The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-14
XXXVl Congressional Session.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
HoUsE.-Mr. Hawkins of Fla. has given
additional reasons for asking to be excused
from serving on the union select committee
under Mr.. Boteler's resolution. He said
that Florida is entitled to all the rights and
immunities of the other States. She can
not be forced to remain in the Union. and
the Southern States are pledged to defend
her in the event of attempted coercion.
He was satisfied of the unanimity prevailing
in that State in favor of secession, and of a
committee as peculiarly unfortunate. He
criticized the composition of the committee
strongly, Directing to Mr.. Davis of Mary.
determination to redress its grievances in
its own way, by other than congressional
compromises, which have never accomplish
ed successful purpose.
He regarded the component parts of the
land, as not fit representative of that
State, arguing that all who voted for Penn
ington as Speaker were disloyal to the rights
of the south. He regretted that the reso-
luton for the appointment of the committee
came from one of the most gifted represen-
tatives of the South.
He gave fair warning that Mississippi,
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South
Carolina were certain to secede, and to be
followed by Arkansas, Louisiana, and
Texas.
Mr.. Vallandingham argued in favor of
excusing Mr.. Hawkins, for the reason that
the committee was raised with view to
peace, and we should not use coercion to
make members serve. He adverted to the
composition of the committee in condemna.
ton, saying there was no Democratic CON-
mittee man from the great northwest, which
has such deep interest in the subject, and
which does not intend to be dependant
province either of the east or south. If the
people of that section could not otherwise
get to the sea, they would cleave their way
with the sword.
MIR. McClernand remarked that trou-
blous future opens up before us, but he did
not believe our government could be dis
solved by the consent of any one of its
parties. There was more strength in the
government than is generally believed. He
was amazed that the entire Democracy of
the North should be excluded from the
committee, but was not willing to excuse
MIR. Hawkins.
Without taking the question on Mr..
Hawkins request to be excused from the
Committee, the House adjourned.
SENATE.-On motion of Mr.. Bigler of
Penn, the standing committees of last SEES.
sion were ordered to be continued.
The Homestead bill passed its first read
ing.
Mr.. Powel's resolution on federal affairs,
was called up.
Mr.. Powell said events were rapidly
crowding upon us which were they not
speedily suppressed would result in disso-
luton of the government. The resolutions
proposed legislation to give power for the
correction Of evils. Our duty to the coun-
try requires US to act promptly. The
eleventh amendment to the constitution was
made in 1884. and 1885 the twelfth was
made. Our fathers acted in emergencies
and so can we.
Mr.. Collamer moved to strike out part of
the resolutions, leaving in only so much as
refers to federal affairs, and that be referred
to special commission.
Mr.. Green said he would vote for the
resolution and amendment to the Constitu-
ton or legal enactment, but unless popu-
lar sentiment goes with it, or the strong
arm of the government goes with it, it is
not worth straw. Our efforts must be to
bring about public sentiment, or alterna-
lively, we must arm the Federal Govern
ment with physical power to enforce the
Constitution everywhere.
Mr.. Latham said California would remain
with the Union, and with the great north
and west, no matter what occurred. The
Pacific Railroad was the great desideratum
of her people.
Mr.. Powell accepted Mr.. Collamer's
amendment to strike out.
WASHINGTON, December 10.
SENATE.-Mr. Powell's resolution on
Federal affairs being under discussion
Mr.. Dixon, of Connecticut, said: We can
not shut our reyes to the great truth that moth
ing less than the disruption of the govern
ment is the peril to which we are now ex
posed. 1t is enough for'us to know that it
would be not only great event, but in its
effects on the race of mankind, the greatest
calamity of the age. The controversy on
the subject of slavery had now reached a
point where its honorable, rightful adjust
ment, consented to by the people of both
sections, seems indispensable to the continu-
ance OF the government in its present form
The election of Lincoln fastened the criti-
cal day. His defeat could only postpone it.
l do not intend to say that one section was
more to blame than the other, whether both
were equally at fault, or whether the blame
was wholly on one side. examinations and
determinations are now useless, nay, daDge-
rOus.
If possible, the first thing done should
be to restore the fraternal spirit which once
existed. How shall this be done? By
cheerfully and honestly assuring to every
section, its just constitutional rights. No
section ought to ask more, none ought to
offer less, and as to what are those constitu.
tional rights, is subject to be consid.
cred in spirit of confidence, mutual good
will, and devotion to the Union, for the
y,rocorvo tinn nf mb;ob ms, oooet;fuonfc ORC