The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-22


pointee to any office, high or low.
AS General Grant is certain to make mp O
Cabinet Of Republicans, we do not see that
any thing would be gained by his showing q
marked preference for that wing of the party
which is called conservative. Ii he means to
control the party, his Cabinet must consist of
men who enjoy its confidence. We believe
that he could make a more moderate and
reasonable admi inistration with Cabinet of
radicals than with Cabinet OF conservatives.
He has got to humor the Republican party,
IS a wise physician humors the fancies of an
insane patient, as means OF controlling him.
General Grant cannot alter the pa5t with a
Congress so largely Republican he cannot pro-
cure the repeal OF sDy of the favorite Republi-
can measures. He may, therefore, as well
make the best of them, aud select as his advi-
sers men who have powerfully contributed TO
their establishment This would allsy the fears
and distrust Of the party, and prevent It's iudg-
ing his administration in jealous, cavilling
spirit. The Republican party will acquesUe in
many things from a supposed friend, which
they would not endure from proiessed enemy,
especially If they regarded that enemy as
an apOstate. A Cabinet of radicals, privately
pledged to moderation, would have better
prospect of success than q Cabinet Of avOwed
conservatives, inasmuoh as the latter would
not enjoy the confidence of the party and
could not lead it. General Grant would pro-
badly have no difficulty in finding men of raii-
cal antecedents, who, for the sake of Office and
influence, would be- willing to stop with what
the party has already done, and promise their
fullest cooperation in toning down the aggres-
sve spirit it has heretofore exhibited. II is
much better that he should do this than pro-
woke it TO 60 great lengths by futile oppo5i-
lion and defiance. His best stroke as a con-
servative tagtcian is to capture as many as
possible of the radical leaders, and pledge
them to moderate cOupsels.
Secondly, if the course wa have indicated
would be wi:e, it would be mistake for
General Grant to make up Cabinet of experts,
each in his own department, as some have
supposed that he may. The general ability
and political influence Of the Cabinet are quite
as important as their special knowledge. Bx-
perts are seldom men of much sagacty or en-
laTgement of views. They are exceedingly
useful, often Indispensable, as subordinates;
but men of sound judgment and wide eXpe-
Iience make better heads of departments,
although these should OF course be CONVEX
SAINT with the affairs they are called to direct.
b, sides managing their departments, Cabinet
officers shOGld be capable of aiding the pas
sage of administrative measures through
Congress. They are in constant intercourse
with the committees of Congress, whom
they supply with information; and if they
are able and sagacio1s, they can exert
great power i'll moulding the legislation
of the country. The chief Assistant Secre-
taries should be experts, for their duties do
not eX end outside the walls of their depart
mepts; but the Secretaries themselves
are brought into constant intercourse with
leading members of Congress, and should be
capable of rising out of the atmosphere of a
department, and taking broad views of public
| questions. If General Grant should put mere
solder at the head of the War Department, a
| mere naval officer at the head of the Navy
| Department, mere statistican or political
economist at the head OF the Treasury Depart
ment and fill all the places in a similar way,
itwould need no prophet to predict the failure
| OF his administration. Its success depends
| upon its ability to control men and influence
| public opinion, and these are the functions
not of experts, but of statesmen. II would be
thought ridiculous in England to fill the lead
ing places in the Cabinet with men who were
merely capable OF conducting the interior busi-
ness of their several offices. The more special
knowledge the head of department possesses,
OF course the better; but unless he possesses a
great deal else, he will play vely insignificant
part in the administration. a Cabinet wholly
made up of such men would soon become a
! butt of derision.
Thirdly, supposlng General Grant to act on
the principles we have suggested, it would
be easier to conjecture whom he will exclude
from his Cabinet than whom he will appoint
He will probably not appoint Charles Francis
Adams Secretary of State, although thai
statesman is better qualified for the duties O.
the Office than any other man in the country
But the fact that the average feeling of the
Republican party towards Mr.. Adam!
is cold or hostile would prevent hil
adding any effective strength te General
Grants administration. Probably General
Grant desires to do nothing which Mr.
Adams would not cordially approve, and
an administration were not dependent OF
Congress and public opinion, there could no
be more admirable selection. But Genera
Grant would find it less difficult to max
moderation popular, il he selects party tavo
rites as his instruments and coadjutoTs
Mr.. Adams would be looked at by the Re
publicans with jaundiced eyes, whereas
radical doing precisely the same things
would be judged with candor and indulgence
The same remark will apply, though wit
less force, to Mr.. Fessenden, who, next to Mr.
Adams, is the fttest selection General Gran
could make in point of qualifications. Nj
Fessenden has given a strong support to tn
reconstruction policy and the general mea
sures of the party; but his opposition to in
parchment and his supposed conservative
leaniugs cause the party TO look askance a
him. He and Sumner are not on speakin
terms, and Sumner is certain to be the Chain
man OF the Committee on Foreign Relation
throughout General Grants term, In foreig
affairs the Senate is very potent, as all treatie
require its continuation; and the machneT
Of government would be a good deal out
gear, ii the two most influential persons COZ
nected with this great branch OF the publ
service were virulent personal enemies A
General Grant must naturally despise Sun
ner, he may give the otice TO fesEenden no
, withstandipg this objection. But it is mex
| - h. mill Ot 70