The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-03-12
OLD BEN WADE.
Anetd otss Illustrating the PC.
cuiiariiics of Ills Char.
meier.
now EE NET THE SOUTHERN
EIRE-E EtTERS-wRY TOOMHs
DIDN'T CHALLENGE
WADE.

NADEs
General James 8 Brisbin relate, In
the last number the Spirit OF the Times,
many anecdotes OF tue late ex-senator
Wade. Among the most characteristic
are the following:
SOUTHERN SENATOR'S TAuypEBsrRucK.
Soon after taking his seat in the Sem
ate, Vale witnessed one ot those
scenes 80 common in the Senate IN
those days. A Southern Thereafter
made an attack on EJrthern Senator,
aud Wade was amazed aud disgusted
at the cringing cowardly way the
Northern man bore the taunts and IN.
suits of the hot-headed Souiherner. A
no alluslou was made tD himself or
State, Mr.. Wade sat still; but, when
the Senate adjourned, he said, openly,
II ever n Southern Senator made such
al attack on him or his State. while he
sat on that floor. he would brand him
as liar. This coming 10 the ears OF
the Southern men, a Senator took occa-
sion to pointedly speak a few days
afterward OF Ohio and her people as
negro thieves. Instantly Mr.. Wade
spraDg to his feet, aud pronounced the
Senator a liar.
The Southern Senators were thunder
struck, and gathered around their
champion. while the Northern men
grouped about Wade. A feeler was
put ont from the Southern side, look.
ing for retraction; but Mr.. Wade re-
torted IN bis peculiar style, aud de-
manded an apology for the Insult Of
fered himself and the people he repre-
senteu. The matter thus closed.
fight was looked up1n es certain. The
next day gentleman called upon the
Senator from Ohio, and asked the
usual question touching his acknowl-
edgmebt of the code.
i am here" he responded, Sin
donele capacity. | represent the State
OF Ohio, and represent Ben Wade.
As Senator i am opposed 10 dueling;
as Ben Wade recognize the ode.
My friend feels aggrieved," said
the gentleman. "at what you said IN
the Senate yei tarday, and will ask for
an apology or satisfaction.
81 vas sonewhat embarrassed, con-
tinued Senator Wade, "by nv position
yesterday. as have some respect FOR
the chamber. I now take this oppor-
tunity Of saving what then thought,
and you, II you please. can repeat IL:
'Your irieRd is a foul. mouthed old
blackguard :"
Certainly, Senator Wade, you do
not wish me to convey such O message
as that p
''AIOst undoubtedly I do, and will
tell you, for your own bene6t. that
this friend of yours will never notice it.
| will not be asked either for retraction
explanation, or fight.
Next morning Mr.. Wade came into
the Senate. and, proceeding % his seat,
deliberately drew from his coat two
large pistols, and, unlocking his desk,
laid them inside. The Southern men
looked on in silence. while the North.
ern members enjoyed 10 the fullest ex.
tent Tie Are-ea,ers' surprise at the pro-
csediDg OF the plucky OLip Senator.
No further notice was taken Of the AZ
fair 81 the day b.ilrc. Wade was not
challenged, but ever niterSard VAS
treated with the most poli;eness and
consi Grafton v the Senator Who 60
insuluDgly alta kel him.
wp:A AND poCoLA'.
In 1857, Mr. Wade, whose term was
about 10 expire. VAS promptly returned
70 the Senate by vote in the Legisla-
tnre Of l0l, q 80 for his opponent.
The next year Mr.. Wade brought for-
ward his great measure, the Home
stead bill" or. as he WAS pleased TO
cull n, Land for the landless." The
Southern men at once autagonized the
bill with tue slavery question, aud
thus sought to defeat il; but Mr.. Wade
made powerful argument, and com.
pletely routed his enemies.
The Southern men. having tried in
vain To head of Mr.. Wade, appealed 10
their Northern allies to help them.
One day Mr.. Douglas rose In his seat
and interrupted Mr.. Wade, who was
speaking. Instantly the chamber be-
came silent as death, and all eyes were
turned in the direction Of tho two
standing Senators. Every one expect
ed TO see Wade demolished in n mo-
ment by the great Illinois Senator.
"You, sir" said Mr.. Douglas, IN
measured tones, continually compli-
ment Southern men who support this
bill (Nebrasks). but bitterly denounce
Northern men who support II. Why
is this7 You say il is moral wrong;
you say il is a crime. II that be so, Is
il not as much q crime for q Southern
man to support as for a Northern man
to do 80 p
Mr.. wade-"No air; say not"
Mr.. Douglas--"The Senator says
, not. Then he entertains a different
code OF morals from myself, and
. Mr.. Wade-inteTruption Douglas,
and pointing 20 him, with ,coru mark
; eel on every lineament of his face.
, "Your code Of morals Your morals
? Nv God hope so, sir.
D The giant was hit in the forehead, 4,
| aud, after standing for a moment. with
: his face red as scarlet, dropped silently
into his seat, while Mr.. Wade proceed.
( ed with his speech, az quietly as though
. nothing had occurred. Mr. Douglas
was angry, however, and closely watch
ed Wade for n chance TO pouHce upon
him aud scalp him; 1t soon occurred,
aud in this way:
Mr.. Wade had said something com.
, plimentary about Colonel Lane, Of
!. Kansas, when Mr. Douglas rose, and
= said:
. Colonel Lane cannot be believed
!. be has been guilty Of perjury and for
2 gerv."
Mr. Wade-"And what proof hav,
Il you, air, oi these allegations Youl
|, unsupported word is not sufficient.
a NJ. DOuglas-'I have il,e AFFIDAVIT
: Of Colonel Lane, in which. some tins
Z, since, he swore one thing and nov
q states another.
. Mr.. Wade And you, cir. a lawyer
= presume TO charge this man with boinl
guilty ~ furl lery aud perjury, aud tbei
DER him hs wItbess TO prove, you
0fH word.
Douglas saw in n moment he wa
hopelessly canght. and attempted q
? retreat, but Wade pouuced upon him
q and gave him wiihering rcbuke
: vhile the chamber shook with rOars o
= laughter
U Mr. Douglas continued TO badge
: Wade. sometimes getting the better o
him. but often getting rougbly handle,
y until Wade, worn ont with defeudinl
r himself, determined to become the al
'ackiug party. Soon nftCrward, tn
~ Little Giant was bowniling the faie o
2. the nation, and picinriDg tue sal con
u dition we would be in il the T.ee-Soil
~ ers succeeded, having worked himsel
~ mp into passion. When he was a
n the highest pitch, Mr.. Wade rose u
n bis seat, aud said, with indes,r .babl
i cOolness;
lt WELL, WHAT ARR ToU ooISo TO d