Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-02-08
The New Secretary of War-A Chap
ter in his History

a year ago, when General Cass-prievef
ard indignant-lsft Mr.. Buchauans Cabinet
MIR. Attorney General Black was transferred
to the portfolio Of State, and Mr.. Stanton
then absent from Washington, was fixed upor
as Attorney General. The same night he ar
rived at late hour, and lesrred of bis famil,
OF his appointment. Knowing the character
OF the bold bad men then in the nscendancy
OF the Cabinet, he determined at once TO de-
cline; but when, The next day, be announced
his resolution at the White House, the enirea
ties OF the distressed and helpless President
and the arguments of Mr.. Black, prevailed
upon him to accept.
AT the first meeting o. the Cabinet which
be attended, the condition of the seeded
States and the course TO be pursued with the
grrrison at Fort Sumter was discussed, Floyd
and Thompson dwelling upon "the irritation
OF the Southern heart and the folly Of ICON.
tnuine useless garrison to increase the
irritation" No one formally proposed any
course OF action, but the designs of the con.
splrators were plain to the new Attorney
General He went home troubled. He had
Intended, coming in at so late day, to remain
quiet member of the dis,ordant courcil.-
But it was not 10 his nature to sit quiet longer
under such circumstances.
The next meeting was long and stormy
one, Mr.. Holt, feebly seconded by the Presi.
Gent, urging the immediate reinforcement of
Sumter, while Thompson, Floyd and Thomas
contended that quasi-treaty had been made
by the officers of the Government with the
leaders OF the rebellion, to offer no resistance
TO their violations Of law and seizure Of Gov
eminent property. Floyd especially biazed
with indignation OF what he termed the "vio
latlon OF honor" AT last Mr. Thompson
moved that an imperative order be issned to
Major AnderSom TO retire from Sumter to
Fort Notwithstanding Sumter TO the
enemy, and proceeding to a post where be
must at once surrender
Stanton could sit still no longer. and rising,
be said with oil the earnestness that could be
expressed in his bold aud resolute features.
Mr.. President it is NY duty. as your legal
adviser, to say that you have no right to give
up the property Of the Government. or aban.
don the soldiers of the United States to its
enemies; and the course proposed by the
secretary OF the Interior, if followed, is trea.
son, and will involve you and oil concerned in
treason" Snch language had never before
been heard in Buchanan's Cabinet, and the
men who had 30 long ruled and bulled the
President. were surprised and euraeed TO be
thus rebnked. Floyd and Thomas sprang to
their feet with fierce and menacing gestures.
seeming about to assau, Stanton Mr.. Holt
took step forward to the side of the A ttor.
ney General. The imbecile President implored
them piteousiy to take their seats. After
a few more bitter words the meeting broke
up This WAS the last Cabinet meeting on
that exciting question in which Floyd partic.
lpated. Before another was called Washing.
ton was startled with rumor Of those ciean.
tic franGs which have made his name so
At first he tried to brszen il out
With his customary clustering manner: bnt
the next day the Cabinet waited long for his
At last be came ; the door
opened, bit resignation was thrust into the
room, and Floyd disappeared from Washing
ton Such was the end of Floyd and the
beginning of Stanton.