The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
Thirty-Seventh Congress,
10 FIRST SESSION.

MIR. Ten Eycke offered resolution, that
the present war is for the Union according
to the Constitution; that the object of the
war is to save the former and enforce the
latter; that it was go in the beginning and
should be so till lost; that measures extreme,
radical and disruptive in themselves, in,
volving in common fate the loyal and dis.
loyal, should not be resorted to, and that in
suppressing treason, the Government cannot
prove traitor to the original law of the
land. Laid over.
Mr.. Hale offered resolution, that the
Committee on Military Affairs enquire into
the expediency of providing uniform mana
ner for dealing with the slaves of the rebels
and those made prisoners or escaping from
their masters. Agreed to.
Mr.. Lane of Indiana offered resolution,
that the Committee on Judiciary be re-
quested to provide law 90 that the aiders
OF treason may be prevented from bringing
suits for the collection of debts in the courts
of the United States. Agreed to.
Mr.. Sumner offered resolution, that the
Committee of Patents enquire if any addi-
tiOnal legislation is necessary to secure per.
SONS of African descent the right to take
out patents. Agreed to.
Mr.. Wilkinson offered tie following pres
amble and resolution:
Whereas, Jesse D. Bright, Senator from In
diana, did on the LIST of March last, write let
ter to jeff. Davis, "a letter was here ready in
PRODUCING Mr.. Lincoln to Mr.. Davis, as hav.
ing an improvement in firearms, and,
Whereas, Such letter is evidence of disloy-
atty, therefore,
I'll N
from the Senate of the United States.
Mr.. COwan moved a reference of the
subject to the Committee on Judiciary.
HoUsE.-A personal explanation occur
red between Conway and Fouke, during
which Conway charged Fouke with de-
liberate purpose to bring about personal
collision without cause, and asked whether
such conduct was not only unworthy mem
Der of this House, but characteristic rather
OF blackguard and scOundrel. Sensa-
ton.
Mr.. Fouke wanted to say one word in
reply.
Mr.. Stephens and others objected. They
had had enough of such things.
The Speaker informed Mr.. Fouke that
no debate was in order.
MIR FOuke, amid the cries of order, was
understood to say, that MIR. Conway was a
disgrace to the nation and humanity. There
the matter ended in the House.
The House passed the bill to strike out
from the pension roll the names of all per
sons WHO have taken up arms against the
Government, or in any manner aided the
rebellion.
WASHINGTON, December II.
SENATE.--A bill was received from the
House to authorize the raising of voIun-
teer force for the defence of Kentucky. On
motion of Mr.. Howell it was referred to
Militia Committee.
Mr.. Sumner presented several petitions
for emancipation OF slaves of rebels.
Mr.. Wilson reported bill for an increase
of the number OF cadets at West Point
Mr.. Latham offered a resolution that the
Secretary of War be requested to inform
the Senate by virtue of wnat law and what
reason passports are required from passen-
ger from New York to San Francisco,
which was agreed to.
MIR. Sherman offered a resolution that the
Secretary of War be requested to furnish
the Senate with copy of all cOrrespon-
dence between Gen. Scott and Gen. Patter-
son. Agreed to.
HoUsE.-Mr. Bingham from Judiciary
Committee, reported back the joint resolu-
ton directing and requiring the Provost
Court at Alexandria to retain and safely
keep in its custody any property taken as
that OF persons e0gaged in or aiding rebel
lion against the United States, until fur
Their action OF Congress touching the same.
The House resumed the consideration of
special order, being Mr., Elliot's resolution
proposing the emancipation OF slaves of
rebels, &c.
MIR. Harding OF Kentucky, invoked
calm and patriotic consideration OF the sub.
ject now before the House. 1t was with
the deepest pain that be witnessed the in
PRODUCTION OF the proposition at an early
period In the session and the attempt 10
pass it under the operation OF the previous
question. He thought that there was
disposition to exclude all reflection and re-
fusal to pause in the apparently mad career,
but when disposition was afterwards
shown to act vita elaboration, his hopes
revived. MIR. Harding then proposed to
elaborate the following points OF his oppo-
sition to the pending resolution.
First. We have no constitutional power
to pass them, Or any bills on the subject.
Second. He proceeded to show, from
cOpious extracts, that Congress, and the
President, and the Administration stand
pledged, in the most solemn and public man.
ner, against all interference with slavery !;
therefore, to sanction such policy would
be papable violation OF tine plighted
faith OF the Government.
Third. He opposed the resolutions be-
cause legislation on the subject is forbidden
by every principle OF sound policy.
Fourth. He opposed them and ali kin.
dred measures, because they would inaugu-
rate a war which would involve in its
horrors the loyal and the disloya, the inno-
cent and the guilty, and warfare disgrace.
full to any civilized and Christian nation.
In the course of his remarks he said this
war has nothing more to do with slavery
than with any other institution.
Let slavery alone ; it will take care Of
itself. He showed the injustice of divert.
ing the war from it's original design, name
~, the restoration of obedience to the Con.
L