Ellsworth American., 1864-12-09
Cabinet Changes.

There seems to be temporary (1ull =
the newspaper speculation about changes
in the Cabinet Ten days ago IL was q.
nounced, with the utmost positiveness, ,thaa
Mr.. Stanton was at oncs to give plsce 70
Gen. Butler, Mr.. Fessenden to r. ].
Walker, and Mr.. Es~ard 10 G. +. AdsDss
Not single one of these changes had
been proposed or even talked about by
the President, or by any Of the parties
concerned but this made not the slight.
est difference. The outside public knew
all about il, and the newspapers told Ail
about it--with just as much confidence
and assurance as if it had all been true.
These three changes are probably the
only three which are not in the least like
ly to occur. Mr.. Stahtoh's health has
been very seriously impaired by. the e.
gan.ic labors Of his experimentation
which probably no other man in the
country could have performed without
having been utterly crushed months ago.
Possibly this fact may render it necessary
for him to seek temporary or comparative
repose but nothing else, in our judgment
will vaeate his department.. His rsrs
talent, his unrivalled executive ability,
his familiarity with the enormous snd
complicated business of the War Depart.
ment, and his sipgelhearted devotion 70
the Government and the country, have
made him indispensable 10 that position,
and neither the President nor country
would willingly assent to his leaving it.
Mr.. Fessenden. though new to the
Treasury Department, and, indeed, to
executive business Of any kind, has 40
much ability, and has SO fully met the ex.
pcctations of the public in his present po-
sition, that his retention of it is univer-
sally desired. His preference for .
parliamentary field Is we'll known and if
the Legislature Of Maine should fe.eleet
him to the Senate, he would probably
gladly return to it, As debator.he hss
had few superors, aud has no equal In
Congress, and it = quite natural that he
should prefer field already familiar V
him. and where his high hehors have beea
woH. Eut it is understood that Vice.
President Hamlin is also candidate for
that position and it is no. at all unlikely
that recognition of his general claims
and qualification, as well as the graceful
and patriotic manner in which he accepted
the adverse decision Of the Baltimore
Convention, may prompt the people Of
Maine to bcstow it upon him. In that
event we have no doubt Mr.. Fcsssnden
will continue to be the Secretary of the
Treasury. And that Mr.. Seward will
retain the State Department, usleas for
personal reasons he chooses to leave it,
we presume is matter of course.
That changes may occur in other Cabi.
net posts is more than likely. Attorney
Gen'l Bates has already signifed his in.
tention to retire, and VIC presume his
example will soon be followed BY the
Secretary of the Navy. The vacant
Chicf-J usticeship, will probably be 6lled
from western State, and this may lead
to the resignation of the Sec'y Of We In.
terror. 1t Sec'y Welles should retire, ws
are confident the country would rejoice 70
see his Office filled by some one Of the
naval heroes wEo have, by practical ser
vice, reflected 20 much honor on the
American flag:
The result of the election has made
President Lincoln so completely master
of the situation. and at the same time 70
thoroughly responsible for the conduct Of
public affairs, that he is not only able,bu
bound alike by duty and by interest. to
put aside all attempts at the distatioa Of
cliques or of factions, and to act cxslu.
sivcly upon his own convictions Of the
public good.-N. y. Times.