The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-18


these precautions be neglected and the next
four years will be more dangerous to the coun-
try than those which have just passed.
Necessity for . Reconstruction Of the
Cabinet.
1t has become evident that the President is
not supported in his herculean labors to re-
store harmony to the country by those who
ought to support him-the members Of his
| Cabinet Indeed, there is no doubt that some
Of them are trescherously and secretly doing
| all they can to embarrass him in the good
| work. 1t is neither more nor less than a con-
| spiracy between them and the implscable radi-
Gals in Congress 10 break him down, so as to
bring odium upon his administration by rem
dering It powerless. This is not only sad
spectacle, but 1t is disgraceful one. The peo-
pie throughout the country have no idea Of 1t,
and it is only known to the few In Washing
ton who can penetrate the secret arcana Of
politics. But it Is nevertheless a fact. We
assert what Is well known to the President, the
Cabinet and many members of Congress. Nor
are the plots and blows of these conspirators
aimed ct the President alone, though he is the
chief object. Their hostility Is directed against
General Grant also. This great man and glo-
rious hero, to whom the country owes an etor-
nal debt Of gratitude is also the object Of their
malignant secret attacks His great offence
is in being msgnanimous, honest and conser-
vative, and in supporting the Presidents wise
restoration policy.
Many Of the dark intrigues of these men can
not be penetrated, of course, and some can
not be exposed now; but enough is known
to justify us in speaking thus plainly, and
to call upon Mr.. johnson to strike at once at
the conspiracy by Diminishing those in his Cabi-
net engaged in it. There is little reason to
doubt that the Secretary of War, Stanton is the
head and front of the secret Jacobin club at
Washington. On several occasions he has
shown insidious hostility TO the President and
to General Grant. The case of Baker, the chief
of detectives, Is fresh in the memory of
every one. More recently his conduct
in preparing an order countermanding that of
General Grant for mastering out troops in vir-
ginia evinces the same arrogant opposition to
the measures Of the President and the acts of
the General-in-Chief The order Of Stanton
toned in the press throughout the country i'm
mediately after the radical resolution against
the with drawal Of troops was passed in the
House of Representatives. Stanton took advan-
tage Of this opportunity to prepare the order
in accordance with the resolution, and no doubt
gave the information about II to the press. It
is said that when the matter was brought 10
the attention Of the President by General
Grant, who knew nothing Of it officially and
only through the newspapers, the presumptuous
Secretary was forced to back down; but he
could not deny having prepared such an order.
The whole transaction shows that Stanton was
acting in concert with the radlca Is in Congress,
and against the President and General Grant.
It is notorious, too, in Washington, that the Sec
rotary adlliates and consults with the Jscobin /
opponents Of the administration sid gives
them cid and comfort.
Such state Of civil war in tho government
and between It's different members is fraught
with danger to the country, and ought not 10
exist The members Of the Cabinet who can
i
Of the President ought to resign; and IL they
are 20 impervious to sense of propriety, or
are 30 determined to hold on to their places for
Interior political purposes, the President should
dismiss them forthwith. These remarks apply
moro particularly 70 the Secretary Of War; but
there is . want Of harmony with or fitness for
the new order Of things in some Of the others.
They have served their day. They were Score
taries during state Of war, and they seem not
TO be aware that the war should be closed up.
They are not in rapport with the harmonizing
restoration policy of Mr.. johnson. At such an
extraordinary crisis ss the present in the his
tory Of the country the President needs all the
support he could get from an able Cabinet.
Yet be has one in which some of It's members
are conspiring against him and others are inca
pable of giving him any assistance. At the
very time he needs most this support the Score
tary Of State Is absent, as If that functionary !
we're afraid to face the conflict forced upon bis I
chief The President has done well thus far,
and has won the admiration of all the conser- |
vative men Of the country. We have conf |
depce, too, in his irmness honesty and great |
ability. We look upon him a. rock upon
which the elements Of faction are beating |
furiousy but vsinly. Still, respect to himself |
and the position he occupies, and regard for |
the best interests of the country which he has |
so much at heart, demand speedy reconstruc-
ton Of his Cabinet The time has arrived
when temporizing, put-on policy will not do.
The heart Of the people Is with him. the uni |
versal world commends his ststesmanlike mee-
sures and bis success will be certain by de- |
cisive action in the present crisis. The Jacobin
conspirators will undermine or bully him into |
their views II they can; but II he takes the bold
and decided course which is consonani with |
,ia characiar ha will hra.l iboxx. .Ia... s.d \