The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-07
WASHINGTON NEWS!
The Position Of the President.
HE OPPOSES SECESSION AND WILL APPEAL
TO THE NORTH.

Correspondence of the N. Y. Herald.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %.
There has been no division in the Cabi.
net on the secession question. SO far from
it, no consultation has yet been had upon
it /; so the President himself declares.
In an interview this evening between the
President and some ardent secessionists,
Mr.. Buchanan took strong grounds against
secession without resorting first to concili-
atory measures. He could not believe that
the mighty West would permit the mouths
of the Mississippi to be held by foreign
power, which both Louisiana and Arkan-
sas would become in case of their withdraw.
al from the Union. "South Carolina" he
said, wishes to enter into conflict with
me-a conflict with myself-aud upon the
drawing of the first drop of blood to drag
other Southern States into the secession
movement" The President did not init
mate what be would do in that event. He
admitted that the South had suffered great
wrongs at the hands of the North but the
federal compact was not to be broken up
preciptately, and without reasoning and
reflection. He would appeal to the North
for justice to the South, and if it was de-
MED them, "then," said the President, en-
phatically, 81 AM with them."
All the reports received by the President
from the South are of the gloomiest de-
scription. He says " see no CLEAN of
sunshine yet"
The question of the acceptance or nom
acceptance of the resignation of the South
Carolina ofice-holders is still in allegiance.
None Of the designations have as yet been
definitely acted upon. The resignation OF
United States Marshal Hamilton, of South
Carolina, was received to-day by the Presi-
dent, and placed on file for future conside-
ration.
Mr.. Buchanan is hourly receiving con-
gratulations on account of his opposition to
the precipitate action of the secessiOnists
On the other hand, the fire eaters do rot
hesitate to express their dissatisfaction. He
denies that MIR. Keitt had authority for de-
claring that be (Mr. Buchanan was COM
mitted to the secessionists, and he also &C.
MES the declaration of Mr.. Yancey to the
same effect.
The President does not appear to be
much concerned about the proceedings of
the coming session of Congress. He is of
opinion that it will not be SO violent as the
last.
The Usual semi-weekly sittinys of the
cabinet are being held, and no more
WASHINGTON, Nov. %.
The President has required the Attorney
Generals written opiuion on the questions of
law arising out of the apprehended Difficult
ties between the North and South. The
opinion has been given, but the contents
have not transpired. If the Presidents
views, and the plan be proposes in bis mes
sage for the settlement of the question at
issue be adopted, which requires great con-
cession on all sides, the impending difficult
ties may be averted. If not, it is almost
certain that disunion will follow, and our
worst fears be realized.
1t is often asked, what will President
Buchanan do in the present crisis? What
can be do? After jackson issued his famous
proclamation, in December, 1882, it was
three months before an act of Congress was
passed to meet the emergency. That act
1.-THE Force act, y expired by its own linn
itaton, and it is not probable that Mr.. Bu-
chansn can get along without such law
any better than Old Hickory. Any meas
ures of an unusual character, even for the
collection of revenue, will require the action
OF Congress; and any measures for the sup
preston OF revolution must come from the
same source. If one or more southern
states should secede, it will then be the
duty of Congress of the President-to
determine the great question of policy,
whether it is better to acknowledge their
independence without conflict, or to at
tempt by force to compel them to submit
This will be the most important question
ever agitated in our legislative halls, and
its discussion will propably occupy the COM
ing session to the exclusion of most other
business.
A special Washington dispatch to the
New York Tribune, of the 21st, says, that
dissolution of the Cabinet is imminent.
The Washington dispatches of the Herald
of the same date says:
This discussion of the question that is
now agitating the whole country, and the
position which the President shall take
regarding it in his Forthcoming message,
has brought the Cabinet to the verge of a
break up, and it may end in that before
the first Monday in December, when Con.
gress will meet.
The President insists that the Constitu-
ton of the Uuited States establishes gov
eminent, and be, as the sworn head and
executive thereof, mnst and will insist upon
the execution of the federal laws; that the
idea of peaceable secession by any State is
fallacy which be does not reco Mise, and
must resist tr the full extent of his power.
In this view be is supported by Cass, Black,
Toucey, and Holt
On the other hand, the Southern men,
bers Of the Cabinet-Floyd, Cobb, and
Thompson--hold that the Constitution is
merely compact, which may be broken at
any moment by a single State, which may
wish to retire from the Confederacy, by
declaring its wish to do so, and that in so
doing they should not be molested by our
federal government.
That portion of the message treating OF
this question of secession is still under dis
cussiOn, which will continue until COM
promise is found or the Cabinet breaks up
in row. You can rely upon these facts
and that the adminstr alton is in crisis.
Coon INvEsrMgNT.-A gentleman OF this
city, who rejoices in the possession of q