Year: 1867

EclCC, htihSStSs


4 4


Mr.. Wade then said that he had
kept in advance of the people in
the great strife between Freedom
and Slavery, he meant to do Me
same thing an the contest aohich had
Just commenced for eDtending the
right Of suffrage to aOOnaen. He was
unqualifedly in favor of equal
rights for all, not only without re.
gard to nationality and color, but
without regard to sex. Women
were more yirtuOus than men; their
perceptions were quicker and keen.
er, and when they gained political
power they would rectify many
abuses which had thus far remain
ed untouched. If he had not be-
lieved that his own wife had sense
enough to vote, he never would
have married her, laughter and
applause and if any of his hear
ers had wives who were unequal to
the discharge of the right of snff-
rage, he would advise them to 60
home and get divorced at once
Renewed laughter.] The speaker
denounced those women who did
not want to vote because it was
not fashionable, and said that he
had a prediction to make: Female
suffrage will be general in less than
thirty years, { A voice-"That's too
far of!") and he thought it likely
that in Kansas the next Legisla-
ture might set the matter straight.
(Applause.) He repeated that he
intended to keep in advance of the
people on this subject, and that he
was now ready to take another
jump forward, if necessary. In his
view radicalism upon this and all
other questions was righteousness,
while conservatism was hypocrisy
and cowardice. The conservative
was mere lickspittle and hanger
on; he was not only willing to be
trampled in the dust, but was will
ling to remain there.


As regarded the political situa
tion he would only say that the
Southerners now had the mildeSt
terms offered them they would evel
get. If they chose to accept them
we'll and good; they might have all
the advantage of such action; il
they refused them, another turn
would be given to the screw anc
they would be compelled to yielc
whether they wished to or not
Congress had thus far been with
the people, and it would not now
desert them under the lead of John
son or the devil. His hearers
might rest assured of one thing
that reconstruction was as certain
to take place as that the sun was
shining.


Senator Wade then proceeded tc
say that there was another ques
ton upon which he would express
his views, although his hearers
might differ from him in opinion
We had disposed of the question
of slavery, and now that of labol
and capital must pass through thu
ordeal. The shadow of the ap
preaching struggle between these
two great interests was already
upon US, and 1t would do no goot
to turn our backs upon the ques
ton. 1t must be met. Property
was not equally divided, and
more equal distribution of capita
must be wrought out. That Con
gress which had done so much To-
the slave cannot quietly regard thu
terrible distinction which exist
between the man that labors ant
him that does not. (Applause.) J.
"If you dullheads," said the speak
er, ''can't see this, the women will
and will act accordingly" 1t vii
not be long before the laborers viii
demand OF canvassers upen thu
eve of an election, "what will yo'
do for uss" and they will have


satisfactory answer. Itis not righ
or just that any man should b
compelled to labor until life j