Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-02-26
BLUFF BEN.
late senator Wade's Plain Speech and


Urom the Philadelphia Press.1
The great struggle over the Kansas
v.brssks bill had brought Mr.. Wade
,rominently before the country as de-
hster. The Southern fre.eaters and
,he;r allies, the Northern doughfsces,
had combined to throw him down, but
ts Kept ais feet, hurled them back with
nrprising dexterity and ability, and,
cursuing, taught them for the first time
hss they had . master in the United
states Senate who would not spare
Lems
The Hon. Charles G.. Atherton, Of
New Hampshire, better known as Gag
ltherton,' from his introduction of a
resolution to lay all anti-slavery petit
ons on the table, was emphatically q
Northern man with Southern prin-
Gples.
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, If mig
ger runs away from q good master in
Kentucky and comes to your home in
Ohio, wouldn't you arrest him and send
him back to his master?"
mo, indeed, I wouldn't" replied
Wade. "Would you, Athertonp"
Certainly l 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
say? Would you arrest negro and
send him back under such circum-
sancesP"
"No," replied the Governor, gruf1y /;
I'D see him - first"
ment's pause, II don't know as ] 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 Ohioan witnessed one of
those scenes so common in the Senate
in those days. A Southern tire-eater
made All attack on a 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 sllusion 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
asa liar. This coming to the ears of
the Southern men, Senator took oc-
,ssion to pointedly speak few days
Lterward 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
j retrs.ction, but Mr.. Wade retorted in
his peculiar style and demanded an
4 apology for the insult offered himself
and the people he represented. The
matter thus closed, and fight was
q looked upon as certain. The next cay
gentleman called upon Senator Wade
and asked him the usual question
touching his acknowledgment Of the
code.
n Il am here" he responded, ain q
N double capacity; / represent the State
h Of Ohio, and / represent Ben Wade.
As Senator I am opposed to duel
ing, as Ben Wade / recognize the
code"
MY friend feels aggrieved, says the
Gentleman, "at what you said in the
Senate yesterday, and will ask an apol-
q, or satisfaction"
I was somewhat embarrassed con-
tlued Senator Wade, "by my position
Yesterday, as have some respect for
the Senate Chamber. ! now take this
opportunity to say what / then thought,
but could not say, and you will, if you
please, repeat it. You friend is foul
mouthed old blackguard."
Certainly, Senator Wade, you do
not wish me to convey such message
- that?-
Most undoubtedly 1 do; and l will
Tell you for your own benefit, this friend
CT yours will never notice it; / will not
n be asked by him for either retraction,
explanation or fight" The amazed
southern gentleman took his hat and
ieiI' seriously doubling Wsde's sanity.
n next morning Mr.. Wade came into
S Sle SENATE, and, proceeding to his seat,
Ieloerately drew from his coat two
int6e navy revolvers, and, unlocking
Ms uesk, laid them inside. The South