Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-04-12

SECRETARY STANTON. The st. Louis Republican
gives the following chapter in the history of the
new Secretary of War:
A year ago, when Gen. Cass-grievcd aud
ndgnant-left Mr.. Buchanans Cabinet, Mr..
Attorney Dlacl; was transferred to the portfolio
of State and Mr.. Stanton, then absent from
Washington was fixed upon as Attorney General.
The same night he arrived ut Il late hour, and
learned from his family OF his appointment
Knowing the character OF the bold, bad men then
in the ascendency in the Cabinet, he determined
at once to decline but when, the next day, he
announced his resolution Mt the White House, the
entrealies of the distressed and helpless fresi-
dent, and the arguments Of Mr.. Black, prevailed
npon him to accept.
At the first meeting of the Cabinet which he
attended the condition of the seeded States
and the course to be pursued with the garrison
at Fort Sumter were discussed, Floyd and
Thompson dwelling upon " the irritation of the
Southern heart" and the folly OF "contin-
uing useless garrison to increase the irrita.
ton" No one formally proposed any course OF
action but the designs of the conspirators were
plain to the new Attorney General. He went
home troubled. He had intended. coming In at
so late an hour, TO remain quiet member of this
discordant council. But II was not in his nature
to sit quiet longer under such utteranecs.
The next meeting was long and stormy one.
Mr. Holt feebly seconded by the President, urg-
ing the immediate reinforcement of Sumter
while Thompson, and Floyd, aud Thomas, con
tended that a quasi treaty had been made by the
officers of the Government with the leaders Of
the rebellion to offer no resistance to their viola
tions of law aud seizures of Government proper
ty. Floyd especially blazcd with indi ignation Mt
what he termed the violation Of honor" At
last Mr.. Thompson formally moved that an inn
perative order be issued to Major Anderson to
retire from Sumter to Fort Moultrie. abandoning
Sumter to the enemy, and proceeding to post
where he must at once surrender.
Mr.. Stanton could sit still no longer, and.
rising, he said with all the earnestness that could
be expressed in his bold aud resolate features,
" Mr. President, it is my daty as your legal ad-
wiser to say that you have no right to give up
! property of the Government, or abandon the
soldiers of the United States to its enemies aud
the course proposed by the Secretary OF the
Interior If followed, is treason, and will involve
you aud all concerned in treason" Such Ian
guage had never before been heard in Buchanan S
Cabinet, and the men who had so long ruled and
buIied the President were surprised and enraged
to be thus rcbuked. Floyd aud Thompson sprang
to their feet with fierce, menacing gestures, seem
ing about to assault Mr.. Stanton. Mr.. Holt
took a step forward to the side of the Attorney
General. The imbccilc President implorcd them
pteously to take their seats. After few more
bitter words the meeting broke up. That was
the last Cabinet meeting on that exciting ques-
ton in which Floyd participated. Before an
other was called all Washington was startled
with rumor Of those gigantic frauds which
have made his name so infamous. AT first he
tried to brazen it out with his customary buster
ing manner but the next day the Cabinet waited
long for his appearance. AT last he came the
door opened, his resignation was thrust into the
room and Floyd Disappeared from Washington.
Such was the ending Of Floyd and the beginning
OF Stanton