New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-06-29
n U NJ D E X XI.

Mr.. Benjamin is flanked on his right by the Hon
Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio Mr. Wade is one of the
most bitter Freesoiers in the Senate-the counterpart
of his colleague, Giddings, in the House. With less
of ability than Others of his party, he has yet far
more of zeal. He is distinguished also from his poll
tical associates by having, it is said plenty of per-
sona pluck The other Freesoilers are mostly ayowed
non.combattnts-but Wade, it is understood rather
enjoys scrimmage than otherwise. In his speech in
the Sumner case he intimated that any who felt
disposed to cudgel him might come on. He would
give them the best fight he had in him.
In personal appearance, the contrast is a striking
one between him and his colleague, Mr.. Pugh Pugh
is young man and STRIPPING while Wade is rather
advanced in years, of heavy build, and a rough
personnel generally. Pugh is always neatly dressed
and looks clean, while Wade apparently gives little
attention to his wardrobe. stranger would be ant
to take him for a Hard-Shell. Baptist preacher.
His hatred of slavery goes beyond that of several
OF his party associates. He is not content with re-
stricting to its present limtsbut would egislate
so as to bring about its gradual extinction The Fu
gtve Slave law he considers one of the greatest in
iquities ever perpetrated. The harboring and con-
cealing of fugitive slave he esteems a pous and
Christian duty suspect, at his home in Ohio he is
an active agent of the underground railroad
Intellectually, he cannot be compared to his col.
eagne, Pugh While Pugh's speeches are distin
guished by logical vigor and searching analysis,
wade generally consist of empty defamation His
speech on the Kansas question displayed some labor
and research but contained nothing hold or striking.
He has recently been reelected to the Senate, and
may be considered life member
Next to him sits the Hon. Robert Toombs, of Geor-
! 'ka tt,o1L NJ
all. Originally Wing, he was one of the most vio-
lent and abusive opponents OF the Democratic party
but, like most converts he has illustrated his zeal
since his conversion, by an enthusiastic support of
Democracy. In 1852 he could not sustain Gen Scott
from suspicion of his soundness on Southern Rights;
hut he found no difficulty in sustaining Buchanan in
1856. He even made pilgrimage to the North some
where to lecture on the beauties of Democracy.
As Senator, he stands very well. His vanity de-
stroys somewhat his reputation for abty-and his
a1ectation OF independence is sometimes amusing.
To think precisely as anybody else does, on any sub
ject, appears to be, with Toonbs, dreadful circum
stance. Even when apparently his mind is made up,
he will gently insinuate a doubt here, or enter
caveat there, so as to have his position in some re-
spect different from that of others. member of the
Judiciary Committee, numbering on it such men as
Butler, ,Push and Geyer, it rarely he agreed with
them. He seeks to be leader Under no crcum.
stances will he consent to be follower
His speeches are generally well worth listening to,
though sometimes intermnably long How many
different speeches he made on the Naval Board ques-
ton, it would take mathematician to calculate How
many he made in opposition to internal improvement
bills may not be enumerated In fact, he would have
his say about nearly every question that came up,
and he would not venture his opinions modestly, but
would assert them in an abrupt, dogmatic tone, as
who should say, " contradict me if you dare His
sentences are always short and emphatic but his
ideas appear to be confused, and his language muddy
Did he speak with the eearness and precision of Mr.
Crittenden or Mr.. Benjamin, he would perhaps be
equally As acceptable orator for his person is
large and commanding, his manner agreeable, and his