The New York herald., 1869-02-15

the 9th. In commenting upon the Cabinet, Says
1--WE have no remarks ct present 70 make upon tins
we presume that the entire Change of heads Or de-
partments viii excite some surprise even among the
friends OF the adminstraton-being without pre-
cedent in our government In cases or change OF ad
mnstraton, as In the present case, without change
of politics.
General Taylor left his home early In February.
lslo ee route for washington. but did arrive at
the capital until the 23d. He had Intended to make
j. j. Crttenden OF Kentucky, Secretary OF state, but
Mr. Clays unexpected return TO the Senate frustrated
his design Mr. CrlEtenden and Mr.. Clay were old
frieads but the former had favored General Tayi0r
more available candidate. This caused for time
alienation which had an influence on the subsequens
course Of both. Mr.. Critgenden was apprehenave
that II he took position In the Cabinet OF General
Tayor Mr.. Clay, Senator, would embarrass the I'D
ministTaton. As early rs the 15th OF February,
before General Taylor reached Washington. it was
announced that Mr. Crittenden had declined Cabi-
net position but it was not until the 80 Of March
Lnat IL was announced that tile Cabinet would pro-
badly be composed as follows--
Secretary of State. ]. M. Ciayton OF Delaware:
Secretary OF the Treasury W. NJ. Meredith, OF Penn
syivanla; Secretary OF War. George w. Crawford OF
OF Massachusetts; Postmaster General, Thomas
Ewing OF Ohio; Attorney General W. B. Preston.
OF Virginia.
II was generally believed that Truman Smith OF
Connecticut WHO had been largely instrumental IA
securing the nomination and election OF General
tarY Of the Treasury. Mr.. Clayton did not
FAVOR the appointment OF Mr.. smith, but that
gentleman was rendered by General taylor tne new
IN the closing hours Of the preceding Congress and
after the Cabinet had been formed. Mr.. Smith
promptly refused the position. Mr.. Lawrence do
cned the post Of Secretary OF the Navy which rem
dered recasi Of portion II the Caninet necessary
Ewing secretary OF the Inferior, jacob Colauer or
Vermont, Postmaster General, and Reverdy JOhus0n
Of Maryland Attorney General.
General Pierce arrived in washington on the 2lst
OF February, 1863 Four days before his arrival Ton
the 17th) feeier was thrown out that the Cabinet
Secretary Of State, Caleb Cushing, OF Massachu
sets; Secretary of the Treasury A. q. Flagg. of New
Of 81 ays sew
Jersey; Secretary OF Interior, John q. DObbin, Of
North Carolina; Postmaster General, r. McCelland.
of Michigan; Attorney General, James Campbell, OF
Pennsylvania
Tnls ticket lacked strength ana character. Gen.
eral Pierce was young and the list pr0mu gated had
not national reputation or public confidence 70 the
extent required. Flagg stIll the choice OF Van
Buren, and his friends as the representative Of
New York in the Cabinet, was compelled again
under polk, had laid General Pierce under personal
obligations. Marcy would not, however, consent that
Cushing should occupy the first position in the
CabneG, did the friends OF the administration
generally feel tnat Mr. Gushing had sufficient poti.
possessed OF great legal requirements The selection
OF Marcy for the state Department precluded Fagg
OF Kentucky, through the advice and influence OF
i. P. Blair. Gushing was made Attorney General and
THe posltion OF ali executing Jefrerson Davis WAS
changed and the Cabinet finally stood as follows
secretary OF State, Wn L. Marcy, OF New York: Sec
retary OF the Treasury James Guthrie, OF Kentucky;
Secretary OF War. Jefferson Davis, Of Mississippi;
Secretary OF the Navy, j. O. DoDbIn, OF North Caro-
lima; Secretary of the Interior, X. McCelland, OF
Michigan; Postmaster General, James Campbell, OF
Pennsylvania; Attorney General, Caleb Cushing, OF
Massachusetts.
Mr. buchanan did not arrive in washington until
the I'd OF March, 1857, and had selected his Cabinet
before leaving his home at Lancaster. On the 26Gh
Of February the Ifttcllie7sce7 gave the following
the probable composition or his Cabinet:Secretary
Of State, Lewis Lass, OF Michigan; Secretary OF the
Treasury Howell & COBB, 81 Georgia; Secretary M o.
Navy, Aaron V. Brown, Of Tennessee; secretary or
the Interior J. Thompson. OF Mississippi; PostInas
ter General, J. Clancy Jones' OF Pennsyvania; At
torney General. Isaac Toucey, OF Connections.
1t was also said that Mr.. Jones had declined. ana
that the position OF Postmaster General had been
rendered TO w. q. Alexander OF New Jersey This
programme was but Slightly changed. Mr.. Toucey
was made, Secretary OF the Navy, Aaron v. Brown
Postmaster General and Jeremiah Black was brought
in as Attorney General.
Mn Lincoln arrived in washington on the 23d OF
February, 1851. II was generally believed that Mr.
Seward would be Secretary or State, although Mr.
Chase was the choice OF many for that position.
There Is no DOUBT however, tias u was iixed iact
In the mind OF President Lincoln, though not an
nounced before ne left Springfield, that Mr.. Seward
should have the first place in his Caolnet- To some
extent he was probably committed in making MIR.
was not fully decided, however, until about the
LIST OF March, when MIR. Cameron was assigned
TO the War Department. Mr.. Wellcs for the Navy
and MIR. Bates for Attorney General were, like Dir.
Seward selected but not announced before Mr. Lin
and Montgomery Blair for Postmaster General were
determined upon about the LIST OF March. Until
late day Mr.. Lincoln was disposed 10 appoint Cabi
net officer from one Of the states south OF Washing
ton. Hence the Ingerior Department was kept open
until late period. There also strong effort IN
certain quarters 10 substitute the name OF Henry
Winter Davis for hat OF Mr. Blair as the representa-
tive or Maryland In the Cabinet
General Grant u called and truly IL, o s'retIcenr'
man. especially upon matters that do not concern
his own business and do concern other peoples. lie
does not set himself up oracle critic at large
to find fault with Congress or urge II forward or
backward daily. Having Kept silent until the time
for action arrives he Is never embarrassed by un-
necessary comrnittas. But az the Cabinet he
does not differ from his predecessors In general who
have waited at least until they declared elected
before publishing TO tha world their Intentions And
II the reporters should hear nothing decisive
corning the cabinet until March they viii be no
worse or than many or their predecessors.