The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18

and be resumed in Committee of the
Whole oo aaed qgef dig sg59fIl3 rua TOD
Mr.. Stevens motion was disagreed o.57
against 81. .y,sIaG{A g gl.9
The bill came up in Committee ofthe
Whole. a06f mo, ...t- 'e. mgo9 rst}
Mr.. Nixon of New jersey. was 10 favor
of the general provisions Of the bill now
pending before the committee, recognizing
the express constitutional power to abolish
slavery here and making just compensation
to the owners. 1t was time for the people
of the South and European nations to un-
derstand that the people of the North are
earnest in this matter. Before they will
submit to the triumph of this rebellion they
will, should the necessity of the war so re
quire it, arm every slave of rebel masters,
drive the rebels beyond their borders and
hold the territories for the home OF the lib.
Grated negroes. 1t was the worst possible
time that such action should be attempted.
1t was not dreamed of when Maryland and
Virginia coded the District that Congress-
would ever exercise such power. Why ina
crease agitation at time when our armies
are so successfully engaged in bringing, he
trusted, the war to speedy conclusion?
Mr.. Bingham replied, contending that no
time Was inauspicous for doing justice, and
for removing the odium of shame and dis.
grace which had too long been attached to
the letter and spirit of the constitution
which had been violated here in the very
heart OF the republic.
Mr.. Riddle and Mr.. Hutchins, both of
Ohio, obtained permission to print their re-
marks 10 favor of this bill without previ-
ously delivering them. The general debate
was closed by vote of the House.
Mr.. Cradlebaugh offered an amendment
so as to make the bill apply to the emanci>
patton of the white slaves in the territories.
1t should not be confined to persons of AT
rican blood. Slavery in the District of
Columbia was nothing to be compared with
that which exists in some of the territories.
MIR. Lovejoy said the amendment was not
appropriate, as it was proposed to strangle
the bill now before them. The amendment
was rejected. Mr.. Wright offered pro.
vso requesting the President to issue pro.
clamation for special election, majority
of the legal voters being requested to affirm
and ratify the act. Mr.. Wright's amend.
ment was rejected.
Mr.. Wadsworth unsuccessfu!ly sought to
amend the tax second section, arguing that
Congress cannot discriminate between 10y
al and disoyal men in making compensa-
tion for slaves.
Mr.. Biddle opposed the bill as inexpedi-
ent and inopportuDe.
Mr.. Dunn expressed his establishment
that any member should wish to pass it
through without affording an opportunity
to offer amendments to measure of such
Importance
Mr.. Harding moved to strike out the
proviso that the eutire sum appraised and
apportoned shall not exceed in the aggre.
gate an amount equal to $500 for each per-
son shown to have been so held by lawful
claim. He said there was a strange and
unusual haste manifested for the passage of
this bill.
Mr.. Loveloy expressed his desire to
speak.
MIR. Harding replied when the gentleman
gets sober on the question will hear him
with pleasure.
Mr.. Lovejoy said be asked no courtesy Of
the gentleman.
Mr.. Harding concluded, after which Mr..
Lovejoy spoke of robbing slaves of their
rights, and said every one has been robbed.
He expended his five minutes in speaking
of what is termed the sublimity of infamy.
Mr.. Harding's amendment was rejected
Mr.. Wickliffe offered an amendment to
strike out the clause against excluding
witnesses on account of color, saying this
was contrary to the law of the District.
Mr.. Stevens said that was an outrageous
law; man of credit, whether black or
white, ought to be witness.
Mr.. Wicklfe's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Dunn said it was the determination
of some gentlemen to pass the bill, no mat,
ter how imperfect it was. There was
higher tribunal than this, the American
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