Inside of his Cabinet, there were men of the same belief, but their power was somewhat neutralized by the attitude of Mr.
Seward, whose faith always lay in the strength of ideas, and not in the use of force, or in the temptation of personal advantage.

Mr.Seward's influence had constantly tended to hold the President back from a ruthless removal of the whole body of officers who declined to take part against the policy of Congress.
According to long-accepted construction of the Constitution, the President's power of removal was absolute and unqualified.

Appointment to office could not be made unless the consent of the Senate was given in each and every case--but the consent of the Senate had not been held as requisite to the removal of an officer.

The Constitution was silent upon the subject, and the existence or non-existence of power in the Senate to prevent a removal from office had been matter of dispute from the foundation of the Government.

Those who contended for the right of the President to remove without consulting the Senate were fortified by the early legislation of Congress and the early practice of the Executive.