The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-10
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS oP THR LEADING JOURNALS
UPON CURRENT ToPIOs--ooMPhsD EVERY
DAY FOR THE EVENING TELBGRAPH.
The New cabinet.

From the ~. Y. TfrSes.
General Grant is receiving a plentiful stock
of advice as to the composition Of his Cabinet
from journalists and politicians who labored
strenuously to prevent his election. lie is
too sensible man to disregard good counsel,
whether proceeding from enemies or friends.
But the value OF suggestions may be esti-
mated, presumptively, 10y the character for
sagacity of those who make them. And as
the Democrats have wretchedy msmanaged
their own concerns, and both in the selection
OF nominees and the conduct OF the campaign
have evinoed the most consummate folly, 1T
is probable that General Grant will not con-
slider them peculiarly qualified to act as his
advisers. Success may take warning from
failure, but it is scarcely likely to make fail
pre a confidential friend.
The qualities displayed by General Grant as
q soldier afford the best possible guarantee as
well of the Judgment as OF the independence
which may be looked for in the formation of
his administration. Not the least of the
causes of his military prestige was the saga
ciOus estimate Of character which enabled him
to single out the best men under his COM
mand and to assign them to the duties for
which they were best fitted. No paltry jealousy
hindered him from putting strong men on the
road to distinction; no petty favoritism i'm
PEELED him to Mt incompetence over distin-
guished ability. He thought only of the
great object to be attained, and in his devo-
tion to duty looked always for the most etfec-
tive available assistance. 1t is reas onably
certain that in the selection of Cabinet the
same discrimination will save him from the
pitfalls that would have environed almost
any other President. He is a good judge of
character. His method of estimating men
leaves little hope for charlatanry, and none
for notorious unftness. His contempt for the
low arts of the professional politician, and his
freedom from the entagling alliances which
are too often the price of high Office, are cir
cumstances greatly in his favor. He will be at
liberty to assign to the several departments men
whose antecedents inspire confidence in their
integrity, and whose capacity for administra-
tive labor has been satisfactorily proved. His
own position, moreover, will no doubt enable
him to gather about him some to whom, ordi-
parily, Cabinet Offices form no temptation.
More than mere politicians will be willing to
cooperate with him in fulfilling the hopes and
expectations awakened by his election.
And yet it is absurd to suppose that Gene
raj Grant, in his choice of Cabinet officers,
will travel beyond the boundaries of the Re-
publican party. Violent partisanship we do
not look for at his hands. Nevertheless, he is
Republican President, made such despite
Democratic opposition and this Cabinet must
possess the confidence of the party that sup
ported him, not of the party by whom he was
assailed. The pretensions of cliques he may,
and doubtless will, value at their proper rate;
but to the general and understood wishes of
the Republican party, as whole, he should,
and we are quite sure he Will, accord un-
grudging respect. One of the prime condi-
tions of his usefulness is the establishment
of harmony between the Executive and Con-
gress, and this will be impossible unless the
nominations for responsible Offices commend
themselves to the majority by known identi-
feation with the principles and purposes Of
the Republican organization.
II those of the Democrats who profess
anxiety for the success and welfare of General
Grant as President are really honest in their
utterances, we recommend them to employ
their influence in moderating the rancor of
their own party, and in substituting fair play
for the factious opposition which Republican
measures have almost uniformly encountered.
They cannot hope to construct Seymour
Cabinet with Grant as President. But they
may help to abate the bitterness of partisan
ship, to purify the working OF the Govern
mept, and to hasten the restoration of lasting
peace by the adoption of a moderate and prac-
teal course. They have it in their power,
especially in the South, to contribute to the
return OF national harmony and prosperity.
The possibility, or even the promise of these
services will not, however, entitle them to
any share in the administration of the Gov
ernment. The country looks for Cabinet in
whose aims 1t may repose entire confidence:
and the standard by which General Grants
advisers will in part be judged, is their rela-
tion TO the party wn2se principles and policy
have just achieved SO signal a triumph.
ofo