The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-12-04

friends, in a political speech during
highly exciting gubernatoriai canvass, had
Influenced him to prepare his criticism on
nay conduct, it is not for me to determine
At what period did Gen. Scott obtain
the six hundred recruits to which he re-
lers in his rejoinder? This was certainly
after the date Of his "views," on the S0th
October, 1860; because in these he states
emphatically that the forces then at his
command were in all FIVE companies only
within reach to garrison or reinforce the
[ninel forts mentioned in the ''views"
DID he obtain these recruits in Noyem-
Der IF so, had he visited Washington
or written aud explained to me in what
manner this military operation could be
accomplished by the four hundred men in
the five companies and the six hundred
recruits, should have given his repre-
sentations all the consideration eminently
due his high military reputation.
But lie Informs us he did not arrive in
Washington until The 18th Of December
His second recommendation to garrison
these forts must consequently have been
made, according to his own statement, on
the 18th, 18th, 28th, Or 39tH Of Decem-
beI, or on more than one Of these days.
At this period the aspect of public affairs
had greatly changed from what it was il
October. Congress was uoW In session,
and our relations with the Seeding Cot
ton States had been placed before them
by the Presidents message. Proceedings
had been instituted by that body with
view to 2 compromise Of the dangerous
questions between the North aud the
South and the highest hopes and warm
est aspirations were then entertained for
their success. Under these circumstances
it was the Presidents duty to take broad
vreY Of the condition Of the whole coun-
try, in all It's relations, civil. industrial,
aud commercial, as well as military, Civ
ing to each Its appropriate Influence. 1t
was only from such a com bination shat he
could frame g policy calculated 10. pre-
serve the peace and to consolidate the
strength OF tie Union. Isolated recon
meudations proceeding from one depart
meut, without weighing well their effect
upon the general policy, ought to be adop-
ted with extreme caution.
But it seems from the reioinder that
Secretary Floyd, at Richmond, had claimed
the honor Of defeating General Scotts
plans and solicitations respecting the
forts, at being there" says the General,
universally admitted that bat for that
victory over me there could have been no
rebellion" This is, in plain English,
that the secessionists OF the cotton States
who have since brought into the field
hundreds of thousands of undoubtedly
brave soldiers, woa!d have abandoned in
terror their unlawful aud rebeliious de-
signs, had Gen. Scott distributed among
their numerous forts four hundred and
eighty men in October, or one thousand
men IN December! This requires 10
comment. | have never been able TO OBJ
tain a copy of the speech Of Mr.. Floyd, at
Richmond, to which presume Gen. Scott
refers but l learned, both at the time and
since, from gentlemen of high respectable
ity, thatia this same speech he denounced
me most bitterly for my determination to
stand by and sustain the Union with all
the power [ possessed under the Constitu-
ton ard the laws
Aud here permit me to remark that 1t
Is due to G--n. Scott as well as myself TO
deny that there is any portion of my an
swer which iustiGes the allegation that
".the ex- President sueers at nay <lgeah de-
yicc' (Jhe words weak device being
marked as a Guotation) for saving the
forts" This mistake I must attribute to
his accidental visitor"
And IN this connection [ emphaticaily
declare that the General, neither before |
nor after the publication of his "views''
in the National Iafciiigeacer of the 18th
January, 1862, without my consent, as /
signed any reason to me for making this
publication, or ever even alluded to the |
subject In this I cannot be mistaken, |
from the deep impression which the oc-
currence made upon my memory, tor tae |
reasons already mentioned in my answer /
| should have nothing more to add had !
Gen. Scott, in his rejoinder, confined him
self TO the topics embraced in his original (
letter. He has extended them, and now
for the FIRST time, aud n sarcastic and .
no kindly spirit, refers to the ALLEGED !
stesIing OF public arms by Secretary Floyd !
and their transportation to the South, in 1
anticipation OF the rebellion. The most |
Conclusive answer to this allegation il I
that, Notwithstanding the boasting of Mr. /!
FLOYD at Richmond, evidently with the 4
view OF conciiiating his new allies, cited |
by the General as his authority, no public T.
arms were ever stolen. This jact is estab /
lished by the report of tho Committee on
Military Affairs OF thc House OF Repre~en-
tatives, now before me, made by Mr..
Stanton OF Ohio, their chairman, on the
18th February, 1861, and to be found iu