The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-01-16
Correspondence Of the Minnesota PioHeer.
WAsH1xeror, Dec. o.. 1s49.

Correspondence Of the MINNESOTA Pioneer.-
WAsHIxeroS, Dec. "a, 1s49.
Before this can reach you, you will have
learned that Howell Cobb has been elected
Speaker of the House Of Representatives.
Mr.. G. although southern man, is far
from being classed among the dis-unionists
ar ultra pro-slavery men. He is confessed
Iy one of the ablest men in the House, and
withal he is fully acquainted with parlia-
.nentary usages and rules. He has always
been opposed to the wild theories and alb
| stractions Of Mr.. Calhoun and the South
Carolina nulliiers. which will account for
the luke-warin support he has received from
that small faction. Even the Wings failing
to elect their own candidate, ARE much bet
ter pleased to see Mr.. Cobb in the chair,
than they would have been, had any other
democrat been chosen in his stead, as all
have full faith in his character, as gentle
man in every way qualified to ill the high
station, to which he has been elected.
Thus has happily terminated the grea,
struggle which has occupied the House for
three weeks, although signalized by depart
ure from the principle of a majority vote,
to which the House has been driven by the
factious processing of few men, who seem
to have been sent back to Congress infamed
with new zeal IN the unboy cause against
the peace and safety Of the Union. Was
there any practical good TO result, to the
country from the continued agitation OF the
slavery question, or even to the poor slave
himself, there would he some good reason
for thus convulSng the whole land at each
successive session CT Congress, but when
liar institution" can never exist in Calior-
MIA or New Mexico, and that the people
have decided against its introduction in their
primary assemblies, it looks like an open
, aud wan.on insult to the South, farther to
! press the prohibition, especially when by so
doing, the uaion will be discovered. No
man is more opposed to slavery in every
shape than is your correspondent, and none
would more willingly see the last vestige
Of it blotted from orr history, but at the
same time n regard for tbs safety Of this
mighty Republic, which stands as Il beacon
light to the nations, and a refuge to the OPP
pressed, constrains him to enter his protest,
with that Of every citizen OF sound con.erv-
alive opinions, against the unnecessary agi-
tation Of a subject, wh'h tends to array
} one portion of The people against their breth.
rem, while it tightens The bonds of The slave.
The institution OF slavery is rot natioai
one. 1t is peculiarly that Of the States with
in whose limits it is permitted to exist, and
upon them must rest tie burden and re.
sponsiiiity attached to it. We of the north
have protested, and do protest, agains. its
extension one single inch beyond the area
where it constitutionaly exists, and in SC
doing we discharge all incumbent duty.
The British Minister has arrived, and
there is good reason to believe, that he
is charged by his Government to settle
the Nicaragua difficulty upon a pacific
and equitable basis. There are many
reports as to the course the Senate will
adopt in its action upon the many Elk
appointments which will necessarily
come before it, but of course nothing
certain Is known Of the matter. Afer
, New Year, Congress will go seriously
to work, as there is feeling among the
members, that the organization OF the
House has been too long delayed, and
that the loss time must be made up.
Father Mathew was here last week
and both Houses OF Congress passed q
resolution that he should be admitted
within the bar, which is a just compii-
uent paid to that distinguished philan-
thropist. He lett here two days since
for the south, where lie intends to spend
the winter, his health being very bad.
My next epistle will probably contain
, some matters Of interest, as / shall from
time to time advise you Of congressional
action. Gov Ramsey is now in Phila-
deiph:a.
NTJ[NCSOTA