The New York herald., 1866-07-13

TAs Cabinet Crtsis-Com IA mae noe mcnt OF =
Dissolution.
Close upon the heels Of change Of the Brit
ish Ministry We have . ministerial crisis at
Washington. The very atmosphere in the Old
World and the New seems to be charged with
the elements of change and reconstruction.
Postmaster General Dennison has resigned on
grounds Of political differences with the Presi-
dent Attorney General Speed Is reported to
have followed his example, and Secretaries
Stanton and Harlan are expected to follow.
To the independents Randall, Doolittle, and
Dixon call for Union johnson National Con-
vention In Philadelphia, 1t appears, we are in
debted for this commencement ofa dissolution,
and the story may be briefly told.
Within the last thirty-six hours there have
been some very remarkable and momentous
movements at Washington in the way Of politi-
cal reconstruction. The call for an independ-
ent National johnson Union Convention at
Philadelphia has resulted in an extraordinary
effervescence among the old political elements,
and especially among the radicals of Congress.
AS John Minor Bolts, in the days Of the old
Wing party, declared, in reference to Captain
Tyler, "We will head him or die," 80 has
"old Thad Stevens" issued his edct, and all
his followers say Amenp in regard to the
heading or beheading Of Andrew johnson.
This proposed Philadelphia Convention, as it
appears, has satisfied even Senator Wilson at
last that the President has gone over to the
Copperheads, and 80, without mincing the mat
ter any longer, he is to be headed of, circum-
vented and put down.
To accomplish this object, three combined
movements were undertaken. First, the radi-
cal caucus, which has pronounced against this
proposed Philadelphia Johnson National Union
Convention in August; secondly, counter
convention in Philadelphia, In September, of
Southern radical republicans and, thirdly,
supporting movement among the radical ele-
ments of the Cabinet By the first of these
agencies it is expected the whole rank and file
of the republican organization not personally
bound to the administration will be whipped
into line by the second device this formation
Of an active Southern party in support of Con-
tcipated; and by the last expedient, of o
mutiny In the Cabinet, the radicals doubtless
desire to push Mr.. johnson to the extremity Of
submission to Congress or to the alternative
of Cabinet reorganization while the two
houses are still in session. 80 that the Senate
may at once be able to pass its judgment, yea
or nay, upon the nominations made.
This is bringing the "irrepressible conflict"
to fight at close quarters. What will be the
consequences? We remember that when the
old dominant whig party of Congress
of lS4l were about to issue their edict
of accommodation against President Tyler,
Daniel Webster, his Secretary Of State,
inherited from General Harrison, toucbingly
inquired, in view of this rupture, "Where
am | to co." Mr.. Seward is now in the
same predicament; and like Webster, for a
little while longer, he has probably concluded
10 take his chances with the Administration
Philadelphia Johnson Convention and ALL But
this is tire johnson pill which tho nIninble Post
master General, Dennison, of Ohio, has pcremp-
torily refused 20 swallow, and similar refusal
is expected or reported from Messrs. Stanton,
Harlan and Speed. The other two Cabinet
members, Messrs. McCuloch and Wellcs, it is
thought, will still prefer to go with Mr.. Seward
for the bird in the hand TO all the birds in the
bush, even though put to the test of endorsing
this Johnsonian National Conservative Conven-
ton. But will the President apply this test?
Thaddeus Stevens and the radical caucus have
thrown down the gauntlet, and the President, we
think, must either take ii up surrender at dis
erection. lie must, being driven to the wall, pro-
ceed to bring his Cabinet to the test raised by
his enemies, or he must abandon his Philadel-
pbia Convention, his policy and his party, and
admit his Administration failure.
The Cabinet collapse, at all events, has COM
menced, and reconstruction may be consid-
cred inevitable. We have had the cry Of "wolf
wolf" so often repeated that it has for some
time been utterly disregarded but the wolf
has now really entered the fold, and the black
sheep, it is reasonable to suppose, will all be
sacrificed. We are still in the midst Of the
greatest events Of the nineteenth century, and
neither congresses nor cabinets can stand STILL
They must advance with the spirit Of the age,
or they will be displaced.
ANOTHER RADICAL ArTExrr TO GRASP SUPREME