The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-02-11
senator wade on the OHIO RcsOiu-
tions--Plain Talk About the Press
ident.


Quo LvolsLATuae ON KANSAS
Mr.. Pugh-l present resolutions o the GEN
eral Assembly Of Ohio, relative to the alftits OF
the Territory OF Kansas As my colleague
wishes TO make some remarks upon them, move
that they lie upon the table, aud b, printed,
Mr Wade-=Mr. President do not propose
to make any extended remarks on those very ex-
traorltnary resolutions at this or at any time
but they are extraordinary in their character
incougruous in themselves anl, fear, not very
reputable to the State.
Mr Hale-Let them be read.
The Vice Pretident Secretary will read
the resolutions
The Secretary read them.
Mr Wade--Mr. President, have said that
feared these resolutions Were not reputable, b..
canse they do not speak out with that manly
Independence with which the Legislature OF a
sovereign State should ever speak upon any aues-
tion sufficiently important 20 elicit their obser
walton at all. Why do they so on to indorse the
President and say that they have special conf
dence in his Administration, aud pledge them
selves to support every jot and title Of that
Administration, when they intend finally TO
instruct us here to 60 against the only sueat dar.
ling measure the Administration has ever pre-.
sented? Why could they not have come direct.
ly to the question at issue, aud with that calm
dignity which becomes sovereign State, declare
aud announce their purpose, and their instruc.
tionSand thelrwi, in reference to any ma tier rpen.
ding here which il became the duty OF the repre-.
sentatves To act upon1 Why must they 90
crouching like miserable slaves to an Admins.
tration, and hypocriticaly declare that they
have the fullest confidence in all its measures
while II was the purpose aud end of their rrso-
luttonS, that with a stern dett rmination their
representatives. here should beard him, aud on.
pose him tn the death on his one great darling
measure They are disreputable, because they
have never spoken Out like men conscious OF
| their Independence.
| did not rise for the purpose Of arguing the
reasons that led 20 their inttructinc us NJ all
they have been argue by Others in my iudg
meht, the QUESTION Is not u debatsbie one. |
never proposed to debate at all. II is no less
| than this: The President, in his message an
nounces a determination not only to prohibit he
people Of a Territory from making the Constitu
ton under which they are to live but that il il
his purpose to force upon them one m ,de by
| their enemies and sought TO be crammed down
their ,throats, ii necessary, With Federal bay.
onets. When such proposition as that is
made leave Others 10 debate il. This issue was
joined in tha Revelation, an the argument was
made on Bunker Hill; and propose, |! it
comes to that. tn resume tha sam argument
where our fathers left it. Ii will not bsar an
argument at all. When any portion of the
| American people are So lost to all spirit tha,
they would Tor one moment stiul on to argue n
question of this kind, their liberties are not
worth preserving. | donul rise to argue such a
question as that; but ii was such question,
looming up IN the distance, that attracted the
attention of the Ohio Legislature, and led to
the making of these instructions. Of. ..
The Flct President = Ths Senator will nd
! his remllks for moment. The Chair, under the
rule, must announce that the hour has arrived
for the consideration of the sprciul order.
Mr Wade--l have nothing furtn,r to sav OF
any consequence, shall MT take more than le Y
| minutes
The Vice Ptsideat BY unrumlus consent
the Senator will proceed.
Several Senators - Go on
Mr.. Wdde-l am adm1nishcd to keep cool
daughter but this is not question that is cal
1 culated to preserve the coolness OF any man
VINO mas, IN my judgment, ii proper sense Oft
dignity OF an American citiz,n, or tn, dignity o
a sovereign State.
SIl, have said agoUl deal on this door agains
slavery do not like slavery or oppres ion il
any form whatever; but | will say TO the South
you hare not or your plantation, in my iudg
ment, more craven spirited set of people thar
!, those who have passed those resolutions
L'uSntSr' Charity b Sias at hom'. and yot
may reply To M, You have slavery i'm TN,
State oi Ohio" God knows we have. II,,nyhtcr,
These inca instruct us TO speak for tn, brave
SNnerous people OF the State of Ohio Crouch
inS miserable slaves themselves they assume tC
speak Tor treemen AMI to frecmen OF conrs,
they need not instruct me how TO yot, or how
TO act on this question.
Mr.. President, bbwing the proud head OF
f sovereign State, they descend 10 speak of part,
Pat'orns, TO which they show their devotion
should not have alluded to party policy /,
cOnDpc ION with tla cts nf 81
u these resolutions had not introduced the sab
lect' why, sir, did they step side from tn
legitimate business, TO re indorsA what they cal
:" The CIncbaIi platfom7' Is that in acc jrdaac
with the dignity OF a sovereign State, when sh,
undertakes to instruct her representatives. an,
Senators in relation to their duty h,rc?
, They show their devotion, too, to tn. Execu
+ tive Why, sir, il he shall prtsist in wha
they intimate is his purpose and intention, h.
Is tyrant and deserves the lrowns and repro
: bailons of every man. They tell Us they hav,
the utmost condolences III the Executive, aud tha
they Will adhere To all his measures yet in IN
next place, they tell US that what he is allen OF
lnS TO do Is unfortunate that il tends to ,
oretclI OF the peace, aud TO stir up cIvl war;
lhey do not lose their confidence IN him; the,
say they have Ihe utmost conidencs in hi
aoiilty hnl integrity that they adhere to oil
his mrasures any then they instruct US to throw
MS message In MS lace. | am ready to do il
Sir Laughter.l Unfortunately il was that tn,
attempt was made to frame Constitution behint
the back of people, and to fassen il upor
Ihrr necks without their assent. They sa,
that this was unfortunate and that il is "un
fortunate also, in the President to annouRce i
as his purpose TO carry out the fraudulent design
Yes sir, II was exceedingly" unfortunate." Wa
II uot a. tie more than unfortunate, If tn,
President OF the United States is responsible
| do not know that he is considered RESPONSE oil
Tor his acts; but we will hold thoss response
BILE who act upon his Suggestions. and go for
ward to fastsn on the neoks of unwilling peo ole
, constitution with the making OF which the,
, have had nothing to do. On that principle oI
d law which holds every man responsible 70
committing crime th;olgh an irresponsible,
> sg1nt, We mold them responsible II, indeed
} The President Is uniortnnat4 in not having IN,
) spirit AMI power TO dictots his own measures
then we will hold them responsible Tor his act