The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-23

interpreted to declare that the people of
territory, like those of State, have right
to decide on the question of slavery for
themselves.
Mr.. McRca analysed the votes which
had been taken to show that the RESPONSE
bilitp of eiecting the Speaker rested on the
Southern opposition and anti-Lecompton-
ties.
Mr.. Etheridge suggested whether if thirty
i've or forty votes could be polled for Mr..
Gilmer, the Democrats would join their
forces in his support. He said Southern
members could have no objections to Mr..
Gilmer who holds 100 slaves.
Mr.. McRae asked whether it was fair
that eighty eight or ninety men should go
over to tweney three. Had it been shown
that Mr.. Gilmer could get thirty votes
Why did not the gentleman unite his twenty
three with the Democrats, putting the res
possibility on the anti Lecomptonites, and
determine the result?
Mr.. Etheriege said they could test the
fact when it could be shown that Mr.. b.
cock can receive ninety three votes. 1t
would then be no difficult task to show he
could be elected.
Some of the Democrats refused to vote
for MIR. Bocock, and ignored his Democracy.
MIR. Branson said he could not vote for a
Republican, nor could he vote for man
who endorsed the position of Mr.. Douglas,
as the latter's doctrines were wholly sub.
verslve of Southern rights. He ask ed Mr..
Bocock whether he endorsed the views of
nrIn ,nt IT,
a territory can exclude slavery by unfriendly
legislation he would never support men
holding such opinions.
Mr.. McRae replied that Mr.. Bocock had
not possession of the floor, and could not get
it to answer. Laughter.
Mr.. Clark, of New York, said he never
would vote for any one for speaker, who was
not hostile to the legislation by Congress for
the protection of slave property in the ter
ritories, who was not thoroughly inimical to
the abrogation of the law against the Afri-
can slave trade, and who must not be the
man who wonld deem the election of Re.
| publican sufficient cause to attempt the dis
solution of the Union. He would not say
Mr.. Bocock did not stand on this platform.
Mr.. McRae replied: the Democratic party
did not make the re.opening of the slave
trade question.
Mr.. Clark was glad to hear it.
Mr.. McRae said, as far as he individually
was concerned, he was in favor it, and would
at future time give his reasons. Such was
not the position of the Democratic party in
Mississippi or any other Southern State.
Mr.. Clark explained his position and sale
he would support Mr.. Doug las much sooner
without than with platform.
Mr.. McRae: Would you support the
nominee of the Charleston convention on
the Cincinnati platform?
Mr.. Clark replied he would support Mr.
Douglas.
Mr.. McRae resumed his remarks, causing
much good humor. He was frequently in
terrupted by gentlemen who wished either
to define their positions, Or obtain politica
light.
Without concluding, Mr.. McRae gave
way to a motion to adjourn, which pre-
vailed.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-SENATE.-Mr
Mason's resolution for the appointment of {
special committee of investigation in the
Harper's Ferry invasion came up.
Mr.. Wade, of Ohio, said that at first il
was not his purpose to speak on the resolu
ton. He made up his mind when the reso
luton was introduced that he should vote
for it, 1t was said by the mover, Mr.
Mason, that one great object was to elicit
the northern State feelings respecting this
invasion.
Mr.. Mason desired to correct the Senator
That object had been once or twice imputed
to him in the course of this debate, but il
was misapplication. What he said was
that he wished to ascertain from what source
Brown received funds and counsel which lee
to the invasion.
Mr.. Wade continued his remarks, stating
that he looked upon Brown as insane. HI
had been maddened by the scenes of blooc
he had witnessed in Kansas, for he did moi
believe any sane man would undertake sucl
an enterprise.
After further debate Mr.. Mason's resolu
tion was adopted by unanimous vote.
HoUsE--Mr. McRae of Mississippi, made
speech denouncing Helpers Book, and the
Republican party. He held Republicans
criminally responsible for agitating the
public mind in the Northern States. He
denied that the Democratic party was 9
pro Slavery party; on the other side the
anti Slavery party was aggressive, while the
Democratic party stood on the defence.
MIR. Vallandigham Of Ohio, said that any
man that endorsed the recommendation for
the circulation of Helpers book, should not
be Speaker or member Of this House. He
gave way to motion to adjourn, which was
negatived by a vote of lO4 yeas to LOG nays
Mr.. V. resumed, saying be had message to
deliver, and would hold the floor till the 4tt
of March next but that he would be heard
He did not wish to proceed this evening
Another motion to adjourn was negatived
by two majority. Mr.. V. proceeded and
read from Helpers book extracts embracing
the strongest Abolition sentiments, which
he condemned in the strongest terms.
MIR. Ashmore of South Carolina, spoke
against the book and its doctrines, and sale
that vile infamous creature had beer
canght in South Carolina with ten or fifteer
copies of Helpers books for distribution
among free negroes and non shareholders.
Mr.. Cobb of Alabama, exclaimed hang
him.
The South Carolina Legislature.