The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-08

Eastern question. Austria France, and Eng
land have, at least, given the Turks no hope
of aid in case of a new Eastern war, but have
repeatedly joined Russia and Prussia in urging
upon the Porte the necessity of making con-
cessions to the Christian provinces. Thus
Greece has much greater reason to hope for
aid from abroad than Turkey.
A war between Greece and Turkey is likely
to bring on the crisis in the Eastern question.
1t will throw the whole of Eastern Europe into
the widest excitement, and it may soon put
an end to the rule of the Mosems in Europe,
and prepare the ground for the erection of
new States in accordance with the wishes of
the majority of the population.
The Secretary of War Declines the Pre-
sideDI's Invitation to Resign.
From The Herald.
Mr.. Stanton has declined the Presidents in
vitation to retire from office. "Grave public
considerations, he writes, in reply to the
Presidents letter, ''constrain me to continue
in the position of Secretary of War until the
next meeting of Congress-" In some circum-
stances it would seem mere matter of pro-
priety and personal dignity, that member of
a ministry should retire when his views of
public policy were no longer in harmony with
the views of his official associates, and more
particularly when he held position of direct
antagonism with the constitutional Executive.
In this view, therefore-which is indeed the
true view of the courtesies and proprietes of
the relations of Cabinet officer in their natu-
raj state--a letter should hardly be called for;
a mans own perceptions should carry him out
of office. But this would be narrow view of
the case to take at the present time, and the
country must regretfully acknowledge that this
delicacy would be worse than wasted on Mr..
Johnson.
He would not only misunderstood this con-
duct, but he would dangerously abuse the
position in which such course would place
him; for we are of opinion that the suggestion
of devolving Mr.. StantOn's duties on General
Grant does not indicate the Presidents pur-
pose. This is an idea artfully thrown out to
soothe the public mind in view of possible
change-to render the people less dissatifed
with the notion of getting Stanton out of the
way; for as Grant is accepted as the staunchest
champion of popular rights, the hint that he
will succeed to the Secretary's duties is ex-
pected to spread the idea that the present
irIeconcilable trouble between Johnson and
Stanton is not owing to any difference in prin-
ciple relating to reconstruction, but rather to
such smaller matters as personal pique. This
is the purpose of the statement that Stanton
will give way to Grant. 1t is to commend the
change to the country; while behind it, no
doubt, is a real intention to put in Mr.. Stan
toms place man who can be used as an easy
/ tool in a new game for the obstruction of the
Congressional plan for the restoration of the
States
| Mr.. Stanton has held to his place through
many storms with peculiar tenacity and he
must now take his cue in his relations with
! the Executive from the course of Congress.
In passing the Tenure of Office bill Congress
! declared its want of confidence in the Presi-
! dent. 1t declared that the safety of the
! country would not permit that he should re-
! tain the power which usage and the law
had alike assigned to his Office, and it tied his
| his hands by law against which no respecta-
! BILE protest was heard. That law was intended
! to cover Just such a case as this and Mr.. Stan
ton must stand upon it now. His resignation
would be just what the President and his party
most desire; for they have so little confidence
! in their case that they fear to push it to a
| direct issue. Let Mr.. Stanton rest distinctly
! on the law, that we may see and know what
there is in it, and have nothing covered up.
! In view of the threatenings that have been
! Illuminated against Stanton and Sheridan, we
! doubt if the President will dare to follow up
! his game if he finds the Secretary resolute and
determined to test his right. But if he has
| the courage, let the issue be fairly made. He
| proposes, it is said, if Mr.. Stanton will not
! resign, to remove him, and depend for his JUS
tification upon the clause of the law that
| retains Secretary OF war In ONCE Tor
the term of the President by whom he is
appointed, unless sooner removed, with the
consent of the Senate, and calling attention to
the fact that Mr.. Stanton was appointed by
| Mr.. Lincoln.
We see here that the President proposes to
rest his case upon a bubble, and has pro-
badly had advice on the subject from that
illustrious quibbler, Mr.. Stanbery. Doubtless
Mr.. Stanbery could argue all around the law,
and could even prove it Unconstitutional" il
called upon; but people have taken the law
in its plain meaning, and they cannot see how
MIR. Lincoln could form Mr.. JOhnson's Cabinet
If it suited Mr.. Johnson to accept the Cabinet
left by Mr.. Lincoln, such acceptation was
practical reappointment, and cannot be other
wise regarded.
Cam tha President RemOve a Oablnet