Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-03-07
THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR--A
CHAPTER Nv HIS HISTORY.

A yssr ago. when Gen. Cass- grieTsd and
in4igasni-lefs n Mr. BacbsnsD's Cabinet, Mr..
Attornsy General Back Was transferred 10
the portfolio os State, and slr. Stanton, then
asssat from Washington, Hss fzed uPon Is
Attorney General TIE same nigat he arrived
st late hour, ead learned Of hiA family Of bis
appointment KRoFing he character Of tks
bold, bad men then 10 the aseeE6sucy OF the
Cabinet, hs determined at ones to dselinei bai
when, the next day, be sanonusea his resolg-
fion at the White House, the treaties Of the
distressed snd helpless President, and the ar
gunsnts Of aF. Black, prevailed uPOa bis to
accept
at she hrst meeting Of sbs Cabinst sbieh
be attended, the condition Of the sc eeded States
and the course 70 be pursued with the garrison
at Fort Sumter vas discussed, Floyd and Tt5mp-
sos dwelling upon 'sthe irritation Of the South
cru heart and the folly of s'coBtiouing USE
less garrison to increase the irritation" No
one forDally proposed any course Of action,
but the designs Of the consriratOrs we're plain
TO the new Attorney General. He went home
troubled. He had intebded, coming il at 20
sate day, TO remain quist member of the
dlseoreant council. But il was lot in bis
nafare 20 az quiet longer, Hadsr saob utter
snces.
The next meeting was long and stormy
one, Mr. Holt, fscbly seconded by the Presi-
dent. urging the immediate reinforcement of
samter, while Thompson, Floyd and Thomas
contsnded that qussi-tfsaty had been made
b. the ofEesrs of the Government With the lea
ders Of the rebellion, to offer no resistance 10
ftarr - = r. n
ment property. Floyd especially blazsi With
indignation a. What be teElned she ssTiolation ef
honor" at last Mr. Thompson formally nov
ed that sn Imperative order Be issned 70 Ma.
i0r Anderson 10 retire from Sumter % Fort
abandoning Sumter 10 the enemy,
and proceeding 20 post EhsEe be must At eBce
surrender.
Stanton coald sit still no longer, and rising,
be aRid, with all the earnestnese that could be
expressed in bis bold aud resoIute features,
''Mr. President, il is ny duty, q your legal
adviser. to say that you have no right 20 give
up the property Of the GoserDmanf or absn-
don the soldiers Of the United States TO ita
enemies; and the course proposed by the See-
retsry Of the Interior, If followed Is fye1Soa,
snd will Involve yen and all concerned in frea-
son." Such language had never before been
heAra in BuChanan's Cabinet, and the men who
bad 50 long ruled and buliisd the President,
we're surprised and earagad to be thus rsbuk-
ed. Floyd and Thompson sprang to their fees
With hsrce, menacing gestures, seeming shout
to assault Stanton. Mr. Holt took o step for
ward to the side Of ths Aaoreey 6eueTsl.-
Ihs imDeeila President imploTsd them pifsous-
ly 70 take I5eir seafs. After few more bii-
ter wordg the meeting broke NJ. That vas
ans last Cabinet msetiDg on that exciting quss-
tsen 10 which Floyd participated. Before an
other was called all Washington was startled
with ruuor Of thoss gigsntio frauds vhich
haFe made his name SO infamous. At 6-st he
tried 60 brsEs0 Is cut with his cust0msry blus-
ssriug maaner; szs tie next dsy tbe Cabinet
waited long Tor his appearance. At last he
csteei the door opened, his resignssicn was
thrust trto ths room, and floyd disappeared
frcm Wsshington. Soch vAs tie end of Flcyd
snd sts bsg'usipg as Stsnton