Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-27
The Cabinet.


The Washington Patriot, whose special
mission Is opposition to the Administra-
ton and to the Republican party, asserts
that "the course of the President in
gathering around him inferior men, not
even possessing local importance, has
alienated large class of those who most
contributed to his election" This may
display due amount of zeal in the new
Democratic organ, but 1t is OVERRIDING the
business altogether. "Not even possess
ing local imp0rtdnce?" ?" Let us see about
that. Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of
State, one of the most respected Governors
New York has had during the last quarter
of a century, afterward United States
Senator for six years, and always one of
the foremost men of the.city of New FORK,
is certainly not to be whistled down with
that disparaging phrase The Secretary
of the Treasury, Hon. George s.
Boutwell,, was for years Governor
of Massachusetts, and certainly one
of the ablest Executives that State has
ever had. Subsequently he represented his
district in Congress for several years, and
was recognized at home and abroad as
the leading man of the Massachusetts, del
egation. Had he no " local importance I"
If the Secretary of War, Gen. Belknap,
was comparatively new man, all who
have known him in Office admit his fitness
for the place, and not only are the people
of Iowa proud to be represented by him
but he has, in marked degree, won the
confidence and esteem of those best fitted
to Judge of his qualities. That Secretary
Robson, of the Navy Department, is not
lacking in local Importance" may be
seen not only from the position he has held
in New Jersey in years past, but also from
the political revolution just accomplished
in his State, at time when such change
was least of all to be looked for lin what
has been regarded as an almost hopelessly
Democratic State.
The Secretary of the Interior, Hon.
Columbus Delano, nobody needs to be
told, has long been one of the most promi-
nent men of this State; and Postmaster
General Creswell was for years a Repre-
sentative and Senator in Congress from
Maryland, and recognized party leader
at home. Where, too, in all the recon-
structed South, which seems fairly entitled
TO representation in the Cabinet, was
there a real friend of the Administration,
who at the same time possessed the con-
fidence of the Southern people, that could
better fill the office of Attorney General
than Mr.. Akerman has done? To no
other member of the Cabinet than he can
the disparaging remarks of the Patriot
apply with any seeming approach to JUS
tice, yet no candid person will deny that
Mr.. Akerman was well known in Georgia
for years as one of the most prominent
lawyers of the State. Nor, were his case
really an exceptional one, ought the
sweeping charge of inferiority" to be
made, ON his account alone, against Cab
met comprising such distinguished men as
Fish, Boutwell,, Delano, Creswell, and
their other associates.
If reference is had to the Cabinet officers
first selected by President Grant, what
could be more absurd than to deny even
local importance to A, Il. Stewart Judge
Hoar, or Governor Cox? The attempt to
write down an Administration by sneering
at such men as wanting in ability, or in
standing at home, will not prove sue
cess. Other objections have been urged
Changes may be still desired by many Re
publicans, but not on any such false
| ground. The selection of Cabinet never
gives universal satisfaction even to the
| party of the President. Undeniably there
have been complaints of General Grant il
this respect, and disappointments amenl
many of his friends, but to speak of sucl
discontents as affording the basis for di
visions in the party, or to attempt thu
wholesale humiliation of the Cabinet al
ter the manner of the Patriot, is not wis,
political strategy. 1t will avail little TO
wards restoring the Democratic party t
power Cincinnati Chronicle.