating Cabinet Of
entire homogeneity and harmony, anl Of The
requisite ability for the different Offices to be
filed. That the war Las not been conducted
IN accordance with tho popular wish aud judg-
ment b. the present Administration is certain.
The country demands that If a new departure
be made, pas. mistakes shall be avoided. III
We are TO have pew men, let us have the
right men in the right places. The change
seems now too imminent TO be avoided. Hay
iug gone so far, it is better now not to-
recele from it, and the sooner it Is OYER, the
sooner the country will be restored TO tranquility
and its confidence renewed.