Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-11-15
A Day with Ben. Wade.

s'The niger whipped US, said Mr..
Wade, eve went in on principle, and got
whipped. We should have carried the
State by good majority if 1t had not been
for the suffrage issue Still am not sorry
we made the issue. If it was to DO over
again I'd be for putting II again, and Ii
be for keeping it up until we do win Tor,
by the eternal God, they can't beat as ali
the time on a question like that. l had no
idea that there were SO many Republicans
in Ohio who were willing to see negro sui
frage in the South, but wouldn't let the few
niggers of Ohio vote. That's what got me.
They all seemed to be in favor OF 1t as d
measure of reconstruction, just as much as
[ was. [ didn't dream that they'd be mean
enough to vote against 1t here.
| THE RESULT.
'Now," said Mr. Wade, ''because we've
been whipped on the first trial, suppose
some of the weak-kneed brothers will be for
| backing out on that question. But l won't
back a id inch I'm for it now as strong
as was before the election, and stronger,
too because there is more need OF being
strong for it, to conquer mean prejudice.
But you will see men trying to hush the
thing up, and to smother 1t and to dodge
it in every way they can, and men who call
themselves Radicals, too. Hell's full OF
L
it because [ think it's right and know it's
right and, if a thing is right, the only
way is to keep at it till it wins, for it's sure
to win some time or another.
IMPEACHMENT.
| asked him if the thought the Ropubli
can party would have Jared better III the
late elections if Johnson mad been impeach-
ed and turned out of Office. g Certainly it
l l. had 10 on
case against him and turned him out land
We shouldn't have turned him out unless
we had made good case, we'd have been
much stronger There's nothing the poo-
pie like in q party so we'll us bOidness; and
nothing hurts d party SO much rs tlmldity.
If the people think you are afraid to do a
thing that you ought to do, they'll beat
you certain. They like pluck. A white
livered party will soon go to pieces. 1t
was because we took hold OF the slavery
question in good earnest that we won on
it, and we never did win until we did take
hold Of it IN that way.
SUMMERS SUFFRAGE BILL.
referring to this measure, Mr.. Wade
said he had not made up his mind exactly
whether he ought to vote for it or not. He
believes that under the last clause OF the
thirteenth amendment, giving Congress
power to enforce the abolition OF slavery
by appropriate legislation, there WAS am
pie authority foT the passage OF the bill,
for no man was really free III this country
unless lie had the right to vote. But lie
was a believer in State rights i'll Il proper
and legitimate way, and did not know but
that this bill was III violation OF the right
of each State TO regulate suffrage.
GENER-14 GRANT.
Referring to Presidential matters, Mr..
Wade said it had looked 10 him for 4 year
past as il the Republican, party would take
Grant up for President, and run him III
with hurrah He was sOrrr 10 see that
disposition, and believed that 10 good
would come OF it. 1.-The trouble with
Grant u.s. said he, "yoa don't know where
he stands. 1t seems very singular that Il
man could have lived through this terrible
war without identifying himself with any
party, and that men pretending 10 bc he
publicans should try to rush him into the
White House without asking him single
question as to where he stands on the great
issues now before tho country StIlI, |
have felt it in my bones that they would
do that very thing.
I asked Mr.. Waldo if lie had ever con
versed with General Grant on political
topics.
II have tried to do it" said he, ''but l
never could bring him out. When / saw
the popular current appearing to run III
his favor [ thought l would like to know
where he stood on the great IGestiOnS be-
fore us-Whether he was for Johnson Or
| Congress, or what the devil he was for
for [ never could get anything out OF him,
AS quick as I'd talk politics he'd talk horses,
and could talk for hours on that without
] Il
| but in these times a man may b0 all right
on horses and all wrong on politics Grant
may be all right TOR what [ know, but then
| he may be all wrong. If he wants to be
President by my voice and the voice OF the
men | act with, he must not only be right
but he must prove that he is.
| I inquired of Mr.. Wade what proof lie
would require from General Grant before
supporting him as Presidential candidate
Would letter endorsing the Radical policy
do ?
s'No, it won't. We must have his wore
backed by some official act showing him tx
be in sympathy with rs, and IN favor o
the doctrines we advocate. We won't take
any mans word after what we've gone
through. Grant must come out and SHOW
his hand as pronounced Republican, O
he can't get my support. l. don't know
CnaG my support duOuLtS ~ uluCAi bti
what little there is OF it will &c III the rl8h
direction"
If Grant wants the Presidency, let hin
come like a man, and say which side he l
on, and if he is strong enough on our sid
we'll elect him. But 1t IS neither wise no
necessary for rs to run an availability can
didate. We will have the Southern State
recognized by that the, and they WI
vote right. Then We can rely on enough
Northern States TO insure the election Q
our man, whoever he may be.
Of Chief Justice Chase, he said :
, If Chase can be nominated, think h
will make good President and we ca
! elect him.
: MRS. LINCOLN.
r During our conversation, the subject {
f Mrs. Lincoln and her recent disgracefr
D conduct came up, and, remembering thu
Y Mr.. Wade was one of committee app0in
/ ed by the two houses to investigate th
peculiarly condition in which Mr. Lii
r coins family was left, and report a bill fc
e their relief, L asked him if it was true {
Il stated by Mrs. Lincoln, that Mr.. Lincol
/ left little or no property behind him.
4 NO" said he, cit is id lie. "