Year: 1876

1t is the custom to declare that President
Grant always creates surprise when he
makes Cabinet appointment. This dec
laration was frequently made regarding
the Cabinet changes announced yesterday.
Yet little reflection will show that there
was nothing surprising about them. In the
first place the sectional equilibrium of the
Cabinet-whatever that may be-of which
the politicians have so much to say, has
been restored. Instead of two, we now
have only one Cabinet Minister from New
York, while Pennsylvania and Ohio, two
great Middle States, are given equal and
satisfactory representation. At the same
time it will be admitted that the gentlemen
selected were not unknown and are sbun.
dainty qualified for their respective posi-
tions. Judge Taft's experience in public
life in Ohio and his recent, though brief
administration of, the War Department
have served to show that he is in every
way an acceptable executive officer. His
legal requirements are acknowledged to be
of q superior order, and his devotion to the
principles of the Republican party is un-
questioned. As the chief of the Depart
ment of Justice he will earn and deserve
public respect and esteem. Mr.. Cameron,
the new War Secretary, has long been be-
fore the public in various positions re-
qulring executive ability of the highest
order, as well as untiring energy and close
devotion to his duties. He has often
before this been talked of and pressed
for Cabinet appointment, and in select
ing him, even at this late day, the Presi-
dent has been able to crafty the warmest
desires of the overwhelming majority Of
the Republicans of the Key stone State.
Although comparatively young in years, he
is ripe in experience, and possesses the
rare merit of being not only successful as
business man, but political organizer.
With Judge Tan as Attorney General and
Don Cameron as Secretary of War, the
Mississippi blunder, by which hundreds
of Republicans were murdered, while
thousands were disfranchised, and a great
Commonwealth given, over to White
League mob rule, could not have ha ,
pened. This, by way Of assurance for the
future.


As regards the political significance of
these two appointments, the gossips have
much to say, the majority of them assum-
ing that it is q movement in behalf of the
nomination OF Senator Conkling at Cincin-
natl. In our opinion, if it has any signii-
cancs beyond desire on the part of the
President to select good men to be his con-
stitutional advisers, it simply means that
the Administration intends to stamp its ap-
proval upon the widespread sentiment in
the Republican party that the day for tenn
porizing with halfway friends and
weak. .kneed conciliators has passed.
OF course the Opposition will howl
about the machine" and franticslly de-
clare that the Government has been placed
still more at the control of the "m.chine
men," but experience has proved that the
principles which every loyal man and good
citizen has nearest at heart are never safer
than when active, clear headed, determined
and courageous men are put forward as
party leaders.


The Senate did wise thing in confirm
ing these nominations SO promptly yester-
day, thereby freeing its members from the
impudent proffer of advice from the cavilers
of the Opposition press. The country will
breathe more freely now that this result is
accomplished, and the solid, substantial
voters and workers for the Republican
cause will put their shoulders to the wheel
determined to win the victory in the COM
ing campaign. In short, there is encour-
agement in the air, and new life has been
infused into the veins of the Republican
party. President Grant has the thanks of
every true Republican in the country.