Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-15
THE GREAT CONSPIRACY-WHAT
ARE IT'S PLANS AND PURPOSES.

For three months events of startling magni-
tude have so closely followed, one upon the
heels of another that our whole time has
hardly sufficed for their record We have
been too much entranced by the phenomena
to study their origin or law Astounding rob
berries and defacations the most shameless
abandonment of public trusts the treachery
of civil and military officers the surrender Of
forts, ornaments and munitions OF war of one
half the Confederacy; the disarming Of one
portion of it to arm the other; the conspiracy
in the Cabinet to destroy the government, in
which the facile Buchanan has been so much
involved as to completely demoralize the man,
and destroy all ability for prompt and indie
pent action--eyenis and developments so un-
foreseen and incredible, have occurred with
such rapidity, that we could only regard them
with mute wor der.
All these things, disjointed and unconnect-
ed as they seemed, were entire consistent with
each other, and were harmonious parts OF a
well-designed plan, of which we at the North
have been the quiet and unsuspecting dupes,
II is perfectly well known by those who have
given attention to the subject that for years
there has been settled determination in the
Gulf states to break up the Union, from which
they were thoroughly estranged. The utter
empire, TO embrace the islands in the Gulf OF
Mexico and the territories facing it. This plan
has been the absorbing idea at the South
For a time its success seemed probable, IN
der the auspices of Walker, but he failed from
the defective qualities in his own character.
At one time Gen. Quitman was near heading
foray upon Cuba. The failure of the feeble
expeditions sent out both to Cuba and Central
America, served only to excite and consolidate
the sentiment on which they were based, and
to turn attention in another direction, from
which adequate means might be obtained for
expeditions fitted out on much more impos-
ing scale. The first step of the conspirators,
consequently, was to seize upon our oion gov
eminent, and either compel it to abet their
ends. or to plumber it TO an extent that would
disarm the northern, and arm the southern
states, and supply all the means not only FOL
defensive, but aggressive warfare. The cleo
ton of the feeble and compliant Pierce was
the stepping stone TO their entrance to power,
which was fully secured to them by the APP
pointment of Mr.. jefferson Davis, who for a
life time had been made determined disunion-
list, as Secretary of War This gentleman
was the master-spirit of the Administration
as he is now OF the present secession move
ment. The composition of Mr.. Pierces cab
met did not suffer the conspirators to 90 fur
Their than to mature their plans.
The election of Mr. Buchanan followed, AND
we now know that his nomination was effect
ed upon the express assurance Of corporation
and sympathy with the extreme southe sent
iment. Cobb became Secretary OF the Treas
ury, Floyd Secretary of War, and Thompson
of the Interior. Everything in the govern
ment was arranged to suit their designs Tn
President was supple tool in their hands
SO were the other secretaries. But events
clearly indicated that the power was gradual
" slipping from their grasp Douglas becam'
the inevitable candidate for the democracy
and his election was to be defeated at all haz
ards. The disruption of the democratic part,