The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-02-09


any party and persona. humiliation. Blu
they we're sparned BY the Disunionist.
They preferred to plunge the country into
revolution; and they have done it. l. only
remains for rs nov TO obey and enforce the
laws and show to the world that this Gov
ernment is strong enough to protect iissil
from rebellion within Is well as from as.
sault without.
The issue now made up for the decision
of the people of this country is betueeu
law, order, the Union and the Constitution,
on the enc hand, and revolution, anarchy.
dissolution and bleodshed on the other.
do not doubt as to the side you and the
people of Iowa will occupy in this contest.
am very truly
Your obed,ent servant
JAMES W GRIMES.
HoS. SAxrEL ]. K,KKkoop, Cor. Of Lord.
SECRETARY FLoYD.s CONFESSION OF
TREASON.
At the treason banquet at Richmond,
given in honor of his service to destroy the
FLorp made a speech, and
among other Interesting revelations, he d.
vulged the following:
"As good luck would have it, happened
to be called to the Cabinet and placed at
the head Of the War Department. labor
ed there to understand the power Of the
position and its responsibilities. soon
found tha, it was full Of significance, that
it was an armed power fer good, and armed
with immense power for evil. Whilst your
men were aspiring to the Presidency, and
whilst was the subject Of vituperation and
abuse which never answered, undertook
SO TO dispose Of the porcef in my hands that
when the terrific hour came, you, and all OF
: ou, and each Of you, should say this man
has do:e his duty" loud applause
Here is an open, anreserrea confession OF
treason while Secretary Of War.
Another short extrac. from the same
speech will be instructive:
One day the President said to me, "Mr.
Floyd, are you going to send recruits to
Charleston to strengthen the forts? What
about sending reinferccments to Charles
ton?" was taken very much by surprise
to find the Presiden, making this inquiry,
to my mind, a change of policy
on his part. said, "Mr. President, have
no intention to send recruits to Charleston -
Don't you," said he, "intend to strength
en- the forts at Charleston?' 81 do not in
tend to strengthen the forts at Charleston"
Tremendous applause. Says he, "Mr.
Floyd, | would rather be in the bottom Of
the Potomac tomorrow than that these
forts in Charleston should fall into the
hands Of those who intend to take them. 1t
will destroy me SIR" And said he, F." Mr..
Floyd, if that thing occurs, it will cover
your name with an infamy that all time
can never elface, because it is in vain tha,
you will attempt to show that you have no,
some completely in handing over those fort.
TO those who take them" That is what
the President said to me. What had | to
do, and what had to say? | said, "Mr.
President, there is no danger trust me, sir,
trust me, sir, there is no danger. | will
willingly risk my reputation, whatever tina,
may be- will trust my life-that the forts
at Charleston are safe under the declara-
tons Of the gentlemen Of Charleston that
they cannot be touched" Tremendous ap.
plause. lie said to me, "that is all very
well; but pardon me for asking you, does
that secure the forts?" | said, "No, sir,
but it is guaranty that am in earnest in
the belief that expressed to you, that the
forts are secure" Said he, 81 am not sat
.sGed.o ! said, IL am sorry for it. Now,
sir, it is for you to order; you are the Pres
ident and can orde-. You can say to this
man, "come, and he cometh; go,and he
goeth you have right to order that these
forts shall be strengthened"
stood there, gentlemen, can't Say how
unp'f uith hot Innhtso ii
never declare with what fears and with what
trepidity-with what pain and with wha,
suspense stood there, wanted help, and
| called for help. called for help from
the blessed old mother that gave me
birth. | called for help from the bright
Saladdin Of the South, jeff Davis, of Miss
issippi-[appiausel-an said come to my
rescue-the battle is a little more than my
weak heart can support--comc to me, and
he came. Then came that old .jovial look
ing, noble hearted representative from Vir-
ginia-James NJ. Mason. [Applause.l Here
came that anomaly of modern times, the
youthful Nestor-here came Hunter
Applause. From the North, the South,
the East and the West, there came up the
patriots of the country, (raitors), and they
talked with the President of the United
States, and they, quieted his fears, and as
sured him in the line Of duty. They sald,
let there be no force, and there was no
force and the President said to me, am
content nth your policy; and then it was
that we determined that We would send no
more troops to the harbor in Charleston.
(Applausel So it went on, and, gentlemen,
for the first time in three aud ee-quarte T
years-dreary years, dreary years--l had u
real sentiment, an agreeable thrill Of happi-
ness.
Here we hare from the lips Of this per-
jured traitor, the means and arguments
emplpyed to overcome the resolution Of the
poor, weak, Old Public Funcsionary. Tn.
he boasts before his naudlin
companions how he overreached the Presi-
dent, and left the Government defenses Of
unprotected, and how he gave
aid and comfort to the open enemies Of the
Union. Does not this wretch deserve o
felon's fate? Iii lard to believe tha. he
will be allowed to escape the punishment
due his self-confessei crimes against bis
country, and permitted to die in bis bed.
One more extract from these revelations
may be sdifying to th. people Of the West !:
This brings me to point that | feel un-
speakable pain in telling. The Secretary
of State, General Cas-, wise man, grea,
m an, tha. we all once took delight in hon.
oring-he differed ir the policy, aud said
this viii never do; these forts must be
strengthened. Gentlemen, it is Northern
sentiment. Let me issist that you remem.
Der the remark there 10 significance in it
beyond What General Cass eaid--it is q
Northern sentiment. Il is the conviction OF
our brethren at the North. He said there
must be force. The Presiden, said to him
10 reply. in the eouneil chamber, al have