The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18
Debate on the Adsnssston Of Ms"nssots In
90 the Uoiou, In che United States ss"-
ate. Fsb. 0.

ate. Fsb. 0.
On Monday, Feb /. tho Pacific Railroad
Bill, having been previously made the spe-
cial order, Mr.. Gwis, Of California, moved
to take il up.
Mr. DOUGLAS moved 10 take up The bill
for the admission Of Minnesota, contending
that it was a question Of priority. A dis
cussiou, participated in by Messrs. Docatas,
GwiS. GagEs, CEIrrgSDgs, and SEWARD,
ensued upon the point. whether the motion
should take precedence Of the special order.
Mr.. FirzrArnIcR, a member Of the Terrific
rial Committee, having been sick when the
report WIS made, objected 10 taking up the
bill until he hal examined il. After an ex
PLANTATION from Mr. DoUoLAs, relative 10 the
report, Mr Mason, Of Virginia, obtained
the floor. We copy the speech and debate
whiel, followed. "a found IN the Washington
! Gkje:
Mr.. MASON. Mr. President, there was a
time when tie admission OF new State In.
10 the Union excited little other sensation Ia
either Honsr, or in tho country than the
earnest desrs Ia welcome new State into
The Coulederacy trust that time has not
vet gone by. But we all know that events
have occurred. and other events are ut hand,
that may perhaps enlighten the American
mind on this question OF the admission ol
new States.
The State Of Minnesota has Just passed
from the chrysais form, and has beea but u
fow days before tie Senate. ] think the rc-
port Of the committsr, of which this honora.
bic Senator FROM Illinois Ia chairman, was
presented here within the last week. or ten
DAYS. ut the outside. have read II, bat |
conii~s took II up~pnt Of iis order in the
press Of business upon me-, and that portion
Of public business which has been more e.
peclally cnnhdcd TO me. 10 order 10 10 60
| do not know that, when the question
con ~ before the Senate according 70 u reg
ular, and, a. il would @m TO me-. an nppro
pirate course, objection will be made to the
admission the State. ! did observe, what
| regret To say have more than once oh
served in the quarter Of country where that
State. or that Territory, 10 speak more
properly, is found, very great irregularities
occurring AMI passed over in the mode OF
erecting the State. | do not mean Ia say
that shall found any objection 20 the ad-
mission of the State an Them but they exist
aud are set forth IN the report Of tho hon
orabIe chairman oi tho Committee on Ter.
ritories
Hut, sir. why this apparently undue haste
10 bring this question now bcfore the Sen
ate The honorable senator from Illinois
has sad that Those who have been elected
Senators from Minnesota aro waiting and Il
IL desirable 10 give them seats Asa mat
ter Of courtesy TO thtec honorable gentlemen
should bc disposed 10 go M far as my senc
of duty 10 the whole country wold admit
bnt a question OF courtesy. however we may
entertain II ella where, cao have M place on
this floor il II IL Mt oil In collision with what
honorable Senators may consider matters
involving the great public interests Of tho
wi ole country.
Now. Mr.. President, we know very well,
although not officially informed, that we
shall have presented here. certainly ia he
course Of this week, possibly In the course
OF the next day or two, an application from
another State for admission into this Union
do not know where the honorable Senator
from Illinois. the chairman OF the committee.
will staud upon the question Of the admis.
sion Of that state. Ii the State presents
itself in the manner ia which Il IA said IL
will be doae. DO know where the great
array Of honorable Senators cn this side ii
the Chamber will stand. or at hast think
know. am not prepard to take up at
present. the consideration Of these questions
separately. ! do not know that | may not
do prepared 10 do 40 on further considera.
ton and further conference but IL may be
considered when VIZ have had further time
to take more extended view of all the cir.
cumstances, and The probable exigencies
that may surround the question OF the nj
mission oi new States at this session, Il may
be found desirable that they should not be
taken up separately. | ,o not know that It
will occur, but, for one. | am indisposed 10
take up one ol these measures until the other
IL maturei at least.
Sir. | do not profess to be informed Of
the circums tances under which the State OF
Kansas Is 10 apply for admission.
A SENATOR Territory,
Mr.. MASON. And now the TER try Of
Minnesota, for they are both Territories,
applies for admission ! do not know the
circumstances under which the Territory Of
Kansas ia to apply for admission as a STATE
and apprehena that no honorable Senator
knows them, but We do know that the
sources Of Information have been open To
the Senate and the country upon every qaes-
ton attending the passage 81 Kansas RON a
territorial state 90 that Of an independent
political community have been Of character
TO carry with them distrst ami doubt We
know, however, tina, the constitution OF that
State is IN Washington. We have reason to
believe that, within avery shcr, time. il will
BE- sent to the Senate, and We may prsume
we cannot take IL Tor rrauied--ihat when
il IL sen, TO the Senate, II will be- sccompa.
MED by authentic information touching