The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11

party is denounced in consequence Of the
mere emanations Of . single individual, who
10 tar 10 advance OF any Of his political par
ty. The conduct OF the Government has
been eminently lenient. he referred to the
case at Columbus, Ohio, where slaves were
held by prisoners from Fort Donelson, the
same az if they were in Tennessee. He re-.
ferred to the meeting to reorganize the
Democratic party, at which the Senator
from Virginia was said to have been pres.
emit.
Mr.. Garlic, Of Virginia, Union. IF
my friend will allow me, so far as had any
connection with that meeting, l am ready
to explain. l signed q paper here at my
desk, handed me by some one, without
looking further than to see that the object
was for some gentlemen to meet at the
room of q member of Congress, at hotel
in this city, for the purpose of conference.
No action looking to party organization
was bad, so far as my knowledge extends
There was free interchange Of opinions
among gentlemen who were there, and
whom I was glad to see. So far as could
ascertain, there was determination ex.
pressed to support the Administration in
all proper efforts to suppress this rebellion,
maintain the Constitution and restore the
Union. If there was anything concluded
upon, I think that was the conclusion at
which that conference arrived. Resolutions
had been prepared, or when l went 10,
understood were in course of preparation.
but know of no resolution that has been
adopted and sent forth by that meeting to
the country. do not think the conference
can be justly chargeable with being an eff
fort to organize party movement in oppo.
siti0n to the constitutional efforts now beng
made to restore the Union.
Mr.. Latham said that be also was at the
conference and there was nothing like party
organization talked of.
Mr.. Sherman contended that it was time
the Republican party had definite policy.
1t must have such policy if it would
STAND. 1t must stand by all its pledges to
the people and the States. He was also in
favor of the resolution in accordance with
the Presidents message. 1t would not in
terfere in any way with the States. II be
was member of Slave State be would
raise the banner of emancipation and never
lower it till it was secured, as mere mat
ter of interest and pecuniary benefit to bis
State. But there was higher reason than
that. Slavery is wrong. This is the opin-
ion of all the civilized world except the
South. He was bound by constitutional
objections not to attem)t to aid the States
to emancipate their slaves till they should
ask for it, and then he was willing to do it
to the last dollar. He thought it was the
duty Of the Republican party to 60 against
all unconstitutional and unnecessary mea.
sures, hence he was astonished at the reso
lutions of the Senator from Massachusetts
(Mr. Sumner.) He could see no distinction
between them and the doctrines of JEFF. Da-
Wis, for the resolutions of the Senator (Sum.
ner) substantially acknowledge the right OF
the States to secede, which would be utter
ly su5versive of the Government. He
(ShermaD) would adopt the policy of con
fiscating the property OF all the leaders OF
this rebellion. He would grant an amnes
ty to the great masses, but show no me roy
to the leaders.
Mr.. Grimes of Iowa, (Rep.) wanted to
know if it was understood that the slaves
now retained for the use of the prisoners at
Columbus, were transported and fed at the
Government expense.
Mr.. Sherman said that he did so state
and the Clerk read part of the report oil
the Committee of the OHIO Legislature that
the rebel officers sent there on parole by
General Halleck, came wearing side arms
and registering their names at hotels as
Colonies, &C., G. s. A., went into the thea
tire and Legislature, where they were invited
to seats within the bar, all of whom were
expressing rebel sentiments, &c.
The question was then taken on the pas
sage of the resolution:
YEAS Messrs. Anthony, Browning, Chand-
Ter, Clark, Collamer. Davis, Dixon, Doolittle,
Fessenden, Foo:e. Foster, Grimes, Hale, Har
Ian, Henderson, Howard, Howe, King, Lane
of Indiana. Lane of Kansas, Morrill,. pOmeroy,
Sherman, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Thomson, Trum.
bull, Wade, Wilkinson, Wiley, Wimot, Viii.
son of Massachusetts-32.
Nays -Messrs. Bayard, Carlisle, Kenned v
Latham. Nesmith, Powell, salisbury, Stack,
Wilson of Missouri, Wrighr--lO.