Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-06-28

10 luGlllldtc VI Suggest WIdt ooOiOey
should be introduced to his family.
Mr.. Van Buren,, who was Secre-
tary of State, escaped all interfer-
ence with the feud; but Mr.. Branch
of North Carolina, Secretary of
the Navy, and Mr. Berrien, the
Attorney General, took an active
part in the controversy, and were
anti-Eatenian.
The affair had now arrived at a
pass that rendered it exceedingly
offensive to all parties; and, as
must be readily perceived, was the
means of introducing disquietude
and discomfort to the Cabinet
councils; for what could be more
awkward than the assembling of
six statesmen, to discuss grave and
important questions of State,
whilst they bore toward each 9th
er, in consequence of their private
relations, the worst possible feel
ing and temper
General ] ackson remained stead
fast, the friend and defender of
Mrs. Eaton and her husband. He
was not to be diverted from his
purpose; and finding at last, that
the feud could not and would not
be reconciled, made up his mind
that he would bring his Cabinet
difficulties to summary conclu-
sion. Without tpausing for further
and unnecessary consideration, he
addressed letter to each of his
Ministers, informing them that it
was indispensable, that his Cabinet
should be Gas an unit" that no ad-
ministration could ever succeed,
that was distracted by discordant
councils and councillors; and, in
effect, if not in substance, deman-
ded that each and all should,
without delay, resign their seals OF
office.
Mr.. Eaton, Secretary yof War, re-
signed at once, and was provided
with the Mission to the Court Of
Madrid; Mr.. Van Buren retired
from the Department of State,
and was sent to the Court of ST..
James; but Mr.. Branch and Mr..
Ingham couldnot exactly see why
it was necessary for them to 60
out of office, because Mr.. Van Bu-
rem, and Mr.. Eaton, and Mr.. Ber-
rien had retired; and both intima-
ted that they would hold their pla-
ces, and continue to serve their
country! Mr.. Ingham was espe-
cially eloquent, and argumentative
on this subject. The Office of Sec
retary of the Treasury was one
that he very much admired; and /,
he deemed himself we'll qualified
for the discharge of its duties; ;
and why could it be necessary for
him to resign, because Mr.. Van
Buren, Major Eaton, and the rest
had furnished him q precedent,
was a problem that passed his COM
prehension. In a word, that usu-
ally very able man, pretty plainly
intimated that he would not re-
sign; when in turn, he was in
stantly informed that his successor
had already been selected!
Mr.. Ingham had now but one
alternative-to resign, or be dis
missed in disgrace; and thereup-
on arose question, foolish enough
in itself, in all conscience-of the
power Of a President to dismiss
his Ministry! 1t was gravely ar
gued by the opposition that he
possessed no such power; and that
whilst, as matter of courtesy, it
is the custom of a Ministry, on
either side of the British Channel,
to resign whenever it finds itself
in a minority in Parliament, there
was not in this country any power
vested in the Executive to justify
him in dissolving his Cabinet!
The argument did not avail with
General Jackson;-it was an ab,
surdity, in his estimation, not to
be contemplated or considered
and the lapse of a few days brought
forth the designations Of Messrs'
Ingham and Branch and the Elk.
ecutive speedily had a new and
fresh Cabinet.
Everything went on quite
smoothly for a long time. The
new Cabinet was composed of ma
terial that could be fashioned as
necessity might dictate; but the
war with the bank of the United
States and Nicholas Biddle was