New-York tribune., 1901-09-19
No CHANGE IN THE CABINET.

President Rooseyelts declaration just prior 10
his taking the oath of office at Buffalo that IL
,youId be his aim to maintain aDsoiutely uh-
broken the policy of President Mckinley for the
peace the prosperity and the honor OF the coui-
fry was universally accepted as perlecuy sih-
cere Hardly any man so placed at such liiie
could have taken that pledge with less than ali
his mind and heart. and nobody has Tor mo-
mont suspected Mr. Roosevelt of mental reser-
walton impairing its validity. Nevertheless MS
nromDt and successful effort TO retain the ser
vices of all the members of his predecessor
Cabinet is a welcome reinsurance. not or ndeIS
to his promise. but Of discernment as TO the
host means of CARRYING Il into effect. His word
was sufficient guarantee OF his intehtion' out
some apprehension concerning the future might
have fingered if he had preferred 10 make I'M
portant changes in his official family, or II the
late Presidents constitutional ADVISERS hau peen
unwilling TO keep their places.
The country has sustained profound shock,
and foreign governments have necessarily con-
temnlated its consequences with keen solicitude
For the time being grief at home and sympathy
abroad are the controlling sentiments mingled
with solemn pride and exaltation or spirit at
the spectacle of a great nation calmly and con-
fidently confronting direful emergency. 1et
there may have been danger that when the ten
sion of feeling relaxed and the inevitable re-
action SET in doubts would arise to breed de-
spondency among our own people and mlsun-
derstandings among our neighbors. II such a
possihility existed il has been averted, so far as
official action could avert it. by President Roose
velts immediate appeal to Secretary Hay ana
his colleagues for their continued assistance IN
| the government and their patriotic response.
| National policies do not invariably depend for
their success upon their intrinsic quality alone.
The estimate widely placed upon the instru-
ments chosen to promote them may be an i'm
portant factor in the case. Ii is conceivable
that 4 reorganization of the Cabinet at this
time might have encouraged a disposition to
look too curiously for signs of a departure from
the path marked out by President Mckinley,
and even to manufacture evidence of innova-
tions. That contingency, remote we believe,
yet not to be ignored. has been anticipated by
President Roosevelt. The continuity of a great
administration remains unbroken. 1t is a timely
and universally acceptable fulfilment of his
pledge.
The President has been not only wise but
fortunate. Circumstances might have prevented
him from accomplishing his desire. Indeed, it
was commonly supposed that some members of
the Cabinet would feel constrained to insist on
retiring even if he should earnestly entreat
them to remain. Their unanimous consent TO
continue at their posts is not only an assurance
TO the country and the world of the govern
ments steadfast adherence to the course which
has so signally advanced the honor and pros
perity of the nation, but a worthy example of
that fine civic spirit which is essential to the
maintenance of free institutions.