New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-27


that circumstance could not fail to exercise al
untoyard influences and when to this was
added the notorious fact thai, within the
knowledge of the President, personal jealousies
disturbed the official relations of certain MEM
bars of this advisory body, it cannot be
matter of surprise that his disposition 70
disregard advice was, in all matters requiring
Cabinet counsel INDUCED with frequency
chat soon rendered the practice habitual. This
has been a serious evil. The President may
have mistaken this disposition or habit for in-
dependence, decision, or force of character,
and even genius. But it has been, on the con.
trary, q great fault one, we believe, more
fruitful of misfortune than any other weakness,
individual or collective, to be found among tho
members of tho Government; and ii is especially
noticeable, as Distinguishing this peculiarly
from the boldness or willfulness that, properly
or improperly, has been termed Z" Jacksonan,'
mainly exercised, not in the daring execution
of bold and vigorous schemes or measures, but
in undOing. restraining and persistently hold
ing back from the execution of what was bold
and decisive.
There is nothing in the whole aspect
of our public affairs so discouraging as
this unusual condition Of things at the head Of
the Government. The People, while it cOntin-
ues. are deprived of what they have right to
expect, the exercise of the combined wisdom
of number of eminent men in the extraor-
binary and trying emergencies to which tho
stupendous Rebellion that is now upon us gives
rise. The energies, too, Of any spirited NELL
Der of the Cabinet must be chilled BY sense
of the official humiliation which this treatment
with however muth Of personal kindness il
may be accompanied) cannot fail to inspire;
aud it may lead also, some men of inferior
nature of there should be such in the Cabnet),
intent upon carrying particular policy to
resort to intrigue aud unworthy practices upon
the mind OF the Chief Magistrate to accomplish
their purposes. In every aspect in which this
attempt to carry on the Executive department
of the Government upon Presidential response
bllity alone can be viewed, it must be regarded
as fraught with innumerable mischefs. man
I.-might succeed Tor a time upon this auto
cratic principle; but with men Of lesser power,
it must inevitably and continually involve them
in Notifying failures.
In lSi9, not long after Zachary Taylor be-
came President. upon an occasion requiring
some prompt action, he took the responsibility,
aud acted without consulting his Cabinet. II
was q step of some political Importance. In
mediately upon assembling his Cabinet, they
said to him, in body: "Mr. President, this
is not right. We are supposed by the People
to be consulted by you, and to concur with
you in all important measures. As We share
with you the responsibility attending them, we
ought to have voice with you in their adop-
ton or rejection. Our places are always at
your disposal; but, while We are here, this
slight ought not TO be repeated" Gentle
men, >" replied the frank old General, 81 regret
very much what has passed 1 WAS hurried,
and acted without due reflection; but it shall
not occur again" Immediately the most cor
dial understanding was reestablished between
the General aud bis advisers. This incident
illustrates the true principle that should govern
the relations Of the President and his Cabinet.
No one believes that it is now exemplifed ut
Washington.
In the Senate aud in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes there is the same want OF unity, the
iac az fra inf, 1atlt
sultation. Almost every Senator and Member has
some special idea or measure that absorbs him.
Except upon the aosr Of their respective
Chambers or Committee rooms, while discussing
particular subject, they rarely confer or take
counsel together for the general safety; and
they rarely know each other with any thorough.
ness AS general rule, the Senators know
little Of each other, and still less of the Repre-
sentatiyes; and Of the Representatives nothing
more satisfactory can be said. And with too
many members of both Houses Git is no iDjus
tice to say the President and Cabinet have
but little of that frank and truthful Interchange
of thought which the time requires-nothing
beyond the cOmmOnplaces Of al interview on
some local matter, or on behalf Of some per-
sOnal interest Of constituent. We are speak
ing of the friends Of the country and the Union;
and this is not as it should be. 1t is not what
our bleeding, almost dying, country calls for.
II is not what the brave soldiers in the wintry
field, unsheltered and enduring unnumbered
suferings for that cOuntry's sake, have n right
to demand. 1t is not what the heart
stricken but heroic mothers, who have
given up the young, the noble, and