Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-02-10
SENATOR WADE's REMARKS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 97, 1858.

SENArE.-Mr. Pugh (Ohio) presented
the joint resolutions OF the Legislature of
Ohio.
Mr.. Wade (Ohio) declared that they
were disreputable in their character.
At the impatient demand Of several
Senators, they were read. They express
their entire confidence in the integrity OF
the present Chief Magistrate, and say
that the administration commands their
cordial and undivided support. They
re affirm the doctrine cf the Cincinnati
platform; regard the refusal of the Lee
compton Constitution 10 the people as
unfortunate for the peace Of that country;
declare it to be their unalterable judy
ment that every Constitution Of every
new State Of the Union, unless otherwise
directed by the people, ought 10 be sub
mitted to the bona tfde electors of such
Territory for approval or rejection. and
conclude by instructing the Senat RS and
requesting the representatives of Ohio to
vote against the admission of Kansas un-
der the Lecompton Constitution. or any
other not the clearly expressed will of
the people.
Mr.. Wade remarked that the reason
why he stigratized the resolutions as
disreputable was that they did not speak
ou, with the manly Independence with
which the Legislature of a sovereign
State could always speak upon any ques-
tion of sufficient impol tance for express
sing any opinion at all. These resolutions
endorse the President, and pledge their
authors to support every jot and title Of
the Administration, when they intend to
conclude by instructing their Senators to
go against the only great and daring
measure which the Administration has
presented. Why not come directly TO
the question at issue, and with calm dig
nifty which becomes sovereign State de-
clare and announce their purposes and
their will? Why go crouching like mis-
erable slaves TO the administration. and
hypocritically declare that they have the
fullest confidence in it when they mean
to end by declaring their stern determin
alton to oppose the only important meas
ure it ha, brought forward.
The President not only announces his
determination not to allow the people Of
Kansas to make their own Constitution,
but to force upon them one made by
their enemies, and compel obedience to
it at the point of the bayonet. Mr..
Wade proposed, if it should come TO
that to resume the same argument where
our fathers left it. The South had not
upon their plantations more craven
spirited set OF people than those who
passed these resolutions Lau ghter. OF
course there was no necessity of instrue-
ting him how to vote. Renewed Laugh
ter. If the executive should persist in
in this policy, he was a tyrant, and de-
served the frowns and reproaches Of
every man. The resolutions call his
policy unfortunate, but he called it
downright knavery and tyranny. which
demanded not argument, but action.-
1t tenders 10 break the peace and stir up
civil war. Notwithstanding all this.
they do not lose their confidence in him,
we instruct you to throw his message in
his face: and for one he (Wade) was
ready to do it. [Laughter.] The res
olutions were not the voice of the people
of Ohio. and met no sympathy or
acquiescence from the Republican party.
They were crowded down the throats Of
the Republicans in the Ohio Legislature
by cowardly majority, under tine gag
rule, because they dare not face the
scorn and contempt which would have
been heaped upon them. Had they per-
milted the liberty of speech the brave
and generous people of Ohio would have
spoken out directly without catering TO
the favor Of any man-bodily and inde-
penden;ly would they have pronounced
their will. The resolutions were passed
under the statement that haste was in
dispensible. and yet more than ten days
had elapsed, during which time they
have slept in some mans breeches pock-
ct. He was willing to go with the Leg
islature and resist to the death the at
tempt to force the Lecompton COnsti;u
ton. or any ether Constitution, not the
will of the people. upon them. This is
the first attempt since the American Rev
olulion 10 take away the liberties Of the
people, and it must be the last.