WADE, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1800-78). An American political leader, born of humble parent age. near West Springfield. Mass. Be removed to Ohio in 1821 : largely supported himself. and finally studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1827. and in 1831 became the partner of Joshua B. Giddings (q.v.). He was elected prosecuting attorney of Ashtabula County in 1835, and State Senator in 1837 and 1841: and was chosen presid ing judge of the third judicial district of the State in 1847. From 1S51 until 1869 he vas a member of the 'United States Senate. He was a Whig, and a strong opponent of slavery; voted for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1852; and opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill (q.v.) of 1854, the purchase of Cuba, and the admission of Kansas under the lecompton Con stitution (q.v.). After the election of Lincoln in 1860 he opposed all compromise between the North and the South; was chairman of the Com mittee on the Conduct of the War in 1861-62, and advocated a more vigorous policy, urging a law to confiscate the property of the leading secessionists and to emancipate the slaves. In as
sociation with Winter Davis and other radical Itepublicans, he caused, in the summer of 1864. an open breach with the President upon the proper method find policy of Reconstruction (q.v.), and issued the 1Vade-Davis Manifesto, condemning in strong language the policy of the President. It was he who reported in 1862, as chairman of the Committee on Territories, a bill to abolish slavery in all the Territories, and pro hibit it in all future Territories. He was elected president of the Senate in 1867, and was sent in as one of the commission to Santo Domingo to report in regard to its annexation to the United States. Senator Wade was popularly known as 'I8-n' or `0111 Ben,' and was greatly ad mired by his associates for his rugged, fearless manner, his honesty of purpose, and independence of thought. Consult Riddle, Life of Benjamin (Cleveland, ISS6).