Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-30


MuEs 0'REHLY.
Laete, Private Forty seventh Regt New Yorl
Volunteer Infantry.
SPEECH or SENATOR WADE AT
MEMPHIS.
Notwithstanding bis determination no
70 make any speeches, touching politics, OF
the Congressional excursion, senator Wad.
was overoome at Memphis, and made th,
following response to ''the Congress OF tbs
United States Mr. Wade said:
Mn. President, LADIES AND GENTLE.
MES When I started upon this excursion
i was thoroughly understood by me, and
al who were associated with me. that no
speeches we're to be made We pledged
ourselves that We would make none. We
did not believe that this Southern climate
was ready for the discussion of this topic.
Ny purpose was in visiting this part Of the
country, 10 explore, as far rs il might be
done IN an excursion Of this kind, this vast
region which lies between the Potomac aud
the Gulf Of Mexico. ] never had been over
II, and ! was anxious 70 see a little Of the
outlines Of this country, az to its soil, its
climate and lis capabilities. II is true that
such an excursion gave but little opportu-
nifty for such an examination.
expect TO do but little in the way Of
politics. You have oomplimented by your
toast the Congress Of the United States. OF
which am ar humble member, and il would
be ungratefcl in me il did not return in
their behalf my sincere thanks 10 you for
the uniform hospitality we have received
on this excursion. We have not passed a
city, scarcely hamlet, bGt what the people
have turned out and by their boundless
hospitality made Us guests. ! am not one
Of those who deal in this as a pure matter
Of sentiment, for il Is frequently superin-
duced By good living, and passes off with
u. Laughter. Yet ] would rather sav
something, II ! must speak, that will test
the sincerity Of as all j know what YOU
want. You want to know what the temper
and disposition Of Congress is. TApplause.
You want 10 know something Of the minds
Of the people OF the North, whom they
represent; and therefore, / suppose il is.
that you have called lne out, as a member
Of that body, to give my views. Il is true
] am not authorized 10 speak for Congress
or for the people OF The United States.
am only one member Of that body.
have no new doctrine 10 preach. Sir nv
principles are the same in any latitude; II
you viii have me speak, | will speak pre-
ci7ely as IN Cincinnati, or any other city. |
A voice. "Thars right" You are anx-
i0us 10 know what that great body, having |
the destinies Of this nation, intends to do. |
Let me say TO you, in my judgment the des. |
TIMES Of this nation rightfully belong first |
70 the people, secondly to Congress "A their |
immediate representatives.. Ii there is !
anything the founders Of our government |
wanted 10 escape from, il was the despotism |
Of the one man power, and therefore they |
consigned the legislative powers Of this |
government, and thepowerto fix its policies. |
in the Congress Of the United States, and |
no where else. Applause.
Now let me say that / do know that the |
great body Of which am an humble men,
Der have no resentments toward the people /
Of any portion of this country. None AT
no vindictiye legislation. They will be
guided by their sens' Of secLrity and jus
tice; nothing else. There never was a
Congress selected since the constitution |
was framed in this country with more
definite purpose, and more thoroughly un-
derstood by the people, who have approved
Of all their acts, and they have commenced
upon the principle Of this present session,
aud they will take no step backwards |
This sentiment viii not be cheered here.
truth is truth; LET every man
Il. [Applause.l
] say TO you, ] might speak many plea
sant things in your ears, and / would be
rheered as ! went along, but 1 should leave
you withthe impression, perhaps, that had
made false impression upon your mind.
| never have deceived mortal man, and |
never will. lApPlause tell YOU Con-
yress did get up certain stated principles at
The last session with great unuanal deIibe-
ration; that they were careful in every
word and every letter that bespoke the
sentiment. They appealed from the enun-
,iation Of that sentiment 10 the people for
heir approval or disapproyal, and the
people with one united voice. have come
ip aud said that what we have done IS
right. / say 30 you there is no hope that
Congress will recede one inch from what
hey have done. This ! say 10 Won
lot for the purpose Of stirring up your
lsssions, because if il must be 80. as
air antagonists we will not deceive Won
n anything. We think, sirs. that what
We did last winter was right; You |
AVE not asked the question. ! do not
peak Of the people Of Tennessee, who are
.ntirely ont Of this controversy. They
nave joined their fortunes 20 the old gov
know that they will never re-
'ede from H. There are other States that
Without consideration have thrown the do
ngs Of Congress- 10 the winds: are they
20 make any other tcrmsp You
ave not called on us for other terms. but
drowned Them aside as utterly worthless.
And in my judgment, sirs, while | will
,ssura you that every man in the North is
n anxious ior this Union as anv man can
possibly be We regret il il as much as Won
an possibly regret il, the circumstances |
which for time suspended our relations
We hardly hope L may be resumed again
Iponthe principles Of right, Justice liberty
md equality.
We know the time is not distant when
his thing will be done; there is no doubt
Il il. The fat has gone ont we shall be
iniled again, and upon the principles Of
ustioe and security, such as win bring no
urther controversy.
say these things because many gentle
men have been TO me to-day, yesterday and
he day before, 10 know privately what my
opinions are In regard 10 tie people of the
North and this Congress are. In.lerd of !
each individually, as You have
allied me ont, | have declared honestly
ny opinion Of the sentiments Of the people
{ the North. ] rejoice to heGr those good
id tunes that speak retgyn of the senti,
nenis Of those good times hope We shah
&c, and ] sssure y0u that when they do
eiurn We are perfectly sure OF that great
.rincipie Of constitutional liberty.
FREmNEN MovING TO FLoMpk The
Yiausboro Is. c. Nsus Of The 20ih inst,
~ that eighty families Of colorod people
iere on The eve Of departure from that dis
Iiel % Flcrida. The Ncas remarks: AT
'ill unqnoaionabiy be better fur all parties