The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-12-29
SPEECH OG HON. MR.. WADE.

The Resola ion of Mr. Mason, of Virgins
in relation to the Harper's Ferry affair, bein
under discussion, Mr.. W ade said:
l: was not ny intention, Mr.. President, t
say anything upon the subject of this reso
luton, until late yesterday, when my name,
believe, was called in question by one or ~
Senator's on this moor L made up my mind
on the introduction of this resolution, that
would vote for ii not, however, with tn
hope that any beneficial result would proba
bly, flow from it; for j; seemed TO me from tn
first that the only effect it would be likely Il
have would be 70 increase the state of excite
men. that seems already sufficiently strong 2
at least for all practical purposes. But up
on this resolution the whole subject of con
troYcrsy between the northern and southern
States has been discussed; aud | have been
alluded to In such terms | suppose renders
It almost essential that should say something
[ have no desire to speak frequently on this
most hackneyet subject | ha e not during
The whole line have had the honor OF a seat
here, been very forward in pressing my views
on this subject upon the Senate or the pub.
he; hIt when measures OF great public i'm
poFtaGce to the northern ). ties, as | deemed
them. were pressed upon our consideration
have been com elied to state the views
entertained upon them. L have not obtruded
myself upon the Senate, aud | am constrain
ed to speak now simply because of the allu-
slons which have been made to me in the
course Of the debate.
Ii was said by the mover of this resolution,
that one great object Of it was to elicit the
state OF northern feeling with regard to the
recent invasion at Harpcr's Ferry.
Mr. Mason. VIII the Senator indulge me
for moment?
The Vice President. Does tle Senator
from OHIO yield to the Senator from Vlr-
gnia?
Nj Wade. Certainly.
Mr.. Mason. That has been ascrhei to
me once or twice in the course of the d1bte,
perhaps upon both sides of the chamber. II
was misapprehension. dill not say, Or
mean 10 say, that any object Of Tie resolution
was 10 elicit the STA ae OF northern fe cling ii
reference 10 the occurrences Al il lFpeT's Fer
ry- Ny colleague may have sail something
Of thai sort. What did saw. and what |
design anl nope To ascertain by the invesfi-
CATION, /, to find our from what source the
funds aud the counsel were oblaIneI that led
or induced the ineuraion at Harp RS Ferry
L had reason to believe, and | have reason
10 beiievc that 1t came chiefly from the New
EnIland States,
Mr.. Wade. Mr. President. stand correct
ed IN that particultr. although | got tae i'm
preston that It was n part, and AN essential
part oi the desig gu OF the mover Of the reso-
luton, to Inquire into the state Of northern
teeItng OH that subject. 1t seems L was mis-
token. believe the colleague Of The Seua-
tor from Virginia, avowed that to be the Pr'h
cjpal obIec. OF the resolution. | had suppoS-
cd tia. it could not be very essential To ia
troiuce a resolution for tie purpose OF ascer-
tanning what pubic sentiment a the North
was on the subject of this invasion OF Har-
pers Ferry from any source whatever.
know very well llat for the basest political
purposes, the great and orershadowlnG par
ty TO which beOa-, has been charged with
completely in this affair; bat we have treated
the accusation wi scorn and contempt. We
who have not before been charged ostenslbly
with any crime whatever; we who have main
tainel peace aud gDoL oIdor, are all at once
charged il general terms, through some OF
the papers Of the North and the papers OF
the South. with bsinr parties to treason, mar
der and Stirring up insurrectlon. Ihe charge
is 50 entirely overs.rainej tina: | must say
it fell upon my ears without creating sin
Gle emotion. | care nothing about a charge
OF that kind, made il such general and sweep
ing terms.
Bat, Mc President. | know what the etfec
OF It may be in that part of the country where
there j. an acute jealousy existing as to tht
motives of northern men. The charge |:
made through the only papers :hat can react
the ears of the southern people, and where
no antIdote will b suffered to 20 IN order tt
explain public opinion. 1t seems 10 me thai
the Southern people are misguided upon thI
,abjeci; that they entertain the idea tha
Northern men. II considerable numbers, re
spectacle men, are concerned III some delo
crate conspiracy against their rights. Now
sir, | must say thai il sucl state OF feeling
does really exist there, the southern peopl
themselves are principally responsible 'or Il
They will sltfer NJ opInioa 10 De c.Fcutate'
among them unless they are first cut ami trim
med to their own pyeJui.ces. Ii norther
man goes down there and honestly svow
Iii opinions. he Is in peril of his HE; he
turned out Of anv southern State; his sent
fnentS, however honest, and his motives, how
er noble, will not eXculpate hIm from bein
an abolitionist, or something OF that ktnt
and he will be hurled out OF your States; an
vou. who speak ot the Observance OF const
tutional rights will YOU stand ny him ther
when he invohes the Constitution OF the l
tel Safes, 20 >nicld him from your unwa
raatable preiudices? Not At al. SIR. ID
will no more suiTer q northern man to circ'
late among vou, unless he leaves his manhoo
sai his Independence behind him. than Il
Chinese would suffer a stranger 10 lnva-
t4eir cities. I0u will not suffer the pape
1t great and all prevailing party II I
North, TO circulate among YOU, 50 that "
may learn the designs Of the party throue
hat source which carries lis intelligence
the parry IN the North.
Then. sir, can YOU but be delddeis
should suppose ii there was any danger
circulating incendiavy matter among the Pc
pie Of the South, that would be the mo
dangerous OF all which went TO teach Il
people there, that great party, conIrolhr
all the free States. were sympathIzing Wi
raids upon the South; were ready to lei
themselves 10 any uprising tha- might be :