Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-02
Senator Wade's Speech.

The Senate chamber was the centre
of attraction in the morning, and when
the hour for business arrived there
was not an available inch of room in
the galleries. After a petition or two
had been presented, Senator Wade
took the floor, and after introducing an
amendment to the Constitution de-
claring the President ineligible to Of
flee, began to speak in his characteris-
tic manner. AS his remarks were
almost an arraignment of President
Johnson, and as he represents those
most bitterly opposed to the veto
message, | give report of them:
"In offering this resolution | will
state that it is no new idea of mine,
for | have been an advocate of it for
many years. And have decided on
the veny strong impression | have on
the subject by very careful observa-
tion of the workings of our govern
ment through such periods as have
been an observer of it. [ believe ii
has been very rare that we have been
able to elect a President of the United
States who has not been tempted to
use the vast powers entrusted to him
according to his own opinions to ad-
vance his reelection, and when | say
it of the Presidents who have preceded
US, | say it in no attempt to depreci.
ate the merits Of these men, because
the Constitution places before them
temptations which we can hardly ex
pect that human nature will resist, and
in the long run, Sir, it never will re-
sit. Early in the history of our gov
ernment Washington himself, W h G
was exceedingly sagacious in the work
ing Of the government, informed us
that it was his opinion that here was
a weakness that ought to be remedied
He saw it early. He saw that MAI
entrusted with these more than rega
powers during the period he is Presi
dent might be tempted to use then
for his advancement aiterward; anC
almost all the Presidents since have
felt the necessity of some such check
upon personal ambition. 1t is the
injunction of more than human wis
dom to be relieved from these tempta
tions. We might trace this, had we
time, through preceding administra
tions, and we should find that this in
huence weighed like gravitation upoI
the mind OF almost every Presiden
we ever had. How is it, sir, in the
present case? | have no doubt tha
the present Chief Magistrate came in
to his office while he was perfectly
single in his mind and sincere anC
truthful in his opinions. What were
some of these opinions Why, sir
he spoke and recited it every day fol
two months that treason was a great
crime; that it ought to be punished
that it must be rendered odious; ant
that he was the man to do this. HI
said it to every delegation that wait
ed upon him until the words became
stereotyped in the minds of the whole
people. How, Sir, has he performed
that pledge? Has he punished any
body? Why, Sir, we have the unheart
OF spectacle of one OF the greatest re
belilons that ever cursed mankind
involving more people, more lives
more expense than all the rebellion
that have ever occurred in history
: and yet, Sir, no man has been pun
ished i'll consequence of it Some
thing is wrong. Ii this is all righ
then the whole system OF penitentiarie
throughout the Union ought to be abo
lshed, Sir, the President was righ
when he said that treason was a grea
crime aud ought to be rendered odiou.
} Why did he not carry out this declar;
, lion? What mas occurred to chang
) MS position Oh this question? | WI
: not say that this ambition which ha
r tempted ali who have gone befor
: him weighed upon his mind to temp
: MIN, but it is exceedingly singular thu
: so lar from rendering treason odiol
) Dy punishment, he has hoisted into th
n most exalted positions many of tt
: reading traitors in the South. WI
h else, in any period OF the world
1 history ever thought Of taking rebe
G red with the blood OF his cOuntryme
It and pacing him in the position OF 10
t ernOr of a State-a Governor OF