The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-01-13

Mr.. Miles, have the floor.
Mr.. Dumb have the floor aud insist
upon it.
Mr.. Miles-I am not willing to yield the
floor for endless controversy, whichis out of
place.
The Republicans again called for the
reading of the extract.
Mr.. Davis-I am not to be intimidated
by these men. | was never cooler in nv life
AS far as the Sentinel is concerned, the
editor and l have not spoken for four years.
He opposed my election with bitterness
never before known. l never knew, till last
week, that synopsis of my speech was
published in it. then wrote to friend to
send me copy of the paper. Although it
is not fair synopsis, am not ashamed to
have it read here. l would not take back a
single principle for the Presidential, much
less the Speakers chair. That 81 nopsis was
used clandestinely and meanly against the
Democrats by certain gentlemen on the other
side.
Mr.. Porter (interrupting) Gone word.
Mr.. Davis-Not now; wait till l give
you the opportunity.
Various gentlemen on the Democratic side
called Mr.. Porter to order.
Mr.. Davis-The bred Scott decision is
right, but do not give it the Interpretation
which the President does in his message. l
said, in my opinion, that any man who takes
the ground that the constitution per Sc es
tablishes slavery in the territories could not
carry single township in my state. There
is not word in that synopsis which shows
that l meant the bred Scott decision. l
only alluded to the Presidents opinion. He
(Mr. Davis then referred to the canvass in
the Second Congressional District of Indi-
ana, saying that he appealed from packed
convention to the majority of the people,
and was triumphantly sustained
Here there were repeated cries from the
Republican side of I" Let the extract be
read"
Mr.. Porter hoped that Mr.. Miles, who
was still in possession of the floor, would
allow the extract to be read.
Mr.. Miles wanted some distinct under
standing, but the purport of it was lost in
the general confusion.
Mr.. Porter--I understand the gentleman
from South Carolina yielded the floor that
the extract might be read, and in order that
l might reply to the assault of my colleague
MIR. Miles--It would not be fair to do by
indirection what could not be done directly.
Mr. Porter-I wish to say-(cries of "Go
on, 60 on, Mies.)
Mr. Miles--If the gentleman from Indi-
ana desires the floor, he will undertake to
read what his colleague (Mr. Davis objects
to.
Mr.. Davis--I do not object to his reading
it.
Mr.. Ruffin--I object to the gentleman
from South Carolina yielding the floor for
that purpose.
tCries from the Republicans, "Too late. y
Mr.. Ruffin-It is not too late.
mingled cries of ego on" to Miles, and
calls from the Republicans for the extract)
Mr.. Porter again arose.
John Cochrane interposed a point of
order. He had been recognized by the
clerk, but had yielded the floor to Mr.. Miles.
If he did so, he hoped the latter would be
permitted to go on.
Mr.. Ruffin--I think such proceedings
disreputable. Let us adjourn till to morrow.
('No, no" from the Repubicans.) Gentle.
men can talk over their personal matters at
another time.
Mr.. Porter said he would read the extract
himself.
Mr.. McRae-Let the paper be read by
the clerk, so that all can hear
Mr.. Porter--the House will recollect--
Mr.. McRae began to speak, and was
loudly called to order. Great confusion ex-
listed, and but little he said was heard.
Mr.. Porter, after order was partially
restored, said: Did not my colleague, on
the stump, in public meetings, in Indiana,
state that be did not endorse the bred Scott
decision? He says he did not make any
such remarks. then asked that the pas.
sage in the Sentinel, the organ of the Dem.
ocratic party and Judge Douglas, be read.
Finally, the extract from the synopsis of the
speech Of Mr.. Davis was read, to the effect
that it was given out in high quarters that
the constitution takes slavery into all the
territories, in violation of the local law, but
that the presidential candidate who so
maintained, could not carry single town.
ship in Indiana in 1860. If such doctrines
are true, the Republicans are correct. The
doctrine was advocated by Calhoun, and
took him down the stream. &c.
Mr.. Porter remarked that he was willing
that the question between him and his COL
league should 60 to the country. (Derisive
laughter on the Democratic side.) There
was scarcely man on the floor but that
would say that this was declaration against
the Dred Scott decision. He ventured to
say that many of his colleagues and friends
in Indiana, including the anti Lecompton
men, will be surprised at his declarations
that he did not denounce the bred Scott
decision. He was surprised that his COL
league, whom he had treated courteously,
should attempt to divert the business Of the
House by attempting a personal issue. His
colleague had ihtimated that he had exhibit
ted this paper clandestlnely to operate
against the Democrats. One or two of his
colleagues, knowing that he had it in his
possession, called on him to see it, but he
never exhibited it to mortal man without
being asked to do so. Not more than four
or five men had seen it from him. He
always understood that when public man
makes public declaration he was willing it
should stand, and no men with those senti-
ments would shrink from an exposition of
his position.