Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-01-26
EX Secretary Floyd.

last. Wcmakc the following extracts from
his speech ON the occasion, which will be read
at this time with interest:
He alluded to the two policies set forth in
the annual Message MIR. Attorney Black
said VIC must execute the laws. |, said Mr.
Floyd, could not quito bow to that Mr.
buchanan said, this question of the forts is u
question of property. | agreed to that.
said am your Secretary, and have in my
hand this property of the forts. ! will turn
over to my successor Shot property nvio!tc
know these people of South Carolina
went to school among them. know they are
not thieves Isaac llaync, Munigault and
Frank Pckcns are good mcn-thcy are great
mcn-and will back their honesty and in
tcgrty, if necessary with my blood. But
cannot consent that you place among them
military power that would choke them to the
ground. At subsequent Interview with the
President, he said to me; Mr. Floyd, what
about sending recruits to Charleston p Said
/, Nothing about sending recruits" ~
e" Don't you intend to strengthen the forts at
Charlcston?' he asked, replied +" do not"
Said he. " would rather be at the bottom Of
the Potomac tomorrow, than these forts
should be in the hands of those who intend to
take them 1t will destroy me- it will
cover your name, which isan honcrcd one,
with nfmy for you will never be able to
show that you had not some completely in it,"
said. g. Mr. President, trust me, there is
no danger, will stake my reputation and
will stake my life that the forts of Charleston
will not bc touched" | said this because
felt it. The President then said "''
Mr. Floyd, docs that secure the forts -
" No, sir, said | &" but it is the best guaran,
toe can give you that they will not be
touched He replied, ." | am not satisfied"
Said |. " 1t is yours to command, and you
will be obcycd You can strengthen the
forts, but it will lead to the cfTusion of blood.
You can, however, put an orderly sergeant
thcrc-a man with worScd cpaulctc and
with stripe on his pantaloons. He is a rep
rcscntrtivc man laughter the representa-
tive of the stars and stripes and of Hail Co
lumbia and Yankee Doodle He can stand
there and so proclaim himself, and his author
ity will be respected Meanwhile, submit to
Congress this question of the secession of
South Coaolina. Congress may say state
has right to withdraw, or may say we rcpu-
diatc the right of scccsson-wc will send
down our armies to cocrcc you to submission.
Do this, and I will await the issue"
stayed there, gentlemen, with pain and
suspense wanted help, and | called for
help from Virginia, that good old mother that
gave me birth, and | called upon jeff Davis,
that bright Saaddin of the South TAp,
phusc. They came, Mason and Hunter rrc-
ncwed applause, with the patriots of the
country, North and South, and talked with
the President. He then said, e" am content
with your policy-wc will send no more troops
to the harhor OF Charlrs,on" Then, gentle
men, for the first time in three years, | felt a
sensation of delight in my heart | then
thought the question capable of pcaccable
solution, and though you may not think it
worthy of mention, dcvoutly returned thanks
to Almighty God.
The speaker next alluded to the course of
Gen. Cass, then Secretary of State, whom he
pronounced one of the noDcst specimens of
mankind, whose personal virtues he had never
ceased to revere, after four years association
Gen. Cass said "Thcsc forts must be
strcngthcncd-[ demand it," This, gentle,
men, is the Northern sentiment, and in his
position the Secretary reflected the minds of
his people. And when the President replied
with stern inhcxibility-' have considered
this question: am sorry to differ with the
Secretary of Statc-but the interests of the
county (! not demand reinforcement of the
forts AT Charleston-I cannot do it take
the responsibility - then, gentlemen, my
hopes for the future grew stronger. That is
what he said. The next day this glorous old
premier sent in his resignation. With the
respect | had entertained for four years, |
said, God speed you to your home in the
North. Laughter.
Thus matters Stood when there came
proposition to send for Gen Scott | said