The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
XXXVl Congressional Session.

MAvl Congressional Session.
By some oversight, we did not receive
full telegraphic dispatches as to the pro-
ceedings of Congress, on the 10th. AS they
are important, we make synopsis
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
Mr.. Slidell, on question of privilege,
denied that he had difficulty with the
President in which he charged him with
imbecility.
Mr.. Toombs appeared in his seat.
The amendments to the Constitution, of.
fered by Mr.. johnson of Tennessee, were
taken up.
Mr.. johnson resumed, and paid q high
eulogy to General jackson, President in
1882, when ebellion broke out. He said
that jackson took the same view of rebel
lion that Washington did, and the rebellion
was put down and the government went on.
Now how is it? The duties are the same,
but the consequences belong to God. He
intended to discharge biSduty. Have we
not power to enforce the laws in South
Carolina as we'll as in Vermont? He ar
gued if South Carolina refused to permit
the Federal Courts to sit, or the carrying
the mails, or the collection of the revenue,
the government has the right to enforce the
laws. If South Carolina secedes and un-
dertakes to drive government from its prop
erty, it is levying war, and that is treason;
and nothing less. Madison, Washington
and Jefferson denied the right of secession,
yet we are told state can go regardless of
consequences to other states. The ques.
ton is whether other states will tolerate Sc
cession? If South Carolina goes out of the
Union, and is about to form an alliance in
imical to the rest of the states, the govern
ment has the right to conquer her as
province. He referred to the expense of
acquiring California, Texas, and Louisiana,
and admitted that these states were got,
not for them only, but for the benefit of all
the states. Yet these states say to-day they
will 60 out on their own volition. What
an illogical argument? The compact was
reciprocal. They have no right to go
| out
Mr.. Slidell said no person in Louisiana
wished to restrict the free navigation of the
Mississippi.
MIR. johnson resumed-We do not know
what change circumstances may make. If
these states go out now do they resume
territorial condition or not? He said the
Ostend principle would apply to South Car
DINA or Louisiana. If they secede and go
out, have we the right to seize and hold
them as provinces. He referred to state
ments that the army and navy of France
and England could be brought here to pro-
tect the states. He said this Government
would not tolerate such proceedings. He
quoted Gov. GistIs speech to show the in
tention of South Carolina to drag her sister
states in common ruin. As far as Ten
nessee is concerned, she will not be dragged
into a southern or other confederacy, until
she has time to consider. He would tell
northern friends that Tennessee was not to
be driven out of the confederacy either. II
Abolitionists wanted to abolish slavery, the
first step woald be disunion. The existence
OF slavery demands the preservation of the
Union. The border slave states would be
unprotected in case of dissolution. He
would rather see consolidated Govern
ment than thirty-three petty wrangling
powers. 1t might occur to the border states
to establish Central Republic forming
friendly alliance with northern border
states. In this connection what is to be
done with the Capitol founded by Wash
iDgton? 1t couldn't be given exclusively
to the north or south. He avowcd in his
place here he would never enter any Gov
eminent North or South less Democratic
than the one under which he lived now
NEVER, NEVER! He read extracts from
Georgia papers suggesting monarchical
government.
He said the south had "better bear the
ills they have, than to fly to others they
know not Of" There might be some Louis
Napoleon to seize the reigns of government.
He intended to stand by the Constitution,
and demand the faithful performance of
guarantees. He would not be driven out of
the house built by his fathers. He wanted
to stay rash and precipitate action in some
portions of the South, which runs to red
hot madness; also mad abolitionists at the
north. He trusted in God that the Union
would be preserved, and he intended to
hold to it as the palladium of human liber-
ty, as the shipwrecked mariner clings to the
plank to save himself. What grievance op-
| cIdtcS Ou OOuIu OdIOllud! 1S IL UcCduSC SuC
wants to take slavery into the Territories?
Both her Senators last session said no need
oft now.
Is it reason for disunion because our man
was not elected? If Breckenridge was elect
ed nobody wanted to break the Union, but
Lincoln is elected and now they say they
will break the Union. He said No. What
was there to fear :? Lincoln was minority
President. Let South Carolina send her
Senators back, and Lincoln cannot even
make Cabinet without the consent of the
Senate. Was be such coward as to re-
treat when it was evident they had the pow
er? Was he to be 40 cowardly as to de-
sert the noble band at the North who had
stood by the South on principle, yet for a
temporary defeat turn their backs on them
and leave them to their fate? Nothing was
necessary but to stand by your posts like
men. In four years time Lincoln and his
party will both go out of power. What
reason, then, is there for deserving the Gov
ernment? He believed that they could OBJ
tain all needed guarantees. He entreated
and begged Of all parties to come forward