Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-03-16
oID.REN WADE.

Anecdotes Illustrating the Pccularf-
ties of His Character-HOW He Met
the southern Eire-eaters-Why
Toombs Didn't Challenge Wade
Douglas and Wade-The Lit.
tle Giant DumbfOunded-Jud
Chasess Old Frock.
General James s. BriSbin relates, in the
last NUMBER of the Spirit of the Times,
many anecdotes of the late ex-senator
Wade. Amongthe most characteristic
are the following:
SOUTHERN SENATORS THUNDERsTRUCK.
Soon after taking his seat in the Sen
ate. Wade witnessed one or those scenes
so common in the Senate in those days.
A Southern fire-eater made an attack on
Northern Senator, and Wade was
amazed and Disguised at the bringing.
cowardly way i'm which the Northern
man bore the taunts and insults OF the
hot-headed Senator. As no alluslon was
made to himself or state, Mr.. Wade sat
still: but. when the Senate adjourned,
he said, openly. if ever Southern Sena-
tor made such an attack upon him or his
state, while he sat on that floor, he
would brand him as liar. This CON-
ing to the ears of the Southern mel,
Senator took occasion to pointedly speak
few days atterward OF Ohio and her
people as negro thieves. Instantly Mr..
Wape sprang TO his feet and pronounced
the Senator a liar
The Southern Senators were thunder
struck. and gathered around their cham
Mon. while the Northern men grouped
V.,Io feel mn ON
the Southern side looking for retraction;
but Mr.. Wade retorted in his peculiar
styIe, and demanded an apology for the
insult offered himself and the people he
repr, scented. The matter thus closed.
fight was looked upon as certain. The
next day a gentleman called upon the
Senator from Ohio, and asked the usUal
question touching his acknowledgment
of the code.
IL am here" he responded, sin double
capacity. ] represent the state of Ohio,
and represent Ben Wade. As Sena-
tor. am opposed TO duelling; as Ben
Wade. recognize the CODE"
My friend feels aggrieved.' said the
gentleman, lat what you said i'm the Sen
ate yesterday, and will ask for an apOl-
ogy or satisfaction"
II was somewhat embarrassed con-
tinued Senator Wade. "by my losition
Yesterday. as have some respect Tor the
chamber. now take this opportunity
Of saying what then thought, and you,
if you please, can repeat it: Your
friend is foul-mouthed old black
guard"
.Cerrainly, Senator Wade, you do not
wish me to convey such message as
that?''
Most undoubtedly do, and will tell
you, for your own benefit, that this
friend of yours will never notice it.
will not be asked either tor retraction,
explanation, or fight"
Next morning Mr.. Wade came into the
Senate, and, proceeding to his seat, de-
liberately drew from his coat two large
pistols, and, unlocking his desk, laid
them inside. The southern men looked
on in silence, while the Northern men,
bers enjoyed to the fullest extent the
fire-eaters' surprise at the proceeding OF
the plucky Ohio Senator. No further
notice was taken of the affair of the day
before. Wade WIS not challenged, but
ever afterward was treated with the ut
most pOlilsaess and consideration by the
Senator who so insultingly attacked him.
WADE AND DOUGLAS.
In 1851 Mr.. Wade, whose term was
about to expire, was promptly returned
to the Senate by vote in the Legisla-
ture of 10l, to 80 for his opponent. The
next year Mr.. Wade brought forward his
great measure, the Homestead BILL" or,
as he was pleased to call it, s.Land for
the landless." The Southern men at
once antagonized the bill with the slavery
question. and thus sought to defeat it;
but Mr.. Wade made powerful argu-
ment, and completely routed his enemies
The Southern men, having tiled in
vain to head off Mr.. Wade, appealed to
their Northern allies to help them. One
day Mr.. Douglas rose In his seat and in
terrupted Mr.. Wade, who was speaking.
Instantly the chamber became silent as
death, and all eyes were turned i'm the
direction OF the two standing Senators.
Every one expected TO see Wade demol-
1shed In moment by the great Illinois
Senator.
"You, sir" said Mr.. Douglas. in meas
ured tones, s-continually compliment
Southern men who support this bill
(Nebraska), but bitterly denounce North
ern men who support it. Why is this 2
You say it is moral wrong; you say it is
crime. If that be so, is it not as much
II
as Tor Northern man to do so ?"
Mr.. Wade-''NO, sir; say not"
Mr.. Douglas-"rhe Senator says not.
Then he entertains different code of
morals from myself, and"
Mr.. Wade Qnterrupting Douglas, and
pointing to him, with scorn marked on
every lineament of his face).-Your code
OF moralsl Your moralsl My God! /
hope so, SIR
The giant was hit in the forehead. and.
after standing for moment, with his
face red as scarlet, dropped silently into
his seat, while Mr.. Wade proceeded with
his speech, as quietly as though nothing
had occurred. Mr.. Douglas was angry,
however, and closely watched Wade Tor
a chance to pounce upon him and scalp
him; it soon occurred, and in this way
Mr.. Wade had said something compli
mentary about Colonel Lane, of Kansas
when Mr.. Douglas rose, and said:
''Colonel Lame cannot be believed; he
mas Deem guilty OF perjury and forgery
Mr.. Wade-"And what proof have you
SIT, OF these allegations? Your unsup.
ported word is not sufficient"
Mr.. Douglas-"I have the affidavit Of