The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-18

their recreancy does mot excuse the body of
the Republicans. Nor do know that now,
since the collapse of the rebellion, they are so
anxious to be excused 1only write the facts |
of history, not to justify or Condemn.
When this result was announced universal |
gloom prevailed. The people favored this |
Compromise. Petitions BY Thousands of citi- |
gems were showered upon Congress for it's pas. |
sage. Had it received q majority only. thev |
would have rallied and sustained those who |
desired peace and union.
One more earnest appeal was made to the |
Republicans. Gen. Cameron answered it by |
moving ! reconsideration. His melton came i
up on the 18th, when he voted against his own
motion. It was carried, however, over thu
votes of the Republicans, although Wlgfau
voted with them. When it was again up, on
the ID of March. 1851. the Southern States
were nearly all gone; even then 1t was lost oy
one vote only. But on that occasion az tne
Democrats were for, and all the kepuDncans
against it. The truth il, there was nothing Dut
sneers and scepticism from the Republicans
at any settlement. They broke down every
proposition. They took the elements OF con-
citation oat OF the Peace Convention De.oiS !.
were especially active In preparing that Con-
gress for a failure. # every Southern man
and every Northern Democrat had voted tor
this proposition, it would have required some
nine Republicans for the requisite two thirds.
Where were they2 Dreaming with Mr.. sew
ara OF sixty days struggle, or arranging for
trstion. The only sns southern senators ems who
seemed against any settlement were Iverson
and Wigfan that no man win challenge If he
will refer to the Globe C1st part, thirty-fth
Congress, p. 270) for the testimony Of Douglas
and Pugh, and to Mr.. Biglers Bucks county
speech, September 18th, 1868. The latter
knew it to be true when he said that
When the struggle was ct Its height IN
Georgia between Robert Toombs for secession
and A. b. Stephens against IL, had those men
in the Committee Of Thirteen, who are now so
blameless in their own estimation, given us
their votes, or even three of them, Stephens
would have defeated Toombs, and secession
would have been prostrated: I heard Mr..
Georgia was staked on the action Of the Com
mittee of Thirteen. If it accepted the Critten-
den proposition, Stephens would defeat him ;
If not, he would carry the State out by 40, 600
majority. The three votes from the Repub-
lican side would have carried it any time; but
Union and peace in the balance against the
Chicago platform were sure to be found want
If other testimony were wanting, / would
ask q suspension Of Judgment until those facts,
better known to S0uthern men, transpire.
The intercourse about to be re-established be-
tween the sections win accumulate the proof
It win Also bring to the light many facts show.
ing that, while President Buchanan was work.
ing for the Peace Conference, while Virginia
had been gained to our side with her ablest
men, there were even then In that Cabinet
those who not only encouraged revolt, but
foiled by letter and speech the efforts Of the
UniOnists at Washington and Richmond.
Those who sought to counteract the schemes
of secession were themselves checkmated by
men now in authority. These letters and acts
are referred to in the recent speech Of General
Blair. They win be and ahould be brought
into the sunshine, If only to Vindicate the true
Union men of that dark hour. and to condemn
these who have since made 60 much pretensiou
with 90 much zeaiotry, coupled with unex.
ampled cruelty and tyranny.
Whether, therefore, you consult the pnblie
record, or 60 beyond its vail and consult those
who knew the elements at work In the com
mittees and In social life, one leading fact al
ways stands stark and bold before you; that
with the all Of handful Of secessionists per se,
the whole body of the Republicans were, a
President johnson described Senator Clark,
when he defeated the Crittenden resolution by
his amendment, acting out their policy" In
the light of subsequent events that policy was
developed; it was the destruction of slavery at
the peril of war and disunion; or, asf Senator
Douglas expressed it, " q disruption Of the I'm
ion, believing 1t would draw after it, as an in
evitable consequence, civil war, servile insur.
rections, and finally the utter determination of
slavery in all the Southern States"