National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-05
Concerning the Cabinet.

The minds and tongues and pens OF
men are busy forming General Garfsld's S
Cabinet. We doubt whether the Presi-
dent-elect has decided upon single
member of his officia! family. He has
sixty days left yet in which to do all this
work. The situation does not remain
stationary for day. He certainly will
reserve the right, up to late time, for
action. In the very nature of things
some have doubtless been marked by him
as probable ministers. In some there
may have been given indications almost
! tantamount to invitations. But that he
could have heard or thought enough as
yet On which TO form complete judg-
ment we do not believe
! By all the rules which ought to govern
in such cases, his most formidable COM
! petitorS in the National Convention should
be consulted. He ought to appoint no
man whose worth and fitness are not
apparent to him; but the delegates to the
National Convention represented the
party, and the men they voted for were
! representative men.
/ 1t would, therefore, be most natural
I that General Grant and Senator Blaine
! should be consulted by General Garfield
in the formation of his Cabinet. The fit
ness of things would point to the designa-
| ton of Mr.. Blaine for the first place,
! because, of the two named, he alone
could properly accept an appointment.
priety, sit at the council board of sue
cessor This eminently suitable action is
confidently and quite generally predicted.
The country would look with satisfac-
ton and approval upon the designation
of the great New England leader to the
Premiership. His high abilities, large
experience in affairs, intense American
spirit, courtly manners, and comfortable
circumstances, together with his indefina
ble adaptability to all occasions and sur
roundings, make him the man for the
place.
If the State Department should go to
the leader of the great element which
follows Mr.. Blaine, it would seem
but natural that the Treasury Depart
ment-next in importance-should seek
out some able and trusted man among
those who desired to honor General
Grant The question of locality is
not material. Whoever is yersed in
our financial system, whoever is grounded
in the Nations standard of honesty to-
ward creditors and of stability for the
currency, whoever is sound Republican
and jealous to promote party success,
whoever will serve faithfully, subordinat-
ing all personal ambition, and strive to
aid in making the administration worthy
of continuance in power, such a man
ought to be appointed without regard to
the State he halls from.
Despite all the cant and dry-rot about
disregarding party services, We sincerely
hope that, ability, fitness, and integrity
being first considered, the President-elect
willc othe State and Treasury Depart
ments the men who most truly represent
the wishes of the two great elements in
the party which supported Grant
and Blaine at Chicago, and who,
during the campaign, rendered the best
services in what was then truly claimed
to be the most patriotic work in which
citizens could be engaged. Less than
this will beget disappointment and heart
burnings dangerous to the party. Gen
eral Garfield is a Republican. He be-
lieves that ne serves his country best
who serves his party best, because it is
through a party, formed on a basis
of correct principles and policies,
that the country must be governed. He
will not fail to remember that his cleo
ton is due to all the elements of the
party, and that each ought to be consid-
cred. He will not aid any faction to
weaken and destroy another. He will
honor those who are deservedly horored
by the party, and great services
rendered when our cause was at the
mercy of a tempest ofmalice and SANDER
will be passport to his consideration
and gratitude.