r. WADE: Mr. President, I did not intend to say a word upon this
subject, because on the first day of the last session of Congress
I introduced the original bill now before the Senate, to which
the Committee have proposed several amendments, and that action
on my part I supposed demonstrated sufficiently to all who might
read the bill what were my views and sentiments upon the question
of suffrage; and, sir, they are of no sudden growth. I have
always been of the opinion that in a republican government the
right of voting ought to be limited only by the years of
discretion. I have always believed that when a person arrived at
the age when by the laws of the country he was remitted to the
rights of citizens, when the laws fixed the age of majority when
the person was supposed to be competent to manage his own
affairs, then he ought to be suffered to participate in the
Government under which he lives. Nor do I believe that any such
rule is unsafe. I imagine that safety is entirely on the other
side, for just in proportion as you limit the franchise, you
create in the same degree an aristocracy, an irresponsible
Government; and gentlemen must be a little tinctured with a fear
of republican sentiment when they fear the extension of the right
of suffrage.

If I believed, as some gentlemen do, that to participate in
Government required intellect of the highest character, the
greatest perspicacity of mind, the greatest discipline derived
from education and experience, I should be convinced that a
republican form of government could not live. It is because I
believe that all that is essential in government for the welfare
of the community is plain, simple, level with the weakest
intellects, that I am satisfied this Government ought to stand
and will stand forever. Who is it that ought to be protected by
these republican governments? Certainly it is the weak and
ignorant, who have no other manner of defending their rights
except through the ballot-box.

The argument for aristocracies and monarchies has ever been that
the masses of the people do not know enough to take care of the
high concerns of government. If they do not, the human race is in
a miserable condition. If, indeed, the great masses of mankind,
who are permitted to transact their ow