Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-03-26
points in case and presenting them to the

WhtiC hC piuCtioSNs LlC w Wdo hOW u inuH vi
note; his law business was constantly in.
creasing, and money was coming in to fill
his pockets. He felt, as thousand Other
men have felt, that the struggle of his life
was over; that it was no longer with him
simply fight for bread The world had
been met and conquered, and the master
began to look about him and consider othei
matters than mere questions of food aud
clothing like most men who have taken
the rough world by the throat and conquered
it, Mr.. Wade felt how completely he was
selt-madc, and how little he had to fear from
the future.
In 1885 he was elected Prosecuting Attor-
ney for the county of Ashtabula, and was
one of the very best Ashtabula ever had.
His talent foi special pleading was remark
able, and his indictments arc considered
models Mt the present time.
In 1887 Mr.. Wade was offered the nomi-
nation to the State Senate from his District,
and reluctantly accepted. This, Mr. Wade
contends to this day, was the great mistake
of his life. He has been continually sue
cessful in politics, and reached the second
office in the nation; but he never fails to
warn young men to stick to their profess
ions, and let politics alone. The empty
honors of public life, he contends, never re
pay the politician for the tolls and troubles
that beset him at every step; and quiet
home is infinitely 10 be preferred to the
highest political honor.
He was just entering his thirty-eighth
year when he took his seat in the State Sen
ate Of Ohio, and at once began his political
career with the same earnestness that had
characterized his course at the bar AS n
new member, he expected no position; but
his fame as lawyer had preceded him to
the Capitol, and he was appointed q member
of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Wade first directed his attention to
the repeal of the laws of Ohio whereby the
poor but honest man could be imprisoned
for debt by his creditor. He rapidly rose 10
the leadership of the little squad of Wings
in the State Senate, and although greatly in
the minority, lie handled his small force SO
effectively as TO keep the Democrats always
on the defensive.
The question of the annexation of Texas
coming up, Mr.. Wade made haste TO take
bold ground against slavery. He said:
"This State OF Texas coming to the Union
as it must Gf at alD with the institution OF
slavery interviewer with its social habits,
being brought into this Union for the sole
object of extending the accursed system OF
human bondage, il can not have my voice
or vote; for so help me God, will never
assist in adding one rood of slave territory
to this country"
Soon after his efforts to prevent the ex-
tension of slavery, the black people of Ohio
began an active movement for relief from
the oppressive State laws, and appealed to
Mr.. Wade to help them. He took their
petition and presented it in the Senate, ask
ing that "all laws might be repealed making
distinctions among the people of Ohio on
account of color" This raised a storm of
Indignation, and even some of Mr.. Wade's
personal and party friends warned him to
desist in his efforts to place a negro on
equal footing with a white man, but Wade
stcrnly rebuked them, and insisted on his
petitions being heard. At first the Senate
refused to hear what the negroes had to say,
but at length received their petition, and at
once laid it on the table, Mr.. Wade protest
ing, and saying, with great vehcmence and
earncstness to the majority " Remember,
gentlemen, you have, by yonr votes In this
free State of Ohio, so treated part of hei
people, these black men and women"
AT the close of his Senatorial term, Mr..
Wade found his negro doctrines had made
him unpopular with his constituents When
the Convention met in his District, he was
not only passed over and a new pan nomi-
mated, but some of the delegates thought II
would be good thing to censure him for
his course. Mr.. Wade had given great of
fense by his vehement opposition to State
appropriations for internal improvements,
and the Commissioners appointed by the
Legislature of Kentucky to visit Ohio and
obtain, as Mr.. Wade said, "the passage of
law to degrade the people OF Ohio"
The bill they sought to have made IL law
was one of pains and penalties, intended 10
repulse from Ohio the unhappy negro, ,wheili-
er bond or free-flying from the cruelty Of a
master, or, if manunilted, from the pcrsc-
cution of the superior class of laborers in a
slave State, who ahhor such rivals. Mr..
Wade's noble nature rcvolted against the
tyranny which would not allow human be-
ings refuge anywhere on a continent from
which they had no outlet, and into which
they had Icen dragged against their will
and he opposed the measure with all his
might.
MIR. Wade, conscious that he had done
right, when his Senatorial term was out, re-
turned to his home and recommended the
practice of law, resolving never again to
stand for any political office. In lS4o, when
Gen. HARRISON was nominated for Presi-
dent, Mr.. Wade, yielding to the wishes OF
bis friends and the excitement and enthusi-
siasm of the hour, took the stump, and in
this campaign, for the first time in his life,
became II stump orator. His speeches were
plain matter of fact talks, which the people
thoroughly understood, and he became popu-
lar He passed over the Reserve, address
ing thousands of people, and laboring day
and night for Mr.. Harrison election. AS
soon as the canvass was over he returned to
his law office, at Jefferson, and began 10
work up his cases again, regfetting that he
had not paid more attention to his clients,
and less TO politics.
One day Mr.. Wade had some business
with Mr. Parsons, down about the lake, and
while there saw the gentlemen's hali-sister,
Miss Caroline Rosenkraniz Ina very bus
incss-like way he made up his mind that he
would have this lady for Il wife, but for Il
long time kept his conclusions TO himself.
1t was observed that he had business rather
often with Mr. Parsons, and at last 1t leaked
out, and came even to the ears of tho lady
herself what was the object Of the cold fel-
lows" frequent visits. Those acquainted
with Mr.. Wade's peculiar habits and dispo-
sition, may well wonder how he, at the age
of ~, ever managed to court and marry a
lady, but he did ii, and in his selection of a
wife exhibited his sterling good sense as he
had in other matters. Whether as helpmate,
friend, companion, adviser, wife, or mother,
better woman never fell to the lot Of man.
than Mrs. Caroline Wade.
The Senator's marriage with Miss Rosen-
krantz was a happy one, and their union
was blessed with two children both boys.
The eldest of these, James F. Wade, enter
ed the army at the age of is, and the young
est, Henry II. Wade, before he was 10.
Gen. Jas. +. Wade commanded u brigade Of
colored troops during the latter part of the
war, and is now Major in the 9th United
States Cavalry. Colonel II. p. Wade was q
Captain of cavalry and staff officer in the
war, and is now u Captain in the Sth Unit
ed States Cavalry, and an assistant instruc
tor at Carlisle Barracks. Both the sons are
chips off the old block, and having served
for a long time in the command of the wri
ter, he can say, with all truth, they arc Of
faithful and gallant soldiers as ever drew sa
ber in defence of their country.
r------
The following prices are paid for music il
some of the Chicago churches: The Second
Presbyterian Church, which has the fines
quartette choir in the city, appropriates
So, 75o; of which $i,4O0 is paid to the con
tra,to, Mrs. Mat;ison. The organist receive.
5000, the soprano 5000, and the tenor ant
bass each $500. Triuily Church pays 81.
200, the First Presbyterian $4,000, St. paur'
..rs.