Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-22
The New Secretary of war-A Chapter in
His History.
PUBLISHED DAILY, 81

In the removal of Mr.. Cameron, aud the
appointment of Mr.. Stanton, we not only de-
rive satisfaction from the fact that a con-
servative statesman has taken the place of
one who divided his efforts between Pennsyl-
vania contractors and Massachusetts, Aboli.
tionists, but we believe that the new Secre
tary Of War possesses happy combination
Of those personal qualities now more than
ever demanded for his position-boldness,
energy end integrity. Those who have met
BIN at the bar, either at Washington, in his
own State, or during his memorable year as
Government counsel in California, are we'll
aware of his vigor and ability in trying a
cause, his capacity for labor, aud his prompt
and energetic manner of addressing the
court upon every question as it arises. The
circumstances attending his entry upon his
short period Of service in the Cabinet of the
last Administration are illustrative of his
character.
A year ago, when General Cass-grieved
and indignant-left Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet.
Mr.. Attorney. General Black 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 at q late hour, and learned from
his family of his appointment. Knowing the
character Of the bold, bad men then in the
sscendency in the Cabinet, he determined at
uuOe W uCCiluSi bub Wutu, bu6 UBAJ UdY, ne
announced his resolution at the White House,
the entreaties Of the distressed and helpless
President, and the arguments of Mr.. b lack,
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 were discussed,
Floyd and Thompson dwelling upon "the
irritation of the Southern heart" and the
folly Of continuing useless garrison to in
crease the irritation" No one formally pro-
posed 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 day,
to remain quiet member of this discordant
courcil. But it was not in his nature to sit
quiet longer under such utterauces.
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 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
seizures of Government property. Floyd
especially blszed with indignation at what
he termed the violation Of honor" At last
Mr.. Thompson formally moved that an i'm
perative order be issued to Major Anderson
to retire from Sumter to Fort Moultrie-
abandoning Sumter to the enemy and pro-
ceeding 10 post where he must at once sur
render.
Stanton could sit still no longer, and ris-
ing he said, with all the esrnestness that
could be expressed in his bold and resolute
features: "Mr. President, it is my duty as
your legal adviser to say that you have nc
right to give up the property of the Govern
ment, or abandon the soldiers of the United
States to its enemies; and the course pro.
posed by the Secretary of the Interior, il
followed, is treason, and will involve you
and all concerned in treason" Such Ian
| guage had never before been heard in Blu
| chanan's Cabinet, and the men who had SO
| long ruled and bullied the President, were
surprised and enraged to be thus rebuked
| Floyd and Thompson sprang to their fee
with fierce, menacing gestures, seeming
| about TO assault Stanton. Mr.. Holt took
step forward to the side of the Attorney
| General. The imbecile President imploreC
them piteously to take their seats. After
few more bitter words the meeting broke up
| That was the last Cabinet meeting on tina
exciting question in which Floyd partici
| pated. Before another was called all Wash
ington was startled with a rumor of thos
| gigantic frauds which have made his nam
so infamous. At first he tried to brazen i
out with his customary clustering manner
but the next day the Cabinet waited lonj
for his appearance. At last he came; th
door opened, his resignation was thrust int
the room, and Floyd disappeared from Wash
ipeton, Such was the end of Floyd and tn
beginning Of Stanton.-St. Louis Republican