The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-16

butte no Independent advice, information
or influence to the policy of the Ad-
mlnistration, or that they would long
continue to hold Office either in complete
suosefViency to single mind or III de-
nance OF the general sense Of their coun-
trymen. of course we were aware that
tue President has power to dismiss
them-a power fit to be exercised for the
public welfare in a great crisis-and that
10 MN belongs controlling authority
and the chief honor, as we'll as response
b'llty, OF the Administration. We did not
deSlgn either to abatc the constitutional
authority of the Presidential office or to
take from our country the guiding inhu-
cnce OF President in whom we greatly
con1dc, and whom We have firmly sup
ported.
1t is obvious that the general advice
suggested by this delegation to the Pres-
dent, based on general reason, alleging
no fault and arraigning no individual
mere advice, to be adopted, applied or re-
yected by the Presidcnt-misht have
been substantially accepted without cx-
GLIDING every particular head of de-
partment from new arrangement. We
expected and desired that at least one
exception would be made. 1t would not
have been proper for this delegation to
indicate to the President, when they w.
luntcercd counsel, the details of such
arrangement and, least of all, would it
have been proper for us, as delegation,
to single out a secretary from our own
State for partial action, highly as we es~
tcemed the Virginian then in office and
as much as we desired our State to be
represented in the Cabinet. Miscon-
ceiving the spirit of our proceeding, our
distinguished fellow citizen, Mr.. Seldom,
without general reconstruction of the
Cabinet, resigned the office of Secretary
of War. If VIC have unintentionally
wounded his scnsibilities, we deeply re-
greet that such consequence resulted
from our action or from his construction
of it.
In letter accepting his resignation,
the President declined to approve the
propricty of his decision to resign be-
cause. he adds, " / cannot admit the ex-
istencc of power, or right, in the legisla-
tive department of the Government, or
in any part or branch of it, to control
the continuance in office of those 'prin-
cjpal officers in each of the executive de-
partmcnts' whose choice the Constitution
mas vested in the Chief Magistrate" etc.
lie observes that the circumstances which
gave rise to Mr.. Scddon's resignation arc
without precedent. In conccding a Just
and legitimate influence to enlightened
public opinion, he denies THAT the de-
claration of State delegation, or even
of one or both Houses, is entitled to be
as the authentic expression |
of such opinion, or as requiring conces~
SONS from a coordinate department of
the Government"
The public can now Judge how far the
discussion of such topics was relevant
to our action, and how justly or wisely
the publication of such a correspond
encc, or the spirit which pcrvades it,
to the proceedings and pur~
poses Of this delegation. That the
friendly advice Of delegation, or the
more authentic counsel of Congress,
should be repclled in such a manner,
With such claims, and at such time, is
/ circumstance which we deplore for the
sake of our country, and, let us add, for
he sake of the President. 1t will not
provoke us to resentful controversy
t cannot abate or devotion to the pub
ic cause. 1t does no. alter our princi-
lies of action. But since, by the publ
;ation of this correspondence, members
If the Cabinet have probably with their
onsent been placed before the tribunal
If public opinion at issue with the Vir
inia delegation upon the question
whether they should have remained, or
'ecn retained, in office, notwithstanding
he condition of our country and all the
Indications of public scntim cnt, this
allegation does not rccoil from that is
lie. Let it be decided by the country,
0 which We are responsible, and to which
Ugh executive officers ought to &C
nowledgc their responsibility. What
yer else ensucs, may our country be
avcd. by order of the delegation.
THos S. BoCoCK, Chairman.
February II, 1865.