Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-27
SENATOR WADE ON FEMALE SUI
TRACE AND THE DIVISION OF
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EltOFEh1H-
A correspondent Of the New York Times
gives a report Of the extraordinary speech
made by Senator Wade at Lawrence, Kan
sss, on the 10th instant:
"Mr. Wade said that as he had kept in
advance of the people in the great strife
between freedom and slavery, he meant to
do the same thing in the contest which
had Just commenced for extending the
right Of suffrage TO women. He was
nnquali6edly in favor Of equal rights
for all, not only without regard 10 national
ity and color, but without regard 10 sex
Women were more Yirtuous than men their
perceptions we're quicker and keener, and
when they gained political power, they
would rectify many abuses which had thus
far remained untouched. If he had not
believed that his own wife had sense
enough to vote he never would have
married her, laughter and applause, and
il anv Of his hearers had wives who were
unequal 10 the discharge of the right of
suffrage, he would advise them to go home
and get divorced at once. Renewed laugh
ter The speaker denounced those women
who did not want TO vote because il was
not fashionable, and said that be had a
prediction to make Female suffrage will
be general in less than twenty years A
voice-Thafs too far OFF, and he thought
il likely that in Kansas the next Legislature
might set the matter straight. Applause. ]
He repeated that he intended to keep in
advance Of the people on this subject, and
that he was now ready TO take another jump
forward, il necessary. In his view Radical
ism upon this and all other questions was
righteousness, while Conservatism W as
hypocrisy ard cowardice. The Conservative
was a mere lickspittle and hanger-on; he
was not only willing to be trampled in the
dust, but was willing to remain there.
"As regarded the political situation he
would only say that Southerners now had
the mildesi terms offered them they ever
would get II they chose to accept them,
well and good; they might have all the
advantages Of such action if they refused
them, another turn would be given 10 the
screw and they would be compelled TO
yield whether they wished to or not Con-
gress had thus far been with the people,
and IL would not now desert them under
the lead of ohpson or the devil. His hearers
might rest assured ofone thing, that recon-
structioa was as certain 10 take place as that
the sun was shining.
Senator Waee then proceeded 10 say
that there was another question upon which
he would express his views, although his
hearers might differ from him in opinion
We had disposed Of the question ofsayery,
and now that of labor and capital must
pass through the ordeal. The shadow of the
approaching struggle between the two great
interest was already upon us, andit wonld
do no good 10 turn our backs upon the
question. IL must be met. Property was not
equally divided, and a more equal distribu-
ton of capital must be wrought out. That
Congress which had done 80 much for the
slave cannot quietly regard the terrible
distinction which exists between thernan
that labors and him that does net APP
plause. Ifyou dullheads said the speaker,
can't see this, the women will, and viii act
accordingly Il will not be long before
the laborers will demand of canvasssrs,
upon the eve Of an election, what will
YOU do for usY and they will have
satisfactory answer.
1T is no: right or Just that any man
should be compelled 10 labor until life is
worn cut and being is curse. The
Almighty did not intend that this should
be the case, nor will it remain 30. More
leisure must be given 10 the people for men
tai accomplishments, and labor saving
machines had not yet fulfilled their mission,
suce they had failed to effect this result.
Here in Kansas said the speaker, where
every man is a capitals; 20 greater or less
extent, these inequalities are not so great,
and are not 40 keenly felt as they are in
the East, and the speaker would advise
every man in that section who is subject
70 a capitalist in any degree to cut loose
from and get two hours nearer sundown
forthwith. Men Of Kansas he said, If
YOU do as much for yourselves as the Al
mighty has done for you, you will be the
lords of creation Mr.. Wade pledged
himself to advocate the natural rights of
man boldly and persistently; spoke of the
great commercial results which would in
evidently flow from the completion Of the
Pacific railway, and then referred TO the
striking fact that the excursion party had,
during the two weeks Of its journeying,
accomplished by rail a distance which
would have taken a year 70 traverse by the
old modes of conveyance. He concluded
by thanking the people of Lawrence for the
cordial welcome aud kind courtesies they
had extended TO the party he represented"