The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-28
Thirty-seventh Congress.
FIRST SESSION.
WARRINGTON, February ~

cation signed by the Cabinet, that in view
of the recent affection of the President the
illumination be omitted.
Mr.. Hale offered resolution expressing
the sympathy of the Senate, and requesting
the Commissioner of the Public Buildings
to omit the illumination.
Mr.. Nelson from the Military Committee
reported back the bill for the better organ
ization of the medical staff.
Also the bill relating to certain Railroads
in Missouri.
The Senate then took recess for half an
hour, after which it was again called to
order when message was received from
the House, that they were ready to receive
the Senate, whereupon the Senate proceeded
in body to the House.
After the proceedings in the House, the
Senate adjourned until Monday.
HousE.-The House of Representatives
being the great scene of attraction, as early
as half past nine o'clock, the galleries set
apart for the public were densely crowded,
while the doors leading thereto were blocked
with standing occupants.
The portions of the gallery reserved for
the families of the diplomatic corps, and
those of other invited spectators, and of
members of Congress were filled.
Immediately over the speakers chair was
a large painting of Washington, surmount-
ed by a great eagle, and over this golden
starred American flag, while from each of
the upper corners of the painting hung
banners of O smaller pattern.
Crowds continued to penetrate the Cap
itol, and many persons were unable to OBJ.
tain admission at all.
At IL o'clock the speaker called the
House to order, when the journal of yes
terday was read.
At the request of the speaker the mem.
bers proceeded to occupy seats on the left
of the Hall, leaving the three front circles
for invited guests.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri made a sugges-
ton that ladies in the lobbies be admitted
to unoccupied spaces on the floor.
The Speaker requested those in the gal.
leries to preserve order, saying that if de
corum should be violated it would become
his disagreeable duty to have them cleared.
Mr.. Crittenden said that the joint reso-
ution relative to the celebration did not
contemplate the presentation of flags. He
therefore moved that this be omitted as q
part of the ceremonies.
Mr.. Lovejoy supposed from the general
tenor of Mr.. Crittenden's remarks that he
would not oppose what any military author
ity desired, and this flag presentation had
been arranged by the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Dawes inquired how could the flag
be presented if Congress will not take them.
He did not propose to magnify the rebel
flags in this way, and hoped they would re-
specially decline to receive them.
Mr.. Campbell said these were trophies
won by our troops and brave soldiers in
holly contested battles. He would not
magnify the flags, but would magaify the
deeds of our armies. He trusted those
badges or flags would be received with re.
spect.
MIR. Roscoe ConkliDg remarked that
those flags were not trophies to be treated
either with respect or consideration by the
Government. He submitted that they
were badges or tokens carried by armed
rebels-men red handed with the murder OF
citizens, of their cOuntrymen, who were not
entitled to possess Or carry any flag, and
men whom we do not recognize in any ma
tional aspect. Suppose there had occurred
here riot of formidable dimensions, and
the municipal authorities had succeeded IN
quelliDg it, and that at meeting OF the
common council it should be proposed that
public assemblage should be called to
receive the flags or tokens of the conspira>
tors. Did any one suppose they could be
received with self respect or public decency.
If not, why should Congress accept the
presentation OF these flags? They were
nothing more than tokens coming SIM
ply from rebels, and of no national stand
ing.
lie would go as lar as any other gentle~
man in this House or cut Of It in his res
pect and and admlratiOl OF those who have
left their homes to sustain on distant battle
fields the existence of this Government, but
be wished on this occasion to act in q map-
ner consistent with self respect and official
propriety.
Mr.. Campbell presuming that his pre-
vious remarks had been misunderstood pro-
ceeded to explain.
MIR. Lovejoy caused to be read law of
4O14 duu 1910 tO Tue euecC tnaC the Secfe-
tary of War and the Secretary of the Navy
be directed to cause to be collected and
transmitted to them all flags, banners and
colors which may have been taken from the
enemy and them, together with those in
these departments, be delivered to the Pres.
ident for the purpose of being displayed in
such public places as he may deem proper.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a.
SENATE. Mr.. Wilkinson presented q
memorial from the Minnesota Legislature,
asking grant of land for railroad from
st. Paul to Lake Superior.
Mr.. Wilmot thought that the Senate
should act on the bill for the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia. That
covers the whole ground. She Senate
would be more derelict in its duty than any
other body of men if it adjourned without
abolishing slavery in the District.
Mr.. King presented memorial from
ship owners and builders in New York,
stating that there was scarcity in ship
timber, owing to large orders from abroad,
and asking that the expectation of ship
timber be prohibited during the war.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, of Missouri,
the joint resolution 10 relation to certain