The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-02-27
BLUFF BEN.
The Late Senator Wsde's Plain Speech
High Courage.
A. uhs

BLUFF BEN.
The Late Senator wsde's Plain Speech and
High Courage.
From the Philsdslphis Pressl
The great struggle over the Kansas
Nebraska bill had brought Mr.. Wade
prominently before the country a. de-
batter. The Southern Are.eaters and
their allies, the Northern doughfaces,
had combined to throw him down, but
he kept his feet, hurled them back with
surprising de1terity and ability, and,
pursuing, taught them for the first time
that they had Q master in the United
States Senate who would not spare
them.
The Hon. Charles G. Anterior, of
New Hampshire, better known as "Gag
Atherton," from his introduction OF q
resolution to lay all anti.slavery petit.
ons on the table, was emphatically u
Northern man with Southern prin.
ciples.
One day Mr.. Wade. who was person.
ally very popular, even with his poll
teal opponents, was conversing with ex-
Gov. Morehead, of Kentucky, who was
then visiting Washington, when Ather-
ton came up and at once commenced an
attack on Mr.. Wade in regard to the
Fugitive Slave law
Why, Mr.. Wade,' he said, il mig.
ger runs away from O good master in
Kentucky and comes to your home in
Ohio, wouldn't you arrest him and send
him back to his master2"
mo, indeed, I wouldn't" replied
Wade. would you, Atherton2"
Certainly I would" said Anterior.
Il should deem it my duty to enforce
that as much as any other law"
Mr.. Wade turned to Gov. Morehead.
well, Governor, what would you
say2 Would you arrest q negro and
send him back under such oircum.
stancesf"
"No," replied the Governor, gruffly;
I'D see him - first"
"Well," said old Ben, after q mo.
ment's pause, II don't know as I can
blame you, seeing you have got such
thing as that (pointing to Atherton)
to do your dirty work for you"
Soon after taking his seat as Sena.
tor the great Onioan witnessed one of
those scenes SO common in the Senate
in those days. A Southern fire-eater
made an attack on q Northern Senator,
and Wade was amazed and disguised at
the cringeing, cowardly way in which
the Northern man bore the taunts and
insults of the hot-headed Southerner.
As no allusion was made to Ohio or
himself, Mr.. Wade sat still, but when
the Senate adjourned he said, openly,
if ever Southern Senator made such
an attack on him or his State while he
was on the floor he would brand him
as q liar. This coming to the ears of
the Southern men, Senator took &C.
casion to pointedly speak q few days
afterward of Ohio and her people as
negro thieves. Instantly, Mr.. Wade
sprung to his feet and pronounced the
Senator liar.
The Southern Senators were thun.
derstruck and gathered around their
champion, while the Northern men
grouped about Wade. A feeler was put
out from the Southern side looking to
retraction, but Mr.. Wade retorted in
his peculiar style and demanded an
apology for the insult offered himself
and the people he represented. The
matter thus closed, and q fight was
looked upon as certain. The next day
q gentleman called upon Senator Wade
and asked him the usual question
touching his acknowledgment OF the
code.
II am here" he responded, sin q
double capacity; I represent the State
of Ohio, and ! represent Ben Wade.
As Q Senator I am opposed to duel
ing, as Ben Wade I recognize the
CODE"
my friend feels aggrieved," says the
gentleman, at what you said In the
Senate yesterday, and will ask an spol-
ogy or satisfaction"
II was somewhat embarrassed" con.
tinued Senator Wade, @by my position
yesterday, ss I have some respect for
the Senate Chamber. ! now take this
opportunity to say what I then thought,
but could not say, and you will. il you
please, repeat it. You friend is foul
mouthed old blackguard."
Certainly, Senator Wade, You do
not wish me to convey such q message
as thatp"
Most undoubtedly do; and will
tell you for your own benefit, this friend
OF yours viii never notice it; I will no,
be asked by him for either retraction
explanation or a fight" The amazed
Southern gentleman took his hat and
left, seriously doubling Wades sanity. |
Next morning Mr.. Wade came into
the Senate, and, proceeding to his seat,
deliberately drew from his coat two
large navy revolvers, and, unlocking
his desk, laid them inside. The South
ern men looked on in silence. while the
Northern men enjoyed to the fullest
extent the fre-eaters' surprise at the
proceedings Of the plucky Ohio Sena-
tor. No further notice was taken Of the
affair of the day before. Wade was not
but ever afterward was
treated with the utmost politeness and |
by the Senator who had 7
20 insultiDgly attacked him.
THE Hartford C0uraat, referring to
the annual statement of the 4Etna Life
Insurance Company, says: cit shows
the continued prosperity OF that excep-
tionally well managed and strong insti-
tuition. No life company in the country,
rs to the solid character of its assets and