Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-03

The Washington couepoodsnpof the New
York papers, observe Q, laysa neg story each
DAY about the cahinet--now assrrting that Gen
ersl Butter Il 10 take Mr.. Stsnton . place. anon
that he is to be made attorney general, next that
Mr.. Seward hss asked leave TO retire, then that
Mr. Harlan remains in the senate, and that Mr.
Seward does not intend resigning. All this is,
Of course. very perPlexing, to regular readers OF
all the leading dsilies, and stimulates curiosity
even IL il does no, satisfy desire. Dir. Stanton
has. IL il true, communicated through General
Dix 10 The couasry the factthat President ) ohm
son, Oh his Induction 20 Office, ex pressIy request
ed the present members Of the cabinet 10 retain
their respective places bot yet everybody ia city
and country s asking If there will be any change
IN the cabinet, and il 90. how soon, and what II
will be.
Within twelve hours after the death OF Mr.
Lincoln, certain a. friends of Mr.. johnson, TO
the number Of about twenty. met in an upper
chamber IN Washington for the purpose OF recon
structng the cabinet That there was wine aud
good cheer around the board need not be said
for these are always present az political meetings
In Washington. There were two corner stones
on which the new cabinet. as all agreed, Dust
rest-viz: radcalism and General Butler. What
ever else should be represented in the cabinet,
that opinion or sentiment which. in the interest
Of the negroes, opposed Mr.. Lincolns plan ofre-
construction. must be represented; and. whoever
else went into it, General Butler must have a
place By eigh; o'clock Of that Saturday even
ing, the claims OF rival men were all settled TO
the general satisfaction Of this conclave Of recon
structionists, and word quietly circulated
that there would be change in the cabinet with
In the course Of couple OF months. The new
cabinet was % be constructed as follows: Secre.
tzry Of State, Benz amin F. Butler. Secretary Of
War. Edwin N. Stanton: Secretary of the Navy,
Henry G.. Stebbins OF New York: Secretary Of
the Treasury, Hugh McCull0ch; Secretary OF the
Interior, James Harlan Postmaster General
John Covode; Attorney General, ID X. Carter
Of Ohio, at present judge OF the Supreme Court
Of the District OF Columbia. The programme
also included the appointment oil ex-senator
Wilkinson. OF Minnesota. as Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs. and of Mr. Arnold lately repre-
sentative from Illinois. Solicitor of the Treas
ury.
Brief mention of this handsome scheme was
made in the special Washington cdspathes OF
that Saturday evening to The Advertiser That
il was not fully ventilated during the ensuing
week is due to the fact that the pen of the tele
graphic censor was drawn through every para
graph relating TO cabinet changes that was filed
Tor telegraphDg on Sunday evening, aud that IL
became generally understood among the cores
pondents on Monday that il would be useless TO
attempt the transmission OF anything respecting
the matter just then, govern ment thinking that
the public mind was in such state that no good
could result from agitation of the question Of
changes in the cabinet The restriction was az
parently removed during the week-perhaps BY
Thursday or FTiday-but the solemn funeral OBJ
sequies then ngrossed the attention OF CORES
pondents
The reconstruction shceme grew apsce. Wheth
er any Of the gentlemen whom it was proposed
TO remove from the cabinet or any of the gen
tlemcn whom il was proposed 10 lift into the
cabinet, were consulted in reference to the mat
ter, does not definitely appear. though indica
tons favor such conclusion. Judge Carter and
Mr. Covode were in the CITY. | believe: and on
the Sunday following Mr. Liucon's death
friends OF Gen. Butler remarked very signif
cantly that be had been sent Tor. being then in
New York city. The general made his appear
ance on Monday. sure enough, and INDUCED in
q brief, concise. pointed speech, trfe more
uncompromising even than that made on Satur
day in New York Il was frequently remarked
In quiet way that Mr. Seward had rendered his
resignation, that Mr. Stanton had laid aside bis
supposed hostility to Gen Butler. that president
Johnson had come full understanding. aud
would announce the cabinet in due time-say by
the lst of May.
For nv own part. have no idea that Geu.
Butler will ever get into the cabinet of Presi-
dent Andrew Johnson Mere, have no idea
that any one need have any fear of snch result
surprising any one to think such result would
be a calamity. As for the state department
General Butler himself, il seems to me- can
hardly dream that within his reach. however il
may seem to his ardent friends. Perhaps To
those who doubt or dislike him, the idea that he
should take up the portfolio OF Mr.. Seward will
seem preposterous; but diihdeuce TO his sbili
ties is no part of the faiings OF either General
Butler or his friends; and that an effort was
making last week In Washington to secure il for
him. was common talk in political circles there
as IL was also that the friends Of Governor An
drew were among the most positive and vigor-
Gus OF his opponents. The proposed new cabi-
net had General Butler for its pivot. and talk
respecting the other gentlemen named for it was
merely secondary. How far the pressure in his
favor at his instigation. with his sanction
do not now inquire
Will there. after ALL be any immediate change
In the cabinet, | believe that depends upon the
condition OF Mr.. Seward. Ii is plain that the
overthrow of the armed power OF the rebellion
brings up questions Affecting our foreign rela
tons of such importance tina: their settlement, can
not be intrusted to any mere acting secretary of
state, however able or intelligent We must
have the heart and brain and will and knowledge
and experience OF first class man ia the state
department, and that at no very distant day. +
knop no reason for supposinq that Mr.. Serdrd
triH either resign be displaced he 10 able nth
IN month 10 aefiUe charge Of his business
That he may tender his resignation. in order that
Mr.. johnson can have opportunity for choice. is
probable enough--ss il is probable enough that
the president may already have signihed 10 him
that he desires him 70 permanently remain in the
cabinet.
Whatever doubts may have once possessed the
public mind respecting Mr.. Seward postum with
regard TO the policy Of the administrator, these
later days have proved that his views of expedi.
ency did not then materially differ from those OF
the president. and that his management OF our
foreign affairs was moulded upon the presidents
famous motto: Zone war st time" fate
events have produced kindly feeling toward Mr.
Seward, and President Johnson will doubtless
satisfy the grea, BODY of loyal men in retaining
him IN the cabinet
In the event OF his retirement. who would be
called to the state Department. Not General
Butler, | an very sure. The cabinet was for
months a, time during Dir Lincoln's dresden
cy, scarcely more than name lie often enough
took counsel privately with his ministers but
cabine. meetings for general consultation were
more rare than under any previous president
There viii be change in this respect during Mr.
Johnson's presidency. 7 believe One OF the
conditions precedent To FREQUENT cahinet consul
tations mus, be general unity Of sentiment, in
sgppors of the presidential policy. This fact
xffhous cof-- into details kao, Ccr.ar,I