The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-17
THE FLOYD BANQUET.
Interesting Developments OF
Cabinet Movements.
After Dinner Revelations Of tho Elk
Secretary of War,
k>,, he, Aes,

Our Virginia COrrospOndeucc.
RICHMOND, Va, Jaa. IL, 1851.
Complementary Ba~qus to Gov Floyd es-S~reary of War;
bv his Friends IN Riehnond-Htgs fnfe saiug Speech Of
Cos FIoyd-Ine-vssrg ,~szpeme~s 9f CABINET Ao~
nsnts Relative to South Carolina, do.
Gov Floyd ex Secretary OF War, entertained by
his friends the Legislature and many private citizens
70 splendid banquet, At tho Exchange HOTEL last night
As stated in despatch to tho H1AD the entertain
mont given in token ~ the high admiration in which
the course of Gov Floyd held in leaving the Cabinet
after tho promise preserve the quo in South Caro-
lima had been violated
Among those present at tho dinner were the Hon Mr.
Hopkins and Mr. Gilmer, tho two commissioners from
Alabama.
The first regular toast was read BY General A. A. Chap
man. member Of the House Of Delegates, who acted as
President. II reads
The constitution fathers madsm
Tho Hon. James A. Seldom replied to this toast in
speech not very eulogistic Of the constitution
The President gave the next regular tsast:-
guest the Hon John 1y the ho ro sSn Of hs
tappngs of federal pcs respects mothers rights ana
This toast was received with several rounds of applause
followed by three cheers for Gov. Floyd Whom the ap
plause subsided-
Governor FLOYD arose and sad:-Mr President aud gen
tleuen- had all the wealth Of language that belonged
TO the weathiest Of all in language, would still
lack words express to you my gratitude for the honor
ysu have conferred upos me tonight II is
something OF q consolation to me, after all /
have suffered aud gone through since sepa-
rated from you in this very building some
four years ago met by such manifestations OF kind
appreciation as you display here tonight is indeed,
source of the profound pleasure to to be thus
honored the discharge Of responsible duties rendered
OF late peculiarly delicate and embarrassing; but on
deavored to discharge them to the best Of my ability,
prompted alone solemn Of what was due to the
country and due TO myself Forgive me, gentlemen II
handle little awkwardly weapon that was familiar to
me once, for must say to you that have not opened
my mouth before public assembly since four ago
met many of the Of Virginia here, ami engaged
with them in hearty congratulations upon the happy
termination Of the conflict which had then passed
through Four years ago. at the electoral dinner In this
house. congratulated ourselves upon the result OF the
great battle through which had passed If there was
lurking sentiment in the bosom Of some that all was not
quito wen it should be-f the demon came
up in spite Of us, and intmated that the triumph
achieved not triumph Of the majority, but tri-
umph Of the mnoriiy-hat II solved no great principle
that alone quietng Of the oonfederacy for the
moment-sti there general feeling OF triumph and
an abiding hope In the minds of the people that IN the
future all would be well. The issue distinctly made,
and with feeling Of triumph nductcd mo Office
chosen leader He stood upon platform which was do
scrvedy esteemed Of safety OF peace a one OF
salvation Four short years have rolled and how
stands this nght' Where the proofs OF
the triumphS Where the peace that we expected TO
enjoyS Where the safety and where the security that
you had right to count upons Where is the preserva
tion Of tho Law which was hopefully looked for9 Who're
the triumph OF the constitutions Where the pormsncncy
o this Unions Gonea gone gone with last years snow,
and gone forever the history OF mankind such revo-
luton has mover been witnessed for such cause as has
produced this will advert for solitary moment, be-
fore go 10 the toast which has just been
offered the which led to this extraordinary
dton OF things Is there any ground OF complains against
you any subversvo OF the principles upon which
this government Is foundeds What have you done that
is wrongf What constitutional provision have you vo-
latedf What law Of the land have you trampicd under
foot, What wrong have you perpesraeds Not ono not
one How came II 10 pass. s,on, that this conederacy,
this Union whicl, IKE tho gentleman who has just
sokep Ia, and honor for ils purity has been annhi-
Iateis fanatcm religious and moral prejudice, has
In the minds Of Northern brethren and they
have attempted carry into effect through the sstru
mentality the federal government And in what 1t
has resutedn alienation OF feeling between the North
and SOUTH total disregard OF the constitution and laws
Of the country and finally In the dsr ton OF govern
ment the glorious, the most magnificent that
the world ever saw A short time in the history Of
nations. gentlemeD-thrty years only-vhcn had
gray hair my head, but when, like
many you here in the prime Of youth this incident
CURED and IL Insignificant newspaper made
its appearance called the Lbd,or and the Governor OF
Virginia that day 10 friend OF his In Boston TO
know something this Ltvraor newspaper. He stated
that the paper here through the Post once
70 teach INSTRUMENTATION and ncite servle insurection
What the Governor Is the meaning Of this How is
Il that the old cradle Of liberty allows this paper TO
iets His friend wrote back and stated 1.-THE paper you
have sent me have carefully examined and immediate
ly made my business to seek It's origin. After long
and tedious search discovered that published BY
an insignificant unknown man aud printed in tho
attic Of house back street OF the city Of Dos
ton. The publisher nobody knows for his whole
concern a small, dirty room containing press worked
by himself week TO throw out the issue which he
prepares for the public. think the Govcrrsr Of Wiz
ginia--the Governor OF that great old Commonwealth
which lod the in the Revolutionary war-nay rest
content that there danger 20 the liberties % virginia
from this sourcen That thirty years ago,
and al that timo this little indication was but
a small cloud in the heavens not bigger than a
mans hand. How " II now II has grown 10 be cloud
that covers the wholoace OF the heavenst has grown
10 be a power that Is striking down the bulwuk OF
constitutional liberty and freedom. That was IL origin
How has II progressed to this colossal proportion IL
went into the churches OF the Lamb Of God and crei
divisions there; and then with impious presumption
said We are wise IN generation, than the God
OF heaven when he gave laws to the children OF Isr,c
We say that slavery a curse, aud that damnaion win
attend you who live in the country where II exists
They say you cannot ct down at the table a the Lord
that given the covenant for mans salvation. But
wLy 10 dwe. upon this subject II quite familiar
70 Won as II n and Is therefore unnecessary that
should dwell any longer upon II. What institution IN
the country has this fapatcsm not set upon and de
stroy e9 II nvadcd every fundamental right which
we hold dear has finally culmnated In the destruc
this great and glorious Union What Is this which
they relgiousy regard a cnrse5 God IN his command
ments wrote with HIS fingers upon Mount Sinai,
thou shall, thy neighbours saye and those
fanatics viii deal with this subject in a religious
aspect, would have them remember that the lrs
slave catcher in the history of the world angel
God, sent BY God 70 take runaway slaves Degro-and
bring him back 70 hs master applause ana laughter
1t bailowed institution and Ii that in the Prov
lenoo OF God down through the new dspensa
tion TO be preserved and perro,uated in conformity with
rha vi q divine PrONidenrn