The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
XXXN Congress--Secon Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Il


The President announced the reception
Of the report of the proceedings Of the Par.
Lament of Canada. Referred to the Com
mittee on Library.
Mr.. Lane introduced the following reso-
lutions: -'a e-F
Resolved, That the several states be requested
to send commissioners or delegates to consult
on the present state of the Union and that the
southern states be requested to meet together
previously, and decide on conditions necessary
to their peace and safety, and submit their
opinions to the delegates from the northern
states.
Further resolved, That it is contrary to reli.
gion and the spirit of the age for the govern.
ment to interfere in any way with any steps
the states may agree to adopt. 1855.
Further resolved, That the federal govern.
ment will abstain from the employment of any
aggressive force toward any state, and if there
is any danger of collision, that the federal
forces and state forces be promptly with.
drawn. So
Mr.. Douglas suggested that they be laid
over, and that all such resolutions be re-
ferred to the Committee of Thirteen, which
had been raised. The resolutions were laid
over.
Mr.. Crittenden explained resolution he
wished to offer. He would practically re.
establish the Missouri Compromise declare
that Congress shall not interfere with slavery
in the states, and provide for the faithful
performance of the fugitive slave law. he
said we were in trOublous times, which re-
quired Cancellation and sacrifice by every
lover of the Union. Calm reflection was
necessary. If this mighty republic be over
thrown, it will be the greatest shock ever
received by civilization, and worse than the
French revolution. Suppose the southern
states come and ask to 60 out, and ask for
fair division, would the north refuse
Would it not give them all they now have
Is it then mere party spirit now that pre-.
vents them giving them all they would get,
by establishing the line? He asked what
would they gain by refusal. Nothing but
all the fatal consequences of disunion. In
view of these mighty consequences and
great events is it not better to settle it on
the Missouri compromise line? The people
were satisfied with that for thirty years, and
would be satisfied with it again. 1t was bis
settled conviction that unless something is
done we would be separated and divided
people in less than six months. Is not this
the cheapest price to pay for Union? Some
people were not afraid, but so sure as they
stood there, disunion would follow unless
something was done; and he feared it
would swallow old Kentucky, as true a
state as yet exists in the Union. He
thought the north ought to be satisfied, as
the south has only one third the territory
When we come to make peace Offering
do we measure truthfully and count every
cent i? 1t is glorious sacrifice of party to
save the Union, Union which had cost
much sacrifice. Washington said Provi~
dence helped them. Is this great work to
be dashed in pieces ? The present trouble
was the result of long controversy, and
we have now come to place where the
preservation of the country demands the
sacrifice of party.
The highest duty of the Senate is to
preserve the constitution and the govern.
ment, and hand it down to posterity.
We are in a position where history will
RECORD our actions When we aroused dis.
cord and danger, we showed bitter party
spirit, and great country was ruined, to
the amazement of all the world. The great
republic has fallen, and our names will 60
down with stigma upon them. He wished
to God it was IN his power to save the
Union by giving up his private opinions.
He would ioregO every one.
The South is bent On revolution. He
did not believe in such madness. He could
speak for his own state. Old Kentucky
will be satisfied with this remedy, and stand
by the Union and die for it. He closed
with strong appeal to save the honor of
the flag, and expressed the hope that such
would be the case. He then offered the
following resolution.
Whereas, An alarming dssension has arisen
between the northern and southern states as to
the common rights of the territory of the Uni.
ted States, and it is DESTROYS that the dissen.
sions should be settled by constitutional pro-
visions which give equal justice to all sections
and thereby restore peace therefore.
RESOLVED, That the following articles be pro-
posed and submitted as an amendment to the
constitution, which shall be valid as part of
the constitution when ratified by the Conven.
tons of three fOurths of the people of the
states:
First In all the territories now or hereafter
acquired north of latitude 36 deg. 80 min. sla-
very or involuntary servitude, except for pun.
ishment of crime, is prohibited while in all
the territories south of that slavery is hereby
recognized as existing, and shall not be inter-
fered with by Congress, but shall be protected
as property by all departments of the terrific
rial government during its continuance. All
the territory north or south of said line, within
such boundaries as Congress may prescribe,
when it contains population necessary for a
member of Congress, with republican form
ofgovernment, shall be admitted into the Union
on an equality with the original states, with or
without slavery, as the convention of the state
shall prescribe.
Second, Congress shall have no power to
abOllsh slavery in the states permitting slavery.
Third, Congress shall have no power to
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
while it exists in Virginia and Maryland, or
either; nor shall Congress at any time prohibit
the officers of the government or members of
Congress, whose duties require them to live in
the District of Columbia, bringing slaves there
and holding them as such.
Fourth. Congress shall have no power to
hinder the transportation of slaves from one
state to another, whether by land navigation,
by law to pay an owner the full value for a
fugitive slave in all cases when the marshall is
prevented from discharging his duty by force.
or rescue made after arrest. In all such cases
the owner shall have power to sue the county
in which the violence or rescue was made, and
the county shall have the right to sue the indi'
viduals who committed the wrOng-the same
as the owner could sue. .,.........-.. ...t-