ing States. How well and how faithfully he discharged his duties can be ascertained by an examination of the history of his stripping and dismantling armories and arsenals throughout the Free States and concentrating the military stores and equipments of the Nation within and about the forts and harbors of the South. From January 1st, 1360, to January 1st, 1861, Floyd had sent South from the Springfield Armory, Massachusetts, 105,000 percussion muskets; from Watertown, New York, 6,000 percussion rifles; and from Watervlit, New York, 4,000 percussion rifles. The Secession Ordinance of South Carolina, of December 20th, 1860, and the belligerent attitude of the South, caused the gallant Major Anderson, on the 26th, to concentrate his forces at Fort Sumter. Floyd made a peremptory order for the transfer of all the heavy guns at Alleghany Arsenal, Pennsylvania. He said: "Send immediately to Ship Island, near Balize, (mouth of the Mississippi) 46 cannon--21 ten-inch columbiads, 21 eightinch columbiads, 4 thirty-two pounders, (iron); and to Galveston, 78 cannon-23 ten-inch columbiads, 48 eight-inch columbiads, 7 thirty-two pounders, (iron.)" Floyd resigned his office on December 29th, 1861, and joined his Southern brethren. Honorable Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, (who has since proven himself one of America's truest patriots) was appointed his successor, and stopped further shipment of arms South. The whole North was rendered defenseless, and the South placed upon a strong military basis for either offensive or defensive operations, as circumstances might demand. Another picked man was the Attorney-General of Buchanan; and for an appreciation of judgment made in his selection, and the Democratic-like manner in which he discharged the duties devolving upon him, the reader is referred to his written opinion to the President upon the subject of the seceding States, where he, like Buchanan, held that there was "no constitutional power in the General Government to coerce a State that had seceded, or was about to secede." The Senate and House of Representatives were well stocked with some of the "best blood" of the South, who seemed by some presentiment to be aware that their days in the National Legislature were drawing to a close forever; and as the days of Buchanan's Administration were counted off-like the prisoner in his cell tells through the weary night the hours that hasten him on to execution-they numbered theirs; and although the uninitiated could not see danger in the defeat of Fremont and the Republican party in 1856, yet, in this defeat and this party, the sagacious politician saw a victory; the "handwriting" was "on the wall." The new Republican party was full of vigor. It came up from the direction of the rising sun, where the monuments erected to the Nation's heroes have never been gazed upon by a slave. Came with a platform upon which Liberty stood; equal justice before the law was inscribed upon its banners; freedom, industry, virtue and patriotism marched in its ranks, and high upon its banners was "Union now, and forever," from which the party in power shrank like a guilty thing under a terrible summons. Through the four years of the administration. (Buchanan's) the Democratic party was in the sweat and gall of bitterness. The new National Republican party was daily gaining strength. Local elections. were watched by the party in power, only to extract groans from them as they witnessed their defeat. Republicanism made heavy draughts from the ranks of the Democracy in the Free States. The power of the press, that mighty engine, shed its illuminating rays upon the new party. The pulpit came to the rescue, and a "political sermon by special request," was relished by the village "church-goers" throughout the land. New clubs and organizations were formed, and old familiar faces from the Democratic ranks joined them, which cast radiant smiles upon the faces of Republicans, while the once cheery countenance of the Democratic official was quite chop-fallen and woebegone. The spring of 1860 had opened with increased political activity. The immense Federal patronage in the hands of the Democrats, would almost seem to warrant their success in the coming election in November, and a death struggle was inaugurated to keep afloat the old Democratic craft; but she was top-heavy, sails torn, helm unsteady and leaking badly, and the roar of breakers could be heard in the distance. As time wore on, it was evident that dissensions were rife among the Democrats of the "Border States" and at the North; and that a third party, if not a fourth, would be in the field; and sure enough there was. The time for nominations for the Presidency was at hand, and despite all influences brought to the rescue, four political parties were before the people. |