The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-16
The Personnel OF the Administration.

From the Times.
We do not think we have had an adminis.ra-
ton of our Government since its foundation
which, as a body, has, had higher ability and
character than the present, or one in which the
country has had greater confidence and pride.
The scope of our governmental affairs is much
greater now than in former times, and the ques.
tions dealt with have been infinitely more diff
cult of solution than any in our previous his
tory; but the heads of our principal departments
have exhibited the highest capacity for their
great work and the most eminent fitness for
their positions. They will bear comparison not
only with any of the illustrious men who figured
in our Government in its earlier or in later days.
but-what is perhaps at present more fitting
compariton-with the statesmen of any of the
Cabinets of the great States of Europe
No one would fear comparison between the
diplomatic capacity of Secretary Seward and
Earl Russell or Drouyn de Lhuys-between the
financial genius of Secretary McCulloch and
Gladstone or Fould, and as tor Secretary Stan
ton, the course of recent European history has
had no opportunity for the display of abilities
such as he has illustrated, while he certainly
would not suffer by being placed alongside Of
any of the War Ministers OF any of the great
European Powers in any OF the great military
epochs. In the other departments, which from
their nature have less prominence than these
duties abilities OF an order rarely excelled in
public functionarles.
The fact is OF the very highest importance to
us as nation. Besides the popular confidence
in the administration OF the various departments
which it generates, it gives the country feel
ing OF conscious strength and digni6ed self
respect, such as ii has not always during the
present generation been able to maintain.
In the nrst position IN our Administration, we
have in President johnson man whose course
under the most difficult circumstanc .s-whal-
ever criticisms may be made as to forms and
details, or whatever may be said by malignants
like Phillips as to motive or obieet-has been
signalzed by profound patriotism, by unim-
peachably integrity, and by COURAGE; and whose
policies have been comprehensive, iar,reaching,
discreet, and conservative, and OF a nature cal
culated to effect the purpose which he has de-
clared 10 be his sole ambition-the perfect
reunion of all the States in fact and in spirit.
While on the one hand President johnson
has approved himself man of most ener-
getic forces, which are constantly demand.
ing expression, he has also recently shown him.
self to be possessed OF the rare power OF con
serving or holding in check his torces-o
patiently permitting events to move on and
develop themselves, where he lacks the power
of interference, or where his hasty interference
wonld retard their progress towards the enc
which he desires coDsummated. This is one o
the last attainments OF manhood, and one OF thu
highest characteristics Of statesmanship; and
with the other great traits Of Johnson's life an(
administration, has established him in the pub
lie confidence to an extent only equalled In tn
case OF his immediate predecessor.
Secretary Stewards name is tower o
national strength, and is held in Oroioun'
respect throughout the world, This certainly i
not because 1t has been his fortune to Obtain
popularity by following popular ideas o
caprices or to secure fame by the achievement
of simple labors. In domestic politics, he stoo
for long years as the recognized public champio
of the unpopular cause OF antislsvery and tn
exponent of an idea which the eye Of faith Nigh
foTesee would inform the "party of the future,
but which had little prospect of obtanin
political power for generations. Since he hu
had the conduct Of our foreign relations b