The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-15

troll Of the people over tho policy Of. the
Government consists in refusing, by
their Commons, the grant to the sove-
reign of supplies necessary for carrying
on the government. % =,
In the Confederacy, the people choose
the President Is well as the Congress,
and by giving him a term Of six years,
and making tho tenure Of Office of the
Cabinet "his pleasure" have debarred
themselves from the power of enforcing
any change of administrative policy du-
ring that term. It is known that this
heightened term Of six years, without
re-eligibility, was conferred by our Con-
stitution on the Executive for the ex-
press purpose Of imparting stability to
government and Of withdrawing all mo-
tive for counting popular favor at the ex-
pense Of. duty.
In Great Britain, the ministry are mens-
Jers Of the Legislative department, origi-
nate lans, guae administration, exercise
the appointing poecer to all Offices (the
sovereign's power being to practice
purely nominaD, are appraised In adramce
Of the grounds Of q proposed cote Of
acont Of confidence, and haze the poocer
ontlmeans Of defending themselres.
In the Confederacy, the exact reverse
of all this is the case, and the heads of
departments arc not even admitted to
the right of debate on the subjects ap~
pertaining to their departments, as con-
templated by the Constitution.
In Great Britain, even after vote of
censure. the ministry may dissolve Par
liamcnt and appeal to the country,
which has not unfrequently reversed the
vote.
The Commons are thus restrained
from actious or unfounded charges by
the responsibility of making them at the
peril Of being discountenanccd by the
people, and thus losing their own seats.
In the Confederacy, the exact reverse
of all this is again the case, and a vote
of want of confidence would be free from
all salutarY restraint or responsibility.
1t is needless to continue this cxposi-
ton. 1t is too clear for doubt that the
legislative and executive departments,
deriving equally their existence from the
votes of the people, it would be quite as
proper for the executive department to
express want of confidence in the legis-
lativc department as for the latter to ex-
press distrust of the former.
In stating these views, nothing is fur
Their from my intention than to deny to
enlightened public opinion, when de.
liberatcly formed after knowledge Of
facts, its just and legitimate influence
Such public opinion is almost invariably
correct, and can rarely be disrcgardcd
without injury to the public veal.
My purpose is simply to deny that
the declaration Of State delegation, or
even vote of one or both Houses, is
entitled to be considered as the authentic
expression of such opinion, or as requir-
ing concession from coordinate depart
ment Of the Government.
have been led into this depression by
the peculiar circumstances which have
given rise to your resignation. They
are without precedent. | cannot, how
ever, refuse to relieve you from du-
ties which the action of your State dele
CATION has rendered distaste(ul to you.
That you have devoted yourself with
entire singlcncss Of. purpose to the pub
lie welfare; that your labors have been
inccssant, your services important, and
your counscls very valuable to myself
and to your colleagues, would be as
readily attcstcd by them as by myself
The regret that our official relations now
end is relieved by the reflection that you
will be near me, and by the assurance
that l can ever call on you with conf
dencc for any aid that you can render in
private life. Our personal relations, so
pleasant during our Official intercourse,
will not, trust, be interrupted and
you carry with you in your retirement
my warlnest wishes for your health an
prosperity
With cordial esteem, your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS. Il
Hon. j. Il. Seldom. Secretary of War.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICAN
WAR DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, Va, February 4, 1865.
His EIcelleney Jefferson Daris, Prcsi: