On and on the debate raged, foreshadowing what was to come, but on Friday, March 6, for reasons unknown, or because a deal had been made, Thomas Hendricks withdrew his objection, and Benjamin Wade took the oath with the other senators. This was a victory for Radical Republicans and for Wade, it seemed. The Senate still conceived of itself as a legislative body with two representatives from every state. But at the same time, according to Salmon Chase, the Senate was reconstituted as a judicial court of impeachment, whatever that was. It was confusing. Yet moderate Republicans were sure of one
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