Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-29
Secretary Floyd alta Banquet.

John d. Floyd ex Secretary Of War, was
entertained at a banquet in Richmond on
INC Ilth INST, and made long speech, in
the course Of which he said
'Mr. Attorney Black said we must exc
cute tue laws. L said. MIR. Floyd could not
quite bow to that. Mr. Buchanan said
This question Of the forts is a question of
property agreed to that. | said more.
said i am your Secretary, and have in
my hands this property Of the forts, will
turn over to my successor that property
lnviol"te. | know these people Of South
Carolina; went to school among them |
know they are not thieves. Isaac Hayne
Manigaut, and Frank Pickens are good
men-they are great men-and will hack
their honesty and integrity with nv blood
But cannot consent that you place amuno
them military power that would choke
them to the ground At a SUBSEQUENT
interview with the President, lie said m
me, Mr.. Floyd, what about sendipo re-
cruits to Charleston? | said. .Notbing
about sending recruits Don't Won intend
90 strengthen the forts at Charleston p bn
Asked. l replied. i do not Said he. i
would rather be at the bottom of the Poto-
mac to morrow than that these forts shopld
be IN the hands Uf those who intend IN toLo
them IL will destroy met will ever
your name-wEich is an honored one
with intamy, for you will never be able ,o
show that You had not some compIiritv i,
it said, Mr.. President trust me-tIars
Is no danger. will stake NV reputati,n
and will stake my life, that the f5r,s at
Charleston will not he touched | said
this because felt it. The President then
said, But. Mr.. Floyd, does that secure the
tortsF No, Sir said |, but it is the best
GUARANTY can give you that they will not
DO touched He reulied, i am not salts
ned Said /, 1t is yours to command and
you will be obeyed You can strengthen
the forts, but it vii. lead % the etfuson Of
blood. You gan, however, put an orderly
sergeant theTe-a man with, "a wort d epau
lette and IA stripe on his pantaloons. lie
is a representative man laughterl, the
representative of the stars and stripes, and
OF Han Cnlumbie," and Yankee DJndle."
He can stand there and SO proclaim him
self, and his authority will be respected
Why not submit to Congress the questions
Of secession Of South Carolina Congress
may say State has right to withdraw or
may, say we re?udiate the right Of seces
sion-we will send down our armies TO CO.
cree YOU to submission. Do this and | will
await the issue Mr.. Floyd then proceed
ed to state that he called to his aid .Jeffer
son Davis, that bright Saladin of the
South Mason and Hunter, with other
patriots. Northern as well as southern and
talked with the President. He then said
Il am content with your pOlicy-we will
send no more troops to the barber of
Charleston 1t delighted me, and | now
thought the question capable Of peaceful
solution. Mr.. Floyd next spoke Of Gen.
Cass, to whom he paid glowing tribute.
Gen. Cass SAID, These forts must be
strengthened. demand IT. This, gentle.
men. is the Northern sentiment. The
President rsPiied, Il am sorry to differ from
the Sesretaiy 81 the State, but the interests
Of the country d. not demand reinforce
ment of the forts at Charleston. | cannot
do it. | take the Responsibilities The
next day Gen. Cnss resigned. Thus mat
tiers stood. when there was proposition to
send for Gen. Scott.