National Republican., 1881-09-05
TRUE TO THE UNION.
JUDGE HoLr,s INTERESTING TALK.
The Stirring Times Of buchanan, Cassi
Black, and scott-The Break Up OF the
Cabinet In IsGi-The Loyalty OF
the Cabinet Then.

Ex Judke Advocate General Joseph
Holt, OF Kentucky, who was member OF Buchan-
ans Cabinet when the war broke out, has been
interviewed by the Philadelphia Prcss reporter on
the stirring scenes in the Cabinet at the outbreak
ofthe war, lie says: / wish distinctly to say that
believe Mr. Buchanan was in al respects and at
all times true 10 the Union. He believed, and 80
did !. that war during his administration. espe-
cially five began II, would result in the desruc-
tion ofthe union for the reasons have given you.
II was the cannon ball on and not from Sumter that
saved the Union. II his policy 10 preserve the
peace If possible and hand over the Government
intact 70 his successor. Mr.. Stanton, Judge Black,
ana myself differed at times with him as TO the
bust way TO do this, but we were agreed that II
must be done. Buchanan was man of great
Kindness aud would listen with great patience 10
all the suggestions of his Cabinet officers He had
sons Of the inflrmi,ies ofage but was o true man,
who loved his country and did the best he could
, under the circumstances to preserve IL. lnever
had doubt but that at come time Justice would be
done hun and his administration. II could not be
done ia the heat Of war which followed 1t. Any
mans word in It's behalf, no matter how promi-
nent us LOYALTY, would not have been accepted or
his motives understood"
"Ds you call TO mind when General Cass len tho
CabinetY'
VERY distinctly. visited him after knew Of
his discrimination. and reasoned with him against
his net. He said Holt you are Southern man
and represent very different constituency from
| nine You can stay, but I cannot, for the senti-
ment ofmy section will not sustain me- 1reasoned
| that II was the duty Of every mnn who was loynl
to the Union to stay and do his best 10 save the
| Union"
"I see somo Of the critics Of Judge Blaeksrecent
statements censuro him for not leaving the Cabi-
| net when General Coss went and wanted him 10 so
| tooT'
"That is one thing he oughtto be commended
| for IL seems TO me that II was much more manly
to stay and try to stem the current than for him to
have deserted hi, post and allowed some other
| man, who possibly entertained opposite views tc
| come in. Judge Black is entitled to respect fol
having remained at his post and for Joining with
| the loyal sentiment In Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet In
| doing the best things possible under the circum
stances to save the country have seen an ex'
| tract or comment upon what Judge Black said tt
you about General Scott which l cannot under.
stand. Did he say that he thought General Scot
was disloyal2
"No, sir; he said nothing TO me justifying any
| such construction. Whatever he did say abou
General Scott was simply an incident OF the sub
ject under discussion and he distinctly discaimet
rejecting upon General SCOTS loyalty"
al am very glad to hear that," said Judge Holt
for think any reflection upon General Scott
fidelity to the Union would be unjust. 1 think h'
often felt that he was not given quite enough lat
tude ir dealing with the military part of the con
troyersy then going on. and this may at times hay'
led TO some expression which was not entirel,
understood. / heard OF an expression he is sai'
to have made during that time which. If true
equali anything ever recorded In Grecian o
Roman history He was Virgninn, you know
and the story goes that one day party Of Virgin
ians came to advise with him as to his futur
course, for they seemed TO expect something O
mini. They had not proceeded far when 1t is re
portrd that the old soldier fired upand said Stop
The question of my loyalty to the flag of my coun
try is one which l permit no man to discuss wit
me-"
Afler the long talk, and as was taking leaye {
the distinguished man, he said to me: "I hav
never before spoken upon these subjects, and
/ have great reluctance In doing So You rathe
started the conversation by reciting the history
law case In which was interested and by finall
asking me to give you some evidence upon whio
q new trial Of great cause might be had hefof
the public. i'll have contributed anything to tn
, history of those times am glad, notwithstandin
1t breaks into granary filled with matters abor
which have never talked before and hesita'
now to speak of, because do dislike any personi
I reference to myself, and adjure you If you nj
the facts have given to bear in mind my reluc
ance to speak for the public upon these subjects