The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-12
Senator wade,s Speech at Memphis.

senator w au0'S SpCOCh O. NOM PsAASs
The Memphis Commercial and Argus pub
fishes the following report Of the speech de-
livered by Senator Wade at the banquet
given to the Congressional excursionists in
that city on Wednesday, the 26th ult., in re-
sponse to the toast, 1.-THE Congress of the
United States"
Mr.. President, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN:
When I started upon this excursion it was
thoroughly understood by me and all who
ere associated with me that no speeches
were to he made We pledged ourselves that
that this Southern climate was ready for the
discussion of this topic. My purpose was, in
visiting this part Of the country, to explore,
as fas as it might be done in an excursion OF
this kind, this vast region which lies between
the Potomac and the Gulf of Mexico. Inev-
cr had been over it, and 1 was anxious to see
Il little of the outlines of this country, as to
its climate, and its capabilities. 1t is true
that such an excursion gave but little oppor-
| tunity for such examination.
! | expect to do but little in the way OF
politics. You have complimented by your
! toast the Congress of the United States, OF
| which lam an humble member, and 1t would
| be unrrateful III me if / did not return IN
! their behalf my sincere thanks to you tor
the uniform hospitality we have received on
| this excursion. We have not passed city,
scarcely Il hamlet, but what the people have
turned out, and by their boundless hospl-
tality made us their guests. L am not one
of those who deal in this as pure matter OF
sentiment, for it is frequently superinduced
by good living and passes off with it
( Laughter Yet I would rather say
something, if I must speak, that will test
! the sincerity of us all. l know what you
want. You want to know what the temper
and disposition of Congress is. Applause]
You want to know something OF the minds
of the people of the North, whom they rep
resent, and therefore suppose it is that you
have called me out, as member ofthat body,
to give my views. 1t is true am not author
lied to speak for Congress or for the people
of the United States [ am only one MEM
Der of that body 1 have no new doctrine
to preach Sir, my principles are the same
in any latitude if you will have me speak |
will speak precisely as i'll Cincinnati, or any
other city, \ voice: THAT'S right" You
are anxious to know what that great body,
having the destinies of this nation, intends
| to do. The power of this nation rightfully
belongs first to the people; secondly, to Con-
gress as their immediate Representatives,. Ii
| there is anything the founders OF our Gov
eminent wanted to escape FROM it was the
|
fore they assigned the legislative powers of
this Government, and the power to fix its po-
licies in the Congress of the United States,
and nowhere else. Applause.
Now let me say that do know that the
great body of which am an humble mem
Der have no resentments toward the people
of any portion of this country-none at all
| 7 Applause They will indulge in no vim
dictive legislation They will be guided by
/ ~.
else There never was a Congress selected
since the Constitution was framed in this
country with u more definite purpose, and
more thoroughly understood by the people
who have approved of all their acts, and
they have commenced upon the principle OF
this present session. and they will take
step backward. This sentiment will not he
| cheered here. Nevertheless, truth is truth
let every man understand it. Applause
| say to you, might speak many pleas
ant things in our ears, and l would be
cheered as 1 went along, but l should leave
you with the impression, perhaps, that I
had made false impression upon your
mind. 1 never have deceived mortal man,
and I never will Applause l tell you
| Congress- did get up certain stated prlncl-
pies at the last session with great, unusual
deliberation that they were careful in ev-
|
ment. They appealed from the enuncia-
ton of that sentiment to the people for their
approval or disapproval, and the people,
with one united voice, have come up and
said that what we have done is right. say
! to you there is no hope that Congress will
recide one inch from what they have done.
! This | say to you not for the purpose OF
string up your passions, because if it must
| be so. as fair antagonists, we will not de-
! ,1rl- -l,.,t
we did last winter was right: you have not
asked the question. 1 do not speak Of the
people of Tennessee, who are entirely out of
this controversy. They have joined their
fortunes to the old Government; know
that they will never recedc from it. There
are other States that without consideration
have thrown the doings of Congress to the
winds; are they calculating to make any
| other terms I? You have not called lis ior
other t0r"ls, but thrown them aside as utter
" worthless. And, in my Judgment, sirs,
while assure you that every man in the
North is anxious for this Union as any man
can possibly be, we regret as much as you
can possibly regret circumstances which for
a time suspended our relations We ardent
ly hope they may be resumed again upon the
principles of right, justice, liberty, and
equality.
We know the time is not distant when
this thing will be done; there is no doubt of
it. The fiat has gone out we shall be united
again, and upon the principles ofjustic2 and
security, such as will bring no further contro-
versy.
1 say these things because many gentlemen
have been to me to day, yesterday, and the
day before to know privately what my opin-
ions in regard to the people of the North and
this Congress are. Instead of answering
each Individually, as you have called me out,
1 have declared honestly my opinion of the
sentiments of the people of the North. I
rejoice to hear those good old tunes that be-
speak return of the sentiments of those
good old times hope we shall see, and l as
sure you that when they do return we are per-
fectly sure Of that great principle of constitu-
tional liberty.
Mr.. Wade's remarks were listened to with
profound attention, and produced marked
impression upon his auditory.
Wilmington Market.
JANUARY 9, 1867.
TURPENTINE-Is in demand, and market firm.
Gal Of hi < for, ,