The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-02-02
Mr.. Wade'S Speech.
Senator Wade of Ohio male q yiooro

Senator Wade of Ohio male vigorous
off-hand speech, last "Wednesday, on ths
general question of reconstruction. il
which he said -" think, sir, that | ca,
say with Paul, that 'we have fought q
good fight We are not entirely through
with it, admit. We may have Il little
further to 90 in the same direction, but
our path is fortunately easier than it has
been. Yes, sir, | keep the faith, and ]
have no doubt in Its final triumph.
never feared 1t, and never had the least
doubt how the whole thing would be set
/ tied, and it will all come ri ght if We are
( true to Cur convictions. | do not teal
my associates. either, in this great oueS-
ton; but there are things i'll my heart
that | cannot yet see clearly. l give the
Presidcn. full credit for all he has done.
and honor him for the manner lii which
he has insisted on the great guarantees |
have already alluded to. He has COM
menced, as it were, TO complete this great
arch OF freedom right. lie has laid the
foundation deep upon the road OF justice
right He has demanded that before the
law all men shall be equal He has de-
manded that slavery shall be abolished
| a"ree with him 50 far. and honor him
that lie stands firmly where he does. But,
sir, he has failed to put the keystone upon
the arch that he has built: and if you
leave it where it is, ii will 30 TO ruin. |
want, when this question is once settled,
TO he entirely done with it. | don't want
etcrnally to be fighting over the question
of slavery, and distinctions among the
l. .ht5 and privileges Of the American peo-
/ pie. Now, sir, say to President John
son, to the democratic party, and 10 the
people Of the United States. that will
not yield the controversy until all men in
Amcl'ic, shall stand upon an equal foot
ing-tqual before the law in cvcy respect. "
After alluding to the effort which had
been made to bring the authority of Great
nlmcs TO bcaI on the decision OF this
question. Mr.. Wade said:
:" >av to senators: Look 10 Yourselves
take counsel of Your own judgments
and YOUR own conScicncc>. and do your
duty t. Your country. and TO God Be
cau>e. If there ever WAS a question i'll
congress before that WAS peculiarly our
own. ii iS Thu. Where in the cnn-tltu-
ton DO YOU iimi that the President Is All
thcrizet To invoke or bring in the states
oi this Mon! and who but We the REL
rc>cniativc> of the people OF the United
States are sent here 10 do this We. M
der the constitution of The nitcl State
are the people and the only tribunal that
can settle the treat question of the ad-
mission OF II state We are the only mel
WHO ought i'll 4 tree Government 10 Jtcl;.r,
upon what principle any Stale omi>iic q
the government snail la admitted 10 it
! do not care, for That purpose. whether
i; j. a territory OF lhc United States. u
Wh,lhcr ii l. Il Stale tha; his iortcilc.
al right and ail ability 10 act ior ii
self. Ii does not belong 10 the Prc>i
dent of the nilel States. and If ii di,l
then the free government of which w,
boast 50 much would bc the most conccn
tr;Ited dc>poti>.n oi the earth. Now, Mr.
President. on The -ublc that the Pre>i
dent didn't touch. | have already sal.
here are 1000. 00o OF people u-tr:.cize,
from this government. 10 be made s.rt
forever. notwithstanding Your declaration
OF freedom. until you can find some MA
where liIi- right cui hc Guaranteed Mr.
President. | w,;S one ut iiio>,. who WAS ~
early advocate OF hrin@in- these colorc,
people into your army. invoking their al,
/, put down the rebellion. Over and oy
cr did urge it upon the executive tw,
years before it took effect. | feel. >ir
that according 10 the power with which
was invested l did rs much 4
lay in my power TO brin" the executiv
ami congress up 10 the work of invokin
and bringing to the ;iI OF the tmio
those coiortl people both III the army am'
navy, and every where else they have rs
sisted. Their employment in that capac
, ily entorcrS Oh me Il duty. Would len
, my voice and INV vote to induce that pee
!, pie TO leopard their lives in defense ,
+ their c0unirv. and then turn them over I
the mercy oi' tli,ir enemies! Sir. the ma
= who would 10 ii deliberately and know
; in@Iy Is the mcanc>t ot Gods creatures -