Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-01-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Facts AbOut the withdrawal of Cushing's
NominatiOn.-The Presidents Relations
10 the Seuate,

ing for Chief Justice when his attention
was called to his letter to jeff Davis, writ
ten in 1861, shows conclusively that when
he made the appointment he fully believ-
ed him in accord with the Republican
party, as to the indivisibility of the Union
and the power of the Government to re-
store to their proper relations the seeded
States. Looking only to his legal acquire
ments, the President selected Mr.. Cush-
ing, believing his appointment would
me ct the expectations of the country. His
having been Democrat was not the OBJ
lection which weighed against him. A
host of men now prominent in the coun-
ellis of the Republican party were Demo-
Gratis up to the time the South made the
election of Mr.. Lincoln pretext for war.
But it was Mr.. Cushing's extreme views
on States Rights and pro>slavery doctrines
up to the very outbreak ofactual hostilities
and his doubtful attitude since, that made
him obnoxious. When the President be-
came persuaded of the truth of the facts
upon which these objections were pre- dica-
ted, he determined to recall the nomina-
ton. Two important facts are here
worthy of notice An attempt has been
made to prove that the President was cog
infant of the existence of the jeff Davis
letter two DAYS previous to the withdraw~
al of the nomination. But the truth Is,
that iD1nle6idtCLy-within ten minutes
after the contents of that letter were
placed before him, he wrote his message
to the Senate withdrawing the nomina-
ton. But the Senate adjourned before the
message could be delivered, and before its
next sitting Mr.. Cushing wrote to the
President. requesting him to withdraw his
name. On receipt of this request the
President added a second message, trans
hitting the request as matter OF eXpla-
nation from Mr.. Gushing of the circum-
stances under which the Roane letter was
| written. These facts are important, first
as showing that the nomination was a
mistake of judgment on the part of the
| President, and not of spite for the
rejection of Williams, as has been freely
charged; and second as showing that the
President decided upon the withdrawal as
soon as he discovered his error and before
Dir. Cushing's request reached him.
NO RUPTURE OF THE PARTY.
Those who have predicted or feared that
the excitement and acrimony growing out
of the Cushing nomination would cause u
rupture between the President and Con-
gress will be disappointed. The President
has from the beginning of his Admins
| tration recognized to its fullest extent the
right and duty of the Senate to examine
| infinitely into the qualifications of his
| nominees. So far from taking fair and
| legitimate criticisms upon his appoint
ments as evidence of hostility to him, he
has always looked upon them as preroga-
tIves of Senators and of the press, which
he was bound TO respect. L have the high
est authority for saying that both in the
case of Mr.. Williams and Mr.. Cushing, he
has looked upon the comments of the press
! and of Senators as expressions he was
bound to consider and respect, wherever
his motives werenot questioned or aas allied.
Senators who opposed Williams or Cush-
ing honestly, openly and fairly are as cor
daily received and as considerably treated
at the White House as ever before. To one
Senator who was particularly manly and
outspoken in his opposition to Mr.. Will
liams, the President expressed his appre-
citation for his conscientious and fearless
discharges of duty. With such views of
the rights and dulles of Senators, it is not
probable that any hostile or unfriendly
| feelings will take root because of the two
nominations for Chief Justice.
HOW HIS NOMINATIONS ARE MADE
1t is unfortunate that the President does
not consult his friends and advisers more
freely about his nominations. His motives
are unquestionable. AS a commander of
armies, IL has been MS custom TO trust to
his own observation and knowledge of
men in selecting his subordinates. The
| nature of the military service and the cir
| cumstances under which most promotions
are made, make such policy more success
full in the army than in civil service. 1t is
not surprising that by his policy mistakes
should occur. 1t is fortunate, however,
that his temper and his views of the duties
Of the Senate are suited to his manner of
making his appointments; otherwise, we
should long ere this have had another repe-
tition Of Andrew SOhnson's war with Con-
| gress. knowing the motives governing
him in this matter, Senators have been lit.
! tie disposed 70 wage opposition to him. If
| they believed him actuated by spiteful or
vlndictive feelings, there would have been
| a rupture before this. There il no man
more willing to take advice or correct mis-.
takes than the President. Several cases
| have lately come TO my personal knowl-
| edge whrre be has shown unusual can
dor, aud high SENSE of justice rarely man
ifeeted by men so irTltated and harasssd by
| public duties as he l.. A President who
/ makes mistakes hut is willing to correct
| them, Is preferable to one who, though
less liable 10 errors of judgment, stubborn
| ~ adheres 10 them wnen they are made,
| utterly regardless OF consequences.
TESSHssEB NEWS.
The bill for the relief OF the East Ten
Des6ee University now on the Senate caIen-
der, having beeu favuraLly reported by the
| Military COmmIltee, was drawn by
the President himself II VIII br
non ~ aaFa IN 10 81 ~