New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-27
SECRETARY STANTON.

4 The telegraph yesterday brought US :. + statsa
i news which is most agreeable 4 uue =. az inf;
.bat Mr. Edwin nj. Stanton has sNsa W. ~
4 at;oy az his intention to resign " tos
sasrstarv Of war in the Federal eap,ne.
4 ;ssuad speeial order, requiring ~ f pp ~,
,aad lii signature to be brought pe1'se n''N 81
onoe the inference from which = 'uas Nc - pa''
oaes n. hopse in order preparatory to his reiin-
ans ~ ~ an office which he has long held
IA wishes of perhaps three-fourths of the
,snple of the United States.
d MANY years ago, MIR. Jefferson said of office
holders, that few die and none. resign, and the
remark is as true to-day as it was then. The
tenacty with which offiee-holders cling to their
positions, in the face of public opinion is only
equaled by the proverbial longevity OF pensioners
1t is seldom that government pensloner dies
under the age Of four score, and Mr.. stanton
would doubtless, like to protract his life, both
official and natural, to the same octogenarian age
There are cases, however, in which even the last
excuse for holding on to public office may be
taken away \; and if Mr.. Stanton recognizes in HIM
self an illustration of such case, perhaps the only
cause of regret with the public will be the dilatory
| movement of mind by which he reached the con-
| clusion. t'
| When Gen. Harrison died. his Cabinet with the
exception of Mr. Webster, rendered their reslgna-
tions. When Gen. Taylor died, the cabinet
resigned. As well from precedent and usage, as
| from natural delicacy which would leave 10
new President a chance to surround himself with
Secretaries of his choice, it has been consid-
| cred proper that Cabinet should be recognized
4 upon every change Of the Executive. Mr. LIN
coins was an exceptional case, however, and 1t Is
Il e u al.
4 fair to presume that his Cabinet remained with
j President johnson at his own request But 1t IS
to be supposed after the first shock OF the assas-
sina,ion was over, that no member OF the Cabinet
Il Ronld consent to retain his position unless con-
vineed that he was the first choice of the Presi-
dent for the office he was holding If Mr.. Stanton
was satisfied, as to himself that he was the Pres
/ dents first choice at that time, he was perhaps
right Id holding on to his office-for as member
i Of the Cabinet is not responsible tothe people
but to the President only, he can afford, more
| than any other oficeholder, to look down upon
popular dissatisfaction, and brave the impatient
1 opposition of the public.
But President johnson, since he has been SC
sorely beset BY the radicals of the North-since
war has been formally declared against him-snce
Stevens has limited at beheading, and Wade has
clustered of treason, and Phillips has spoken o
| getting rid Of him BY volence-has announced tina
henceforth the offices of the country are for those
and those only, who are in harmony with his prin
cjples and prepared to sustain his policy. He ha
I declared that those who at the North, seek t.
break up the Union by opposing the restoration
ofthe Southern States. are srebels'' and violator
az the Constitution. AS one of the radical family
Mr. Stanton must necessarily consider himsel
included in this dennncaton ; and even his thicl
| epiderms cannot be impervious to such shaft
Perhaps more delicate intimation would hay
suieed for one of finer sensibilities than Mr. Stan
ton but if he could be reached in no other way tn
1 people will excuse the bluntness of the hint ii
consideration of the inexpressible relief which tn
event which it seems likely to bring about vii
afford.
\ From the circumstance that Mr.. Stanton serve
i equally in the cabinets of Presidents Buchanan
/ Lincoln and johnson, it might be Inferred that h
A had certain convenient facility Of conscienc
4 that would serve to keep him always in office
4 where no other condition was required than tn
remuneration of one set of principles and the az
ceptance of another. But there is one thing abor
Mr.. Stanton which not even the charms of plac
can take from hnl-his apparent hatred of h
fellow man. and his fondness for nicting distres
upon every one upon whom he can lay his hand
t If he is not allowed to persecute "C0pperheads,
the sweets of office are no longer palatable
] Ibis taste. If he cannot join hands with Sumne
II and Stevens in excluding the South from the bene
fits of the government while imposing upon us it
i burdens he no longer desires to retain the nsign
/ of office how great soever the charms, otherwise
of power and position. If he shall carry with hin
/ to the seclusion from which it is very unlikely HI
will ever emerge the consciousness that no states
man ever left office amid more unanimous plaudit
of the people, he may perhaps be consoled witt
the reflection that he has during his administration
caused many weary heart to beat in anguish
within the walls of prison, and only gave up thu
qualification of his revenge when political neces
sity compelled him to retire from the service of
President who is fortunately not actuated by TIL
i same motives. 97s<