Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-02-05
An Interesting Chapter in the History Of the New
Secretary Of Var.
rFrOm the St. Louis Republican, Jan %. ]


From the St. Louis Republican, Jan 2O.1
In the removal of Mr.. Cameron and the
appointment Of Mr.. Stanton, we not only
derive satisfaction from the fact that con
sentative statesman has taken the place Of
one who divided his efforts between Penn
sylvania contractors ana Massachusetts
abolitionists, but we believe the new Secre-
tary Of War possesses a happy combination
Of those personal qualities now more than
ever demanded for his position-boldness,
energy and integrity. Those who have
met him at the bar, either at Washington,
in his own State, or during his memorable
year as government counsel in California,
are well aware Of his yigor aud ability in
trying a cause, his capacity for labor, and
his prompt and energetic manner of adj
dressing the court upon every question as
itarises. The circumstances attending his
entry upon his short period Of service in
the Cabinet of the last administration illus
tratiye of his character.
A year ago, when Gen. Cass-glieyed
and iDdignant-left Mr. Buchanan's Cabi-
net, Mr.. Attorney General Black was trans
ferred to the portfolio Of State, and Mr..
Stanton, then absent from Washington,
was fixed upon as Attorney General. The
same night he arrived at a late hour, and
learned from his family of his appointment.
Knowing the character of the bold bad
men in the ascendency in the Cabinet, be
determined at once to decline; but when,
the next day, be announced his resolution
at the White House, the entreaties of the
distressed and helpless President, and the
arguments of Mr.. Black, prevailed upon
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 was discussed,
Floyd and Thompson dwelling upon "the
irritation OF the Southern heart" and the
folly of continuing useless garrison to
increase the irritation" No one formally
proposed any course Of action, but the de-
signs of the conspirators We're plain to the
new Attorney General. He went home
troubled. He had intended, coming in at
so late a day, to remain quiet member Of
this liscordant council. But it was not in
bis nature TO sit quiet longer under such
utterances.
The next meeting was long and stormy
one, Mr.. Holt, feebly seconded by the Pres
ident, urging the immediate reinforcement
Of Sumter, while Thompson, Floyd and
Thomas contended that a quasi-treaty had
been made by the officers of the govern
ment with the leaders Of the rebellion, to
offer no resistance to their violations Of law
and seizures of government property.
Floyd especially blazed with Indignation at
what he termed the ssyiolation of honor
AT last Mr.. Thompson formally moved that
an imperative order be issued to Major An
derson to retire from Sumter to TT. Moul-
trie-abandoning Sumter to the enemy,
and proceeding to post where he must at
once surrender.
Stanton could sit still no longer, and, MS
inc, be said, with all the earnestness that
could be expressed in his bold and resolute
features, "Mr. President, it is my duty as
your legal adviser, to say that you nave no
right to give up the property Of the gov
crnment, or abandon the soldiers OF the
United States to its enemies; and the
course proposed by the S 5 ts.ry Of the In
terror, if followed, is treason, and will IN
yolye you and all concerned in treason.
Such language had never before been heard
I In Buchanan's Cabinet, and the men who
had so long ruled and bullied the President
were surprised and enraged to be thus re-
buked. Floyd and Thompson sprang to
their feet with fierce, menacing gestures,
seeming about to assault Stanton.
Mr.. Holt took step forward to the side
Of the Acknowledgement. The imbeclle
President implored them piteously TO take
their seats. After few more bitter words
the meeting broke up. That was the last
Cabinet meeting on that exciting question
! in which Floyd participated. Before an
other was called, all Washington was star
tied with a rumor Of those gigantic frauds
which have made bis name so infamous.
| AT first he tried to brazen IT out with MS
customary clustering manner; but the next
day thu Cabinet waited long for his APP
pearance. At last he came; the door
opened, bis resignation was thrust into The
room, and Floyd disappeared from Wash.
ington. Such was the end Of Floyd and
the beginning Of Stanton.
! All Warrentown and Centeryille split
leather boots sell from $l2 to SIS pain