Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1878-03-14
BENZ, F. WADE.
Some "reminiscences Of his Political
Life.
lFrOm the Cleveland Post.

His subject was the bill for the abrogation
of the Missouri Compromise, which was car
ried by union of Southern Wings and
Democrats, and he took occasion to with
draw from his Whig associates. The fol-
lowing is an extract from the speech, which
the New York Tribune styled the
.sNEw DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE"
MR. PRESIDENT: do not intend to de-
bate this subject The humiliation of the
North is complete and overwhelming. No
Southern enemy of the North can wish her
deeper degradation. God knows l feel it
keenly enough, and do not wish to prolong
the melancholy spectacle. l have all my
life belonged to the great National wing
party, and never yet have failed with all
the ability possessed to support its regular
nominations, come from what portion OF the
Union they might and much Oftener has 1t
been my lot to battle for Southern than
Northern nominee for the presidency; and
when such candidate was assisted by those
who were jealous of shareholders, and our
people did not like to yield the government
to such hands, how often have encountered
the violent prejudice with no little hazard to
myself. How triumphantly would appeal
on each occasion to Southern honor, to the
magnanimity of soul which believed actu-
ated Southern gentlemen. Alas! 1t God
will pardon me for what have done, Will
promise to sin no more in that direction. We
certainly cannot have any further connection
with the Wings of the South. They have
rendered connection impossible. An impass-
able gulf separates US. The Southern wing
of the old Whig party have joined their for
tunes with what is called the National Dem
ocracy, and l wish you Joy in your new con-
nection. Tomorrow, believe, there is to
be an eclipse of the sun, and l think it is
meet and proper that the sun in the heavens
and the glory of this republic shorla 60 into
tobscurity andbsaafkness togethers Let the
bill then pass. 1t is proper occasion for so
dark and damning deed.
No words could do justice to the feelings
of the man on the occasion which called
them forth From that time he has known
no Whig party. He joined the organization
of the Republican party and devoted himself
earnestly to the advocacy and support of the
principles and measures of that party in Con-
gress and before the people,
Southerners were so overbearing and insO-
lent toward Northerners in Congress that, as
will be we'll remembered by numbers of per-
sons, It was exceedingly unpleasant for many
Republican Congressman. The chivalry
OuSuV SAOoL OCoA VI
THE SOUTHERN DUELLING CODE,
and professed to look with contempt on those
who did not care to fight. Wades expert
ence with Senator Toombs, of Georgia, will
probably be fresh in the minds of many, but
I will repeat it in brief for the benefit of
those who may have forgotten it. When
Charles Sumner was stricken down by Brooks,
Toombs uttered the fierce sentence that Sum-
ner had played the part of a dog and merited
the treatment of dog Wade overhearing
| the remark informed Toombs that he was q
coward and an assassin" For time the
subject of duel between Wade and Toombs
was canvassed by the press and people of the
United States, and Col. James Watson Webb,
who was announced to be a gentleman of ex-
perience in such matters, expected that his
services would be called into requisition.
But Toombs thought better Of the matter and
concluded not to fight. at t'a"+ 81 IL
1T was well for him that he reached that
decision" remarked an old friend of MIR.
Wades to your correspondent at Ashtabula
yesterday, "Frank would have fought, and
as he was a first-rate marksman he would
have put bullet into his man. am conf
dent of that"
Not long after the duel talk, Toombs, while
clustering about, put the question, whats
the use of a mans making ID fool OF
himself p
Wade responded dryly, his keen eyes poin-
ted in Toombs' direction. ''There amt much,
but then some men can't help it.
Toombs, while making q rough speech la
ter characterized
soRTHERN CONGRESSMAN AS CowARDs.
ssDo you mean me?" vehemently inquired
Wade, popping up in his seat in the Senate.
mo, sir" came the respectful reply, II
except the Senator from Ohio" and he forth
with proceeded to eulogize Wade in man.
ner that proved the respect he entertained for
him.
Senator Clayton, of Delaware, on having
row with Wade, sent friend to ascertain,
in q roundabout way, whether the latter
would fight with him.
The Republican Senator, judging of the
seconds object in approaching him, said,
"Tell the d IA scoundrel (meaning Clay
tony that he can find out by sending me an
ordinary communication" 81"
Like Toombs, Clayton concluded not to-
fight.
Mr. Wade was a member of the Joint
Peace Committee of thirteen, previous to the
war. and was chairman of the Joint Com
mittee on the Conduct of the War during
the rebellion. The severity of the work that
he underwent during that period can be Inn
agined when it is remembered that the record
Of the committees labors fills eight large
volumes. When johnson was advanced to
the Presidency by Lincoln's death. Wade was