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

An dtpNlt Nuc pSNu hioHV' ~ 'hr MIR
Lecompton Democratic members of the
House. TO compromise their differences with
the other wing Of the party, but thus Ear it
has been unsuccessful. The story is told in
the following correspondence, copied from
the Hcraid aud other papers
WASHINGTON, March -, 1858.
Mr.. C0chrane issued notice this morn
ing for Il democratic caucus to be held IN
the hail Of the house ut 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 char, aud Mr.. Sew
ard, OF Georgia, was appointed Secretary.
MIR. 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 Arrange ment
could not be made to unite the dscordant
clements. He was ready to hear any sug
gestion from those gentlemen upon this Kan
sas difficulty. He had never yet been able
TO ascertain what those gentlemen desired.
He, 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 q proper spirit was manifested.
Mr.. English, of Indiana, then offered the
following resolution -
Resolutd, That committee be appointed by
the chair, TO consist OF ten LecomptOn and ten
anti Lecompton democrats, whose duty II 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 deib
erations to this caucus, for its consideration on
Tuesday evening next, at o'clock, to which
time the caucus will adjourn.
Mr. English said be was not in the habi
OF obtrudng his opinions, but he felt that
great responsibility rested upon every Dem
Ocratic representative. He concurred in
what Mr.. Stephens hsd said in reference to
the importance of promoting harmony in the
Democratic family. lie liked the concilia-
tory spirit of bis 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 10 meet
on terms Of equality, and as members Of the
same Democratic household to council to-
gether. Good might come of it and, ut
all events, if no agreement could be effected,
matters would be no worse than they now
are. He could scarcely think Of q greater
calamity than the overthrow of the Demo.
cratic party, and the elevation TO its place
of one purely sectional. The question with
him was not so much what ought to have
been done with this question originally, as
what could b. done with it in the position
to which it has drifted.
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. ii. English, Of Indiana; l.. NJ. keitt,
of South Carolina; W. j. GrOesbeck, Of
Ohio; A. ii. Stephens, of Georgia; James
Craige of Missouri; Owen Jones, Of Penn
sylvania; J. H. Cockerill, OF Ohio; John N.
Sandidge, of Louisiana; N. l.. Dewart, Of
Pennsylvania; John A. Quitman, Of Missis
ssippi; p. b. Foley, Of Indiana; j. Clancy
Jones of Pennsylvania; George Ii. Pendlet0n
Of Ohio; George II. Houston, of Alabama;
II. +. Clarke, Of New York; 4. $. B0cock,
of Virginia; l.. w. Hall, OF Ohio; j. w
Stephenson, Of Kentucky; J. {. Mckibben,
of California; +. Corning, Of New York.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1853.
The Democratic Caucus Committee met
this evening at the Capitol. All the MEM
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
Senate's bill were suggested and explained,
but the Lcomptonites 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 diversity Of opinion,
but there was general agreement that it
could be amended prior to that, notwith-
standing the words in the constitution. The
committee adjourned witheut taking any
question on the propositions presented.
WAsHrSGroS, March 30.
The antiIHcomptonites met at late
hour last night TO hear the report of the
caucus committee Of ten on their part, who
hal Just BEEN in consultation with the lie
comPtonites.
They reported that nothing could be done
and that no propositions were made Of any
kind which could be accepted.
The anti-lecompton committee were au-
thorlzed to present the Crittendcn amend
nent, little modified, a. proposition, but
il was not accepted.
Their Other propositions shared like
late.
1t il represented that there ia good feeling
and perfect unity among the antlIecomp
tonitas. They think that Mr.. English has
been wronged by the imputa,ions Of news
r,.veru m, Ma ,n.I faith He W m sfand he