The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-16

to him the other day, 0Iter ne na0 vOveQ t0r
the resolutions offered by Col. Robertson,
and said, "'Good bye, Ooggswell r.
. Laughter If that was the understanding
let it be so. He was independent of the
Republican party, as it was of him. He
had no favors to ask. If the charge was
true that he had voted to establish slavery
in Minnesota, he was willing to bear the
consequences but if it was not true, he
asked that his maligners should be branded
as they deserved. Applause] The speak
er then proceeded to an explanation of the
character of the resolutions offered by Col.
Robertson. There was provision in the
Constitution of the State, which no con-
current resolutions" and no bill, could
abolish, prohibiting forever slavery or in
voluntary servitude in Minnesota. He had
looked at the resolutions carefully, and
defed any man to point out provision
proposing to establish slavery in this
State, as had been charged. 1t simply
proposed that during the sicky season in
the South, "our borders will be open to re-
"ceive our countrymen of the South, and
"their families as guests and sojourners. and
protect them in the right of possession to
"their family servants, bond or Free"
Their right of possession +! What right !?
Why, their right as defined in the constitu-
ton of the State of Minnesota, and not their
right as defined in the Fugitive slave law
or the laws of the State from whence
they came. The resolution merely guaran-
teed right which already existed. The
charge that he had voted to establish sla~
very in Minnesota, existed only in the i'm
agination of gentlemen; they would like to
have it so, but cannot.
What are the rights of citizens Of the
South, visiting us with their servants or
slaves? Why, the rights guaranteed in the
constitution, which says, slavery or invol-
untary servitude shall never exist in Mime.
sofa. The moment the slave sets his foot
on our soil, he is freeman. We don't say
in the resolution, we will aid in restraining
him of his liberty. But even if he 1.-THE
speaker) had voted to give the master the
right to hold his slaves in Minnesota for nine
months-if the charge had been true which
had been uttered by Mr.. Secombe-it would
have made the condition of the slave no
worse. 1t would have been an act of comfy,
which had been extended to southern people
in some of the northern states, ever since
the adoption of the federal constitution.
The beau ideal of the gentleman from Hen
nepin and his Abolition confederates,-
VIM. Fl. Seward, advocated the doctrine
that southern citizens should be allowed to
hold their slaves in the north for period of
nine months, and that they should be pro-
tected in that right by law.
The resolution pledged to the citizens of
the South "every rite of hospitality, during
their sickly season." He was willing to
extend this hospitality to every citizen, of
the South or elsewhere, and he wanted
every man in Minnesota, to notice that
resolution to do so, had been churIishly vo-
ted down.
Mr.. Coggswell concluded by def
ming his political position, which he said
had been called in question. He was an
old fashioned james Monroe, Andrew jack
son, Martin Van Buren, Democrat. He
believed that Congress had power to legis-
late on the subject of slavery, and prohibit
its extension. That was Democratic doc
trine until May, 1854, when the party de-
parted from its principles. He understood
that the Republican party adhered to the
doctrine which had been abandoned by the
Democracy, and to that doctrine alone. He
held that negro suArage-that the unseating
of Democratic members of this house-that
Registry law-that an apportionment
law, were not portions Of the Republican
faith, and that they could not become SO.
He denied the right of anybody to incorpo-
rate into the Republican party any princi-
piles except such as were laid down in its
authoritative and written platform. If the
party stands now on the old Democratic
ground, he was with them; but the moment
it is undertaken to extend the functions of
the party beyond that, he was not of them
or with them. In conclusion, if his Repub-
lican friends wanted to say" good bye" he
would also say "good bye" Applause.]
The reports were laid on the table.
THE RAILROAD QUESTION.
The bill introduced by Mr.. GREEN, of
Steele, on the Railroad question was refer
red to special committee Of two, as fol-
lows: Messrs. Sweet, Mitchell, Morrison,
Greene, of Steele, and Acker.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
Another appropriation bill was taken up
and passed, yeas 81, nays 4.
AC AAOuoC OuCu uCO LuC OCudtC Ill JOlut
convention, after which it took a recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
BILLS PASSED.
A bill to amend chapter 81 of the Re
vised Statutes, Furnishing wood stealing.
A bill to amend an act incorporating the
city of Rochester.
The House then resolved itself into Com.
mittee of the Whole On various unimport-
ant bills and consumed the remainder of the
afternoon session in their discussion.
JOINT CONVENTION.
The House and Senate met in Joint Con.
vention at IL q A. M, yesterday, for the
purpose of electing Public Printer.
Mr.. COOK nominated Orville Brown, of
Rice county.
Mr.. HAYS nominated Newson & Moore,
of st. Paul.
Mr.. HEATON moved the election be
deferred until Friday, at loan.
Mr.. GREEN suggested continuance of
the election until Monday.
MIR. COWAN moved that the election be
postponed until the present contract for
printing expires.
The Convention proceeded to vote for
Drinf nit L. Ill La