The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-29
Tortugas. They are essential without re-
ference to the seeded states. It was idle

TortugasL They are essential without re-
ference to the seeded states. It was idle
to endeavor to avoid the question. 1t is no
longer as to the collection of revenue or
taking care Of the public property. The
question is whether we are going to reduce
the Southern Confederacy to subsection or
not. He presumed that the Senators are
convinced by this time that that means war.
We cannot deny that there is Southern
Confederacy de facto in existence, with the
capital at Montgomery. We might regret
it. He did most profoundly. But be could
not deny the fact, painfully Notifying as it
is. But if the Republicans, after meeting
in caucus, could not silence others, they
kept silent themselves, as they were divided
into compromises and non. compromisers,
Disunion and Union Republicans, war and
peace Republicans.
Mr.. Fessenden inquired whether the Sem
ator meant to intimate that the Republicans
had, in caucus, resolved to keep silent.
Mr.. Douglas replied that be did not mean
to intimate. He said frankly he heard it
rumored, and suppose it to be true. v.
Mr.. Fessenden said it was untrue, from
beginning to end.
Mr.. Douglas. But it comes from your
side of the house. At any rate, You are
silent over there; silent when the country
may be wrecked on misapprehension as to
the policy of the Administration. He de-
sired to know whether the Administration
meant peace or war. If war was designed,
it will require large army. Rumor says
that estimates have already been made, and
that 100000 men will be required, which
will involve an expenditure of $2l6, 100000
annually. Remember, the men to be called
for in the eighteen Free States are to fight
those in the fifteen Slave States. Are we
prepared for this line of policy? Silence is
criminal, when we are on the eve of events
like these. His opinion was, we must choose
promptly one of these lines of policy-frst,
the restoration and preservation of the
Union by such amendments to the Consti-
tuition as will insure domestic tranquility,
safely and equally of all the States, and
thus restore peace, unity and fraternity to
the whole country; secondly, a peaceful dis
solution of the Union by recognizing the
independence of these States as they refuse
to remain in the Union without such con-
stitutional amendments as will secure their
rights, and the establishment of liberal
system of commerce and social intercourse
with them by treaties of commerce and
amity; and, thirdly, war, with view to
their subjugation, and military occupation
of those States which have seeded, and
may secede from the Union. The sooner
the choice is made the better for you, and
for every friend OF liberty and constitutional
government throughout the world. The
first proposition is the best, and the last is
the worst.
MIR. Douglas proceeded to argue IN favor
OF the first proposition, saying that if the
proper amendments be made, the Border
States will remain with US, and the Gull
States return. He congratulated the Re.
publicans that in organizing governments
for Nevada, Colorado and Dacotah, they
omitted the Wilmot Proviso, thus abandon>
ing their aggressive policy in the Terrific
ries. They had come over to him. [ (he
said) receive you with kindness. Laughter.
l welcome you. l forgive your acts of un-
kindness and insults and ISLANDERS heaped on
my devoted head. 1t is our duty to adopt
such amendments to the constitution as will
insure domestic tranquility, and give equal.
ity to all the States of the Union. Do this
and the Union will be restored and pre-.
served to all generations.