The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-17


pose to 90 into the history of that scandal,
and our only object in abiding to it at all
is to show that President Jackson's enemies
felt that they had no case against him if
he really dissolved the Cabinet because
several of its members were engaged
in intrigues relating to the succession.
They could not deny that this was
good cause for removals, and they pre-
ferred to stand on the more tenable ground
that the President had no right to dictate
the social intercourse Of their families. The
hollowness of this pretext was proved by
their confessed wish to have Mr.. Eaton APP
pointed Minister to Russia If he could be got
out of the Cabinet, Tor if his wife was fit
associate for the ladies of ST. Petersburg
there was no social necessity for cutting her
in the society OF Washington. The way
she was dragged into tile political quar-
rel is conclusive proof that the
Calhoun faction felt that they had no
ground to stand on if the Cabinet removals
were made for the reason assigned by the
President.
1t accordingly results from the history of
that memorable controversy, and from the
nents, that opposition in the Cabinet to the
Presidents wishes respecting the succession
is sufficient ground for displacing the dis
senting members This was admitted by
the wing party, who were spectators of the
singular quarrel by the Calhoun democrats,
who dared not assai the right of the Presi-
dent to dissolve his Cabinet for the cause he
assigned, and it was the chosen ground Of
defence by the Presidents supporters, who
knew the country would support him in
such . position, and SO they secuted the
charge that the aspersions on Mrs. Eaton
were the ground Of the Presidents action.
BY the consent of all parties at that period a
division of the Cabinet on the succession, or
an attempt to cross the wishes of the Presi-
dent on that subject, was justifable reason
for dismissing members.
The application of that principle is suf-
ficently obvious. It is we'll known that the
Cabinet of President Grant is not what Gen
eral jackson called ''unit" on the ques-
ton of the succession. The President pre-
fers Senator Conkling Secretary Bristow is
actively at work for himself Secretary Fish
puts on IN air of indifference, but would
more willingly defeat Conkling than aid him
Postmaster General Jewell holds vast pa
tronage which, in his hands, will never be
welded in favor of the New York Senator. No
member Of the Presidents Cabinet who
stands high in public esteem, or who, like
Mr.. Bristow and Mr.. Jewell, has large
patronage, will act in concert with the Pres
ident or try to promote his wishes respect
ing the succession. On the contrary, they
are doing all in their power to Illustrate the
Presidents choice. If he should initiate
jackson by dissolving his Cabinet and
making it's successor ''unit'' on the ques-
ton of the succession, nobody could reason
ably blame him. Whatever may be thought
of the Presidents own right to interest him.
self in such matter there can be no ques-
ton at all as to the improperly of men,
bers of the Cabinet engaging in Presi-
Dental intrigues in opposition to his wishes
and using the patronage of their departments
to promote their own personal chances or
those of their friends. Such abuses of a
public trust and Of the Presidents conf
dence admit of no defence, and if President
Grant dissolves his Cabinet on this ground
both past precedents and the present public
opinion will sustain him.