The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-02-15
Genrml Mlisftllanu.

From the y. Y. Times
The Great tCOnspiracy.-Wha hat are its Plans
and Purposes
For three months events of startling mag
nitude have SO closely followed, one upon the
heels Of another, that our whole time has
hardly sufficed for their record. We have
been too much entranced oy the phenomena
to study their origin or law. Astounding
robberies and deialca;ions the most shame
less abandonment of public trusts; the
treachery Of civil and military officers the
surrender of the forts, armaments and NUM-
tons Of war of one-half the confederacy 5;
the disarming of one portion of it to arm
the other the conspiracy in the cabinet to
destroy the government. in which the facile
Buchanan has been so much involved as to
completely demoralize the man, and destroy
all ability for prompt and independent action
events and developments so unforeseen and
incredible, have occurred with such rapidity.
that we could only regard them with mute
wonder.
All these things, disjointed and unconnect-
ed as they seemed, were entirely consistent
with each other, and were harmonious parts
of a wel!-designed plan, of which We at the
North have been the quiet ana unsuSpectinS
dupes. 1t is perfectly we'll known by those
who have given attention to the subject, that
for years there has been settled determina-
ton in the Gulf states to break up the Tn
ion. from which they were thoroughly es-
tranged. The ulte:ior object was the torma-
ton of grand Slave Empire, to embrace
the islands in the Gulf OF Mexico and the
territories facing it. This plan has long been
the absorbing idea at the South. For a time
its success seemed probable under the aus
pices Of Walker, but he failed from the de-
tective qualities in his own character At
one time Gen Quitman was near heading a
foray upon Cuba. The failure of the feeble
expeditions sent out both to Cuba and Cen
tral America, served only to excite and con-
so!idate the sentiment on which they were
based, and to turn attention in another dircc-
ton. from which adequate means might be
obtained for expeditions fitted out on Il much
more imposing scale. The first step of the
conspiratorS, consequently, Was to seize upon
our own government. and either compel it to
abet their ends, or to punder it to an extent
that would disarm the Northern,and arm TIE
Southern states, and supply all the means not
only for defensive, but aggressive warfare
The election Of the feeble and compliant
Pierce was the stepping to their en-
trance to power, which was fully secured to
them by the appointment of MIR Jefferson
Davis. who for lifetime had been a deter
mined GisuniOEi>t. as secretary OF war 1hls
gentleman was the mastcr-Spirit Of the ad-
mini>tration. as he is now OF the present St
cesSion movement. The composition Of NJ
pierct's cabinet did not suffer the cons p:ra-
tors to 90 any turthar than to mature thor
plans.
The election of Mr. Buchanan followed,and
we now know that his nomination was effect
cd upon the express assurance Of cO-opera-
ton and sympathy with the extreme South
ern sentiment. Cobb became secretary OF
the treasury. Floyd secretary Of war. and
Thompson Of the interior. Everything Il:
the government was arranged 10 suit their
designs. The president WAS a supple tool in
their hands. SO were the other secretaries
But events clearly indicated that the power
was gradually slipping from their grasp
Douglas became the inevitable candidate toi
the democracy. and his election vas to be de-
feated at all hazards. The disruption of tie
democratic party was to follow, and with
il the secession of the Southern states
and the Inauguration of the aew empire
The emergency of the cri>i, demanded cncr
getic action The leadership was assignee
hv general consent to Mr. Davis. who by viz
tue of his chairmanship of the senate com
mi,tee on Military Affairs possessed Srca
power and Il thorough acquaintance with a
the military men and dcttnces ofthe counuv
With an impudence which. from It's daring
loses much of its haSCntsS, The hea'!Quartcr
of the insurgents were transferred to u Is
Point. at which Mr Davis spent the Summc
months as chairman Of committee Of eX
animation of that post. In pursuance of th'
program laid down, Mr. Fioyd commence,
the transfer of arms and munitions from
North to South. which were placed in expos
ed positions where they could be readily selz
ed. The forts we're rurposely left ungarrl
soned and dctencele>s. To supply suc! mean
as the official relations of Mr. Floyd did no
allow him to steal. he commenced the ISSUE
on a vast scale, Of his acceptanceS, nominal!
to contractors for transporting OF governmel
stores, which, being supposed to he obliss
tons Of government, were eagerly purchase
in the Northern stalcS where capital was 4
bundant. In this way the military chest OF
the new confederacy was to be, and has beer
to a considerable extent. supplied.
An equally important step was thorougI
manipulation Of the army, the officers OF
which were SO disposed, that in all case
where it was possible, conttdcratcs and tool
Of the secessionists were placed at point
where they could readily join them, and {;
the appointed signal deliver over the fort
and magazines in their charge. Such officer
as were known to be loyal were CAREFUL
withdrawn from the places to be seized. 1
others in the secret, furlou.hs were glvel
which have been spent in the Southern state
in drilling bands Of insurgents, or in visit
to Europe to purchase arms, the first shil
ment of which, iii riHed camon. has just bee
received at Charleston. Near the close o
the session Mr. Davis succeeded in getting
bill through Congress, torbidding the secr
tary of war to purchase p0tented arms, ti
object being to leave government without
supply of the most approved weapons. l
Mr. Cobb was assigned the role of destroyin
the means of supporting government, t
breaking down its credit, ard leaving it pov
erless when the outbreak should occur. y
ThompSons duties were various. He was
manipulate the members Of the new conted
: racy, and leave the property in his depar
ment, where it could be stolen by his old a
s sociates and friends. The whole line of So
thern ports were left in such a condition ;
. would allow them to fall all easy prey to II