Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-03-19

member Of Mr.. Lmcoln's Cabinet,
holding the position Of Postmaster
General. Mr.. Blair, as is well known,
differed with the President on many
important subjects connected with the
administration ofthe government, and
did not hesitate TO make those differ.
ences known both 10 the President and
10 the public. When these differences
Of opinion between tho President and
his Constitutional adviser came to the
knowledge Of certain Senator's belong.
ing to Mr. Lincoln's party, they caused
to be drawn up and afterwards signed
and presented TO the President the fol.
lowing paper;
The theory of our goveznment, the early and
uniform practical construction thereof, Is that
the President should be aided by Cabinet coun.
Gil agrseiHg sih Atm IN political pr,neipls and
general policy, and that all imporfanf neasures
and appointments should BE- fhs rssut Of iAeir com.
bined wisdom and deiiberafion. This most obvi
Gus and necessary condition OF things, tpifkouf
phioh no adminisiraiioH can wcpeed, we and the
public believe does not exist, aud therefore such
selections and changes In Its members should be
maao - NAt HtNuft W tht cuuutfN unity OF nur-
pose and action in all material and essential re-
spects, more especially in the present crisis Of
public Affairs.
The Cabinet should be erciusivsv eomposed Of
stdtesmin ieAo the cordial rssoiue un,suveyipo
supporter. Of iAs PriHeiPie' and psspo'e. above
mentioned.
This statement was signed by the
following United States Senators
James Dixon and L. S. Foster, Of Connecticut,
0. II. Browning and Lyman Trumbull Of Illinois
James Harlan and J. W. Grimes, Of Iowa, S. G.
Pomeroy, Of Kansas Lot NJ. Morrill, and W. +.
Pessenden, Of Maine II. d. Anthony, Of Rhode
lslandi Solomon Foot and Jacob Collamer, Of
Vermont; Charles Sumner and Henry Wilson, Of
Massachusetts,, zaehariah Chandler, Of Michigan
Daniel r.. CLARK and John ?. Hale, Of New Hamp-
shirei Preston King and Ira Harris Of New YORK
Benjamin Y. Wade and John Sherman, Of Ohio
David Wilmot and Edgar Cowan, Of Pennsylvania;
]. X. DOolttle and 7. 0. Howe, Of Wisconsin.
Accepting the theory thus advanced
as sound one, and acting on the ad-
vice Of his party friends, Mr.. Lincoln
signifed to Mr.. Blair that his resigna-
ton would be accepted, and it was at
once rendered.
In 1867, Edwin M. Stanton was a
member of Mr.. Johnson's Cabinet,
holding the position of Secretary ofl
War. The President and Mr.. Stanton
did not agree upon many subjects con-
nected with the administration of the
government, but upon this they did
agree, viz: That the Tenure of Office |
bill vas and is an unconstitutional
enactment, and that the object of its
passage was and is contrary to the
established "theory of our govern.
ment,' and TO "thc early and uniform
practical construction thereof" In
THIS they were agreeu Tor InI. ,v..-.-
ton heartily endorsed the message
vetoing the act, which was sent TO the |
Senate. That body, however, as did
also the House, passed the act over
the veto, and II became law.
In the course Of time the differences
between the President aud his Secre-
tary became irreconcilablc. Never
dreaming that the man who volunta-
rily furnished an argument against
the constitutionality of the Tenure of. |
Office Act, and who declared privately |
that IL was q most unwarrantable
assault upon the prerogatives of the
Executives, would avail himself of its
provisions 10 retain bis seat in the
Cabinet after he had been informed |
that he was no longer wanted, Mr.,
johnson signified to Mr.. Stanton that
his resignation would be accepted
What did Mr.. Stanton doY Did he
follow the example of Mr.. Blair. and
resigni Not bit of it. With an
that is surprising, and with
q meanness TINT is disgraceiul, even
to him, the Secretary refused to relieve
the President and the Cabinet of his
hateful presence. He was suspended
The reasons for the act were sent TO
the Senate-to the same men who,
just three years previously, had as
serted that "tho Cabinet should be
exclusively composed of statesmen
who are the cordial, resolute, unwa-
vering supporters Of the President
to the same men who urged the remo-
val of Mr.. Blair, and affixed their sig.
natures TO paper affirming the right
Of the President TO secure "unity Of
purpose and action" among his con-
stitutional advisers. What did they
do : They basely, and, we may say,
wickedly interposed in favor Of Stan.
tor d nd forced him back into the Cab
met. Such a plain act of double deal
ing shows that they are bound by no
principle, restrained by no precedent.
1t shows that they are ready to follow
any road that promises to advance
their party ends. 1t proves beyond
doubt that bitter partizans now occu-
ny the seats where formerly sat states
men and patriots--wherc formerly sat
men who were governed by principle
and who had only the interests of the
whole country in view.--Repubiicdn
Farmer.