The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-01-27

and indignity which had to be met. If they
continued to be pressed in this manner, the
fate of the Democratic party was sealed.
The question had been thrust forward by
the President in his message; by the Vice
President in bis address to the Legislature,
and on this floor. He referred to executive
dictation, and the attempt to coerce free
men by cutting off the heads of Postmasters
and Custom House officers. The Senator
from Georgia now wanted law passed to
enable slaves to be held in the Territories
in defiance of all law and insisted on the
Charleston Convention sustaining the de-
mand. If this was the sentiment of the
Southern delegates, he hoped they would
say so on the first day of the Convention.
He cared nothing for the threats of oppos-
ton to the nominee, made by the Senator
from Georgia. He concluded by declaring
has determination as delegate to Charleston
to support has present vieus, and insisted that
the prescription against his branch of the
party must cease.
Mr.. Douglas said the state of his health
would not permit him to engage in lengthy
debate. When his assailants were through,
he would reply to them in lump
Mr.. Davis thought the Senator from
Illinois exalted himself above his level when
he supposed it was necessary that CON-
binatiOn should be forced against him. As
to going at them in a lump, he had better
try to get through with one of them.
Mr.. Douglas would institute no compari-
son between himself and the Senator as to
modesty of their bearing. He had been
assalled while lying on sick bed, as rotten
by one who confessed rottenness twelve
years ago. He had no assault to make on
any one. He had no fondness for contro-
versy. His position was purely defensive.
MIR. Clay said be would show that the
Senator Douglas had changed his views
He (Clay) would not have extended to him
the right hand of fellowship as Democrat,
if he had not believed he had not changed,
his views. His complaints of assaults and a
combination against him looked like seeking
popular sympathy which he CLAY aohorred
as the act of a demagogue. He feared that
the Senator was like Cleon, who rushed in
to the msrket-place exhibiting elf-infict-
ed wounds to excite sympathy and secure
protection.
Mr.. Douglas denied seeking popular
sympathy. He never would have alluded
to his deposition from the Craftsmanship of
the Committee on Territories, if it had not
been thrown in his face. He denied the
right of the Senator from Alabama to criti-
else his Democracy. He did not think the
Senator's opposition would affect his vote in
Alabama. He never had made speeches to
hot no ho1t ba
of the Charleston Convention, unless his
man was selected. The Senator by his pro-
nuncamento had put himself outside the
Democratic party. If the Senator did not
extend the right hand of political fellowship,
he would survive the stroke. If be happen
ed to be nominated at Charleston, he would
consider the Senator from Alabama as
much honored by bis accepting his vote as
he would in receiving it. He Douglas did
not court the nomination at Charleston. He
would not accept it except upon platform
conforming to his views. He would never
commit the meanness of being elected on a
platform, and kick it over afterwards He
believed twothirds of the Democracy of the
country were with him. His removal from
the Committee on Territories must have
been meant as proclamation to the world
that no one holding bis opinions was fit to
be Chairman. If the proscriptive tests are
to be applied, what chance was there to
elect Democratic candidate? He would
not say be was unwilling to support Dem
ocratic nominee who differed with him.
Mr.. Davis said he had no objection to Mr..
Douglas as Democrat except on this par
ticuIar point. He was willing to give him
the Craftsmanship of his committee
Mr.. Green. SO am |.
MIR. Douglas said that he could not, under
the circumstances, take the Craftsmanship of
any other Committee. For eleven years bis
opinions had been no disqualification, and
be did not see why they should I've so now.
Mr.. Davis said he wished to know whether
the Senator wished to make issue with Dem
cratic Senators on this question or on all.
MIR. Douglas said that he would make
issue with Senators on neither side of the
House. Prescription had everywhere been
exercised against all holding his views. Was
any man prepared to accept the Charleston
nomination, pledged to prescribe them and
then so mean as to ask the votes of those
prescribed 1t was certain that onethird
of the party could not subdue two-thirds.
He yielded to no man in sOundness in Dem.
ocratic and States rights principles upon
the slavery question. He would make no
abandonment of principles; no recantation.
If Senators were satisfied with their own
records and would leave his alone, all would
go well. If they assailed him controversy
must ensue.
Mr.. Davis disavowed any desire to assail
the Senator, and defended the administra-
ton from the charge of prescription.
The debate was closed after few unim-
portant remarks from other Senators.