Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 4.djvu/388

354 As I have already said, I think Mr. Manning's appointment as Secretary of the Treasury could be defended but it would require a good deal of explanation.

I do not understand what is meant by the phrases “an old men's Cabinet” and “a young men's Cabinet.” What is wanted is public confidence. If this is gained, the years of the [members of the] Cabinet will make no difference. 



&emsp; The more I think of it the more does it seem to me that your inaugural is a matter of uncommon importance—that it should rise as far as possible above the perfunctory commonplace of such occasions and speak with the voice of leadership to the political forces behind you, to give them impulse and direction. My impression now is even stronger than it was at the time I wrote the notice I left with you, that the principal questions before the country should be mentioned in your first official utterance, succinctly but at the same time with a certain statesmanlike comprehensiveness. The moment of your accession to power is an epoch in the history of this Republic, and much depends upon the first effect produced by it upon the public mind. All of which is respectfully submitted.

I have been thinking over the names you mentioned to me yesterday in connection with the Cabinet, and it has occurred to me that while the three Southern men among them are all United States Senators of renown and experience, the Northern men named are all new men, nationally speaking, that is, men without experience and established standing in National affairs. This circumstance may, perhaps, not be looked upon as one of vital