New-York tribune., 1868-02-20

who knew him. In every situation which he bad held as
frank, bold honest, and intelligent msu and patriot
In the true sense Of the term He had doubt his col
league could take the oath with as much truth could
the Senators from Michigan (Mr. Howard California
CMr Conness). To repeat the charge Of Howard In
regard to completely Of Mr.. Thomas with Cobb and
Thompson and Floyd recalled TO notice claim Of 800 900
or by De Groat for bricks furnished the Gov
ernment in this city, in regard TO which Mr. Buchanan
called for readustment Of the by the Secretary
Of War Floyd the work having been under his charge
Floyd pretended to readust it, and drew his warrant
Mr. Thomas, then Secretary Of the Treasury for sl0e
which he claimed to be the due the contractor. 1t
was rumOred that Floyd interested in the claim
and Mr. Thomas refused TO sign It. whereuPon Floy1
wrote him q letter, which the Clerk rssd at tn
the payment of the amount and thus being saved frrthe
annoyance on the subject Mr. Thomas then having read
an editorial article In THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE charg
W sanction it. and told Floyd to bs that the account
cused by senators of dshonesty this too. though
charged that bs had not faithfully accounted iof
dollar Of public money while In tue treasury flu
0Hs be had left it as he went ma poor menthfs too
though with power to transfer AL the funds under his
charge to the h nS sf e. ' Sst on them se
ing toward Secession $4,000 to EewYork to meet the
wants Of the Government there 70 'ae time Shen %sord
him utter word against the Government Of his country
Mr. johnson quoted from MI Lncolns Inaugural tns
YOU addressed TO the South and asked whether those
who claimed that fragrant existed at that time knew
better than their hOnored President who had sought 10
avert it dire calamity He said that at the close OF
the war the widespread desOlatioD showed why MI
Lincoln and every man OF generous heart looked upon
civil n dire calamity, and strove 10 avert 1t by
any consistent with duty. Gentlemen might now
say that the result from the hrst was certain he h
JOhnsOn remembered when he and Others present ttn
bled for the result and with what sOcitude they OOkel
for the action OF England and France not from unnany
fear but because under certain circumstances the Union
might have been dissolved and but for the humane
character and good disposition toward the United States
a
her Government should do nothing to lead TO the over
throw Of this Government no could tell what might
have happened He had feared the result but dread
cd the state Of things that must follow N necesstatng
the North President LncOlRs Inaugural had been
construed By to announce war policy by Others
policy Of peace. SIR Johnson quoted resolution oneea
by M Douglas March 49, 1861, nquiring INTO the eondl
ton Of pOrs South at that time, and whether II was ad
ysable Tor the the Administration to Iea9 or repessess
man. NT. Cameron, who was certainly byal as eeere-
tary OF Wal when Capt buchanan RESIGNED ms position
ton. Even Cen Lee was permitted to resign WITHOUT
question by that Secretary. n,
the remark apply TO Quartermaster Robert Johnston
that 1t bad been reported then that he was about 10
and he r Cameron sent for him and told HIN that the
story unfounded, and desired him 70 commune put
had taken steps from which he could not recede
Mr. JOHNSON informed the senator OIL hs IN isapgre- ,
henson and saId that he had always hed that t gehse
Nj MI HeJ eCJAMFRoN admitted the mistake but said
a. I0HNsON returned that the Legislature o. Mary
lard never did any HARM while Gen Lee did an Immense
deal and that he did not know OF single instance III
whi5h arrest for dssloyaity to the Government was
Mr. CAMERON rose to explain the circumstances Of
Gen Lees detection and said that he had been informed
Dy gentlemen in whom he had confidence that Gen
Lee having received intimaton that h1 might have
command the Federal army had assured HIM OF his
entire loyalty and devotion TO the country He Cameron
a acott IN ID
Il. the head army and the place officially offered
% Gen Lee, but he went down TO Virginia on the false
1retense Of seeing his family and never came bach lie
CaIperon would have arrested Gen Lee II be had had
hance but had suspected that ho would act per
idOusly.
Mr JOHNSON asked whether tAe Senator spoke Of his
,w,n knowledge or from information by third persOni
Mr.. CAMERON had learned II from gentleman IN
NJ JOHNsON doubted - truth. LAIanghl Geutlemen
night laugh but he would inform the individunl VINO IN
luged In merrisent Mr. C0nness that Lev was as henor
ble any man TO be found IN the state OF Oaii
MT coSNEss 6ldnot doubt that thatwas the Senator'S
opinion; but It wa8 not his.
Mr. JOHNSON was willing to have ths Hmark 80 20
20 10 the country
Mr. JOHNSON then quoted from tbs opinion OF the
eeare war against state by virtue OF any clause IN
ne Constitution, and said that " Mr rhomSs had, AZ
hArged against him ooneurrea IN hr buehahAns Nie"'
e was supported by the Supreme Court ,,,
buchanan ~ contemplate
MIR JOHNSON SAID that the Supreme Court lad rati-
led IT, -
Mr. CONNsSS had reference only 10 the caiD Of hlr
Buchanan tho groUnd Of his refusal To make war He
In she opinion Of the supreme Ccnrt
Mr.. JOHHbON continued, arguing thas establishing
his precedent by excluding Mr. Thomas would lead 70
dangers he impored Senators 20 consider
whether 1t night not return TO plague the inventor and
o avoid anything tending 70 the present demoFAlzng
ondon OF things burather to let bygones be byRones,
md 10 take by the hand where they could do II without
ola,ing their conviction Of duty, those who differed
The resolution TO admit Mr. Thomas was then voted
A. 4 all