Wade in the Senate.--Columbus, Ohio, State Journal [Republican](31 May 1856)
The passage on the
floor of the Senate, in which Mr. Butler bore
himself so courteously toward Mr. Wilson, and
in which Mr. Toombs approved of mob law in
regulating debate, has been sketched in our
telegraphic dispatches. The part our Senator took
in that debate was also sketched, but it will be
better understood by the following more full
report of what he did say:
Mr. Wade said it was impossible for him to sit
still and hear such principles avowed as he had
heard on this occasion. As to the facts in reference
to the assault he knew nothing about them,
and had nothing to say on that point. He was
here in a pretty lean minority -- not more than
about one-fifth of the Senate entertaining opinions
similar to his. But when he heard it stated
that on this floor an assassin-like, cowardly
attack had been made upon a man unarmed and
having no power to defend himself, and that he
had been stricken down and almost murdered,
and then heard a Senator avow that he approved
such conduct, it became a matter of some interest
and importance to all members of this
body, and especially the minority. A brave
man could not defend himself against such an
attack as this, and might be overpowered by
numbers; but overpowered or not, live or die, I
will vindicate the rights of liberty of debate
and the freedom of discussion so long as I live.
If the principle announced here is to prevail,
let us come armed for the combat. Although
you are four to one, I am here to meet you. A
man can die in no better cause than in vindication
of the rights of debate on this floor. If
these are the principles that are to be approved
by a majority, and become part and parcel of
the law of Congress, let it be understood.
The telegraph also informs us that Brooks
has tendered a challenge to Mr. Wilson for
language used by him on the same occasion. But
Mr. Wilson very promptly and properly told
him he should recognize him only as a bully and
a blackguard, and should meet violence with
violence. So the matter stands. Brooks is now
the challenged party, but we shall hear of no
more fighting, for the plain reason that the cowards
know that they will be promptly met. That's
as it should be.
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