The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-08
Attempt Mt Compromise.

Iecompton Democratic members Of the
House, to compromise their differences with
the other wing of the party, but thus far il
has been unsuccessful. The story is told in
the following correspondence, copied from
the Herald and other papers
WASHINGTON, March -, 1858.
Mr.. Cochrane issued a notice this morn
ing for democratic caucus 10 be held IN
the hall Of the house al half past seven o.
clock this evening.
At the appointed time between sixty and
seventy members were present. Mr.. Coch-
rane was called TO the chair, and Mr.. Sew
ard, of Georgia, was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. Stephens, OF Georgia, stated the
object of the meeting to be TO confer togeth-
er-the Lecompton and anti lecompton
democrats--and see II some arrangt ment
could not be made To unite the discordant
clements lie was ready to hear any sug-
gestion from those gentlemen upon this an
sas difficulty. He had never yet been able
TO ascertain what those gentlemen desired.
lie, for one, was for unity and harmony, and
desired above all things TO preserve the par
ty intact and he believed it could be done
il o proper spirit was manifested.
Mr.. English, OF Indiana then offered the
following resolution -
Rssoirtd, That committee be appointed by
the chair, to consist OF ten Lecompton and ten
anti Lecompton democrats, whose duty It shall
be TO confer together, and ascertain whether
anything can be done TO secure harmony and
concert of action in reference to the question
of admitting Kansas into the Union and that
said committee report the result of their delib
erations to this caucus, Tor its consideration, ON
Tuesday evening next, at o'clock, To which
time the caucus Will adjourn.
Mr.. English said he was not in the habi
OF obtruding lis opinions bu. he icl! that
great responsibility rested upon every Dem
Ocratic representative. He concurred in
what Mr.. Stephens had said in reference to
the importance Of promoting harmony in the
Democratic family. lie liked the concilia-
tory spirit of his speech, and deeply regret
ted that such fraternal spirit had not been
earlier manifested. II it had, much Of the
existing trouble and bad feeling would have
been avoided. lie spoke Of the danger to
the Democratic party likely to grow out Of
this question il it was not settled, and
urged the committee from each side to meet
on terms of equality, and as members Of the
same Democratic household to council to-
gether. Good might come Of it; aud, ut
all events, if no agreement could be effected,
matters would be no worse than they now
are. He could scarcely think Of greater
calamity than the overthrow of the Demo.
cratic party, and the elevation to its place
of one purely sectional. The question with
,k.S .,s.kN a., has,
been done with this question originally, as
what could b. done with it in the position
TO which it has driited.
The resolution was then adopted, and the
caucus adjourned to meet on Tuesday even
ing next
In accordance with the resolution, Mr..
Cochrane appointed the following Com
mittee:
w. English, Of Indiana; l.. M. keitt,
of South Carolina; W. j. Groesbeck, Of
Ohio; A. Ii. Stephens, Of Georgia; james
Craige, of Missouri; Owen Jones, Of Penn
sylyania; J. X. Cockerill, OF Ohio; John N.
Ssndidge, Of Louisiana; N. l.. Dewart, Of
Pennsylvania; John A. Quitman, Of Misss-
ssippi r. b. Foley, Of Indiana; j. CLANCY
Jones, of Pennsylvania George Ii. PendletOn
of Ohio; George II. Houston, Of Alabama;
II. +. Clarke, Of New York; i. ). Bocock,
of Virginia; l.. w. Hall, OF Ohio; j. w
Stephenson, OF Kentucky; J. c. McKibben,
of California, +. Corning, Of New York.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1853
The Democratic Caucus Committee met
this evening at the Capitol. All the men,
bers were present except Mr.. Craig, Of Mis-
souri,. There was full and free comparison
Of views and interchange Of opinion All
the proceedings were conducted with the ut
most harmony. Several amendments to the
Senates bill were suggested and explained,
but the Iecomptonites thought their sub
stance already embraced in the measure-
One point discussed was the power Of the
people to amend the constitution before 6G4.
On this there was a diversity Of opinion,
but there was q general agreement that II
could be amended prior to that, notwith-
standing the words in the constitution. The
committee adjourned witheut taking any
question on the propositions presented.
WAsHISGroS, March 30.
The antiGecomptonites met at late
hOur lart HIgut W H'H th' ftPoft vi th'
caucus committee Of ten on their part, who
had Just BEEN in consultation with the Ie-
comp,OnItes.
They reported that nothing could be done
and that no propositions were made OF any
kind which could he accepted.
The anti-lecompton committee were au-
thorlzsd to present the Crittenden amend
nent, little modified, as a proposition, but
it was not accepted.
Their Other propositions shared a like
tate.
1t ia represented that there is good feeling
and perfect unity among the an,ilecomp-
tonites. They think that Mr. English has
been wronged by the inputations Of news
papers on his good faith. He will stand by
i do Gx.aasx.iax. ar.unArns.ui