Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-30
a CABINET REMINISCENCF.

The New York Times recalls the follow
ing incident in the history of Mr. Lincoln'S
administration
During a very critical period Of Mr.. LipcoIp's
administration caucus Of Union Senators ap-
pointed committee Of nine TO wait upon the
President and demand the dismissal Of Mr.. Sew
ard. The committee cautiously received
and Judge Collamer who was its chairman, read
written address urging the importance Of united
cabinet councils, IN order 10 a vigorous admins
tration of public affairs Each member of the
committee. being called upon in turn by the Pres
idcnt for bis opinions cOncurred in this view Of
the case. and insisted upon the absolute necessity
OF a concurrence on the part Of every member Of
his cabinet. with the President in the principles
and policy Of his administration. Mr.. Lincoln
withheld an expression Of his own sentiments. but
said there was one question he wished each Sena-
tor 10 consider carefully and 10 to his own
cOnscience-and that was this: y on urge said he.
the importance Of having each member Of my
cabinet agree 'ohh ae-but are you not really the
most anxious that / should have a cabinet. every
member Of which will agree ruth DOu' When
they were prepared % answer this question he
begged them to come back, and he would give
them another interview. Ii agreement with hiBt
was what they really wanted, that was already
secured The committee did not return
The practical wisdom illustrated by this
incident is worthy of imitation. The minds
Of the irresponsible million are constantly
changing, and if the administration were to
follow these whims, we should be even in a
worse condition than was Mexico in the
days when each morning new revolutions
were announced. Stability is one of the
great virtues Of government, and this quail
ity in all countries has given greater
strength to their rulers and more prosperity
to the people than any other one circum-
stance
In this country we have been too much
under the influence of momentary feelings
The true statesman who leads in in a repre-
sentative Democracy, is often in disfavor; but
a little experience convinces the people that
they may err as well as their representatives.
Our system requires that when the
people have made choice of an Executive,
that he shall control our national affairs ac-
cording to his good judgment and in con-
formity TO the general good. If old parties
change, or new parties spring up, and al
tered circumstances are presented his guide
must be his wisdom as applicable to the best
and most lasting interests Of the country.
He is responsible TO the people and to pos
terity, and if his counsels are divided, he is
in danger of betrayal. Although Mr.. LIN
coin was man from and of the people, he
would not consent to make himself the sport
Of politicians His good Judgment was vim
Dictated by the event-for he succeeded in
closing the war without foreign complica-
tions, and the stone which the builders on the
sand rejected, became one Of the chief
corner stones in the temple Of the Union
and its triumph.
But Mr.. LINCOLN then saw that to make
his administration and his views of policy
effective, it was absolutely necessary to have
in his Cabinet Council men who not only
agreed with him in opinion, but who, by
energy and ability were a power within
themselves The same lesson may yet be
proftably read, and President JOHNSON will
not fail 10 read it Alright The recent de-
monstration has decided the popular mind
Of the country upon the questions of Cabinet
concurrence with his policy, that were pre-
viously in doubt. Every day that he holds
within the Cabinet circle an enemy of his
administration, he admits a spy into his
counsels, who will take advantage of the
favor to overthrow and defeat his policy.
For all these purposes ANDREW JOHNSON
had as well have SUMNER or STEVENS in his
Cabinet, as some whose names it is unneces-
sary 10 mention, who are now there. That
there must be reorganization we consider as
certain az that the President will fail with