Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-01-25
Complimentary Banquet to the Hon. John B.
Eloyd,

a complimentary dinner, which came of
at the Exchange Hotel, in this city, on
on Friday evening, January lllh. 1t was
al occasion 4f great intercs, to all pres
ent.
The banquet commenced at o'clock
and the large company discussed with grea,
great zeal the substantial subjects placed
before them. Gen. A. A. Chapman
OF Monroe. presided-the guest of the
evening. being seated on his right:
Judge Hopkins, one Of the Alabama Com.
n.lss. ners, on his left, and F. NJ. Gimer
Esq, the other Commissioner. next to Gov
Floyd. While the festival was progressing
Gen. Chapman arose and read ,elegraphic
dispatch, announcing that Alabama had
seeded from the Union, which was re-
ceved with tremendous cheers.
At the appropriate period, the Presidsn,
requested the company to come to order
for the purpose of listening to the frs.
toast. He gave:
"7Ac Constitution rs our fathers made
It," Music-Hai CoIumb'a.]
! To this sen,n.ent Hon. Jus. A. Seldom
was invited to respond.
Gen. Chapmom.-Gcntlemen, we have
| met around the festive board to do honor
to noble son Of no sire-one who mas
received honors from the Government, but
WHO has quit his position because he could
no longer hold it, as lie conceived, with
honor for the pledge that had been given
by that Government was violated. l give
you
The Hon. John B. Noyd.-The worthy
spn OF Il noble sire. All honor 10 the Vir
g'nian who spurns the trappings Of a Fed
eral place, respects II mothers rights and
resent" q mothers wrongs. Music aud
three cheers for Gov. Floyd.]
Mr.. Floyd expressed .,s deep sprss of
the honpr conferred upon him. The cir
cums,ances Of the election of Mr.. Buch-
anan were adverted to, as well us his sub
sequent acts as President. IL alluded to
the two pQicies set fortl, in the annual
Message. Mr.: Attorney Black said we
must execute the laws. /, said Mr.. Floyd,
could not bow to that. Mr.. Buchanan
said, this question Of the forts is a oues-
Iio9 of property: agreed to that. l said
more. I said, am yonr Secretary, and
have in my hands the property of the forts:
| will turn over to my successor that prop
erty ipviQlate. | know these people OF
South Carolina. l went to school amongst
them: I know they are mol thieves. Isaac
Hayne, Maniganlt, and Frank Rskeas
are good mep-they- are grsa: men
and will back their honesty and integrity,
if necessary, with my blood. But can
not consent that you place among them a
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 Char
lestonT Said /, Nothing about send
ing recruits" Don't you intend to
strengthen the forts at Charleston 2" he
asked. replied, II do not Said be, &C.
would ratherbe at the bottom Of the Po-
tomac Tomorrow, than that these forts
should be in the hands OF those who in
tend to take them! It will destroy me
it will cover your name, whicl, is an hon
ored one. with infamy, for you will never
be able to show that you had not some
completely in it," said, >" Mr. President
trust me. there is no danger. will stake my
reputation and will stakelny life that the
forts of Charleston will not be touch d.
| said this because felt it. The Presi.
dent then said, But, Mr.. Floyd, does tba,
secure. the forts" No. sir" said I, sbu,
it is the best guarantee can give you tha,
they will not be touched" He replied 81
am not satisfied." Said /, ."It is yours to
command, and you will be obeyed. You
can strengthen the forts, but it Will load 10
the effusion Of blood. You can, however
put an orderly sergeant there-a man with
a worsted epaulette and with stripe o.
his pantaloons. He is representative
man Iaughter)-the representative of the
stars and stripes and Of Hail GoIumbia ant
.|-Hanke Doodle. lie can stand there ant
so proclaim himself, and bis authority vii
bs respected. Mean while. submit to Con
Igsss ,hi. question Of the secession to soutl
HsreliDa. Congress may say State LA,
at to witld.sy, er q may say, wsrspa.
diase sbe righr Of secession I've will send
doMs u & ser arnies! rSj . you TO submls.
lhis. asl riI ewsit ~ Al the IN issue, 2! !,
! Fs,aysds .hers, seleu, With pain. .ans
su.p si l wanted ad;I called fo
1ihelp NSsa Vifgisia, ,iila old .smo.he
II a