Smyrna times., 1866-04-11
Thaddeus Stevens,

The figure which in the present Congress
looms up above every other is that of Taddeus
Stevens, of Pennsylvania. Certainly five were
to select the portrait of that Congressman
which would be the most interesting to our
readers it would be the portrait of Stevens.
The subject OF our sketch was born in Gala
donia county, Vermont, April 4, 1893. Imme-
diately upon his graduation at Dartmouth Col
lege, in 1914, he removed to Pennsylvania.
Teaching in an academy in that State, he at
the same time prepared for the practice of law
He was admitted to the bar in 1916. In 1888
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature,
and also in the years following until 1888, and
again in l84l. In 1888 he was appointed Ca
nal Commissioner, and in 1912 he removed to
Lancaster.
In IS4S Mr.. Stevens was elected Repre-
sentative from Pennsylvania to the Thirty first
Congress. He was a member Of the Thirty
second, and also Of the Thirty sixth and Thirty
seventh Congress. In the latter he held the
most important position in the House-that
which is usually conceded to the leading mem
ber-namely, that Of Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Ways and Means. In 1862 he was
elected to the Thirty Congress, and sub
sequently to the Congress which is now in ses-
sion.
Not man of great craftsmanship though of
sencere patriotism, he is inconsiderate in the
policy which he urges upon the country, and
IN his utterances upon important matters of
State He is bold, and even rash in speech.
Chief j Justice Taney had slept in his grave lit
tie more than a twelvemonth when, in an inn
portant speech in the House, Mr.. Stevens had
the boldness to declare that the opinions of the
Chief j ustice on negro citizenship had damned
him to everlasting infamy, and, he feared, to
everlasting fame. In the same speech Mr..
Stevens expressed his impatience at the mag
| nanimity of the Government in its attitude to-
ward the conquered Southern States, and ad.
yocated revival Of the policy which had been
visited upon the vanquished in the less civil
zed epoch of Roman history. Mr.. Stevens is
more of an alarmist, we think, than becomes
an honest statesman. He exaggerates trivial
tiles. Because President johnson simply ex-
pressed an opinion in regard to the proposed
A amendments to the Constitution, Mr. Stevens
saw in this dreadful usurpation, not unworthy
to be compared with that which cost Charles
l. his head We mention these things o.
characteristics of Mr.. Stevens boldness anC
extravaganza. His sattempt, afterward, to treai
the Presidents 22d Of February speech as |
hoax, foisted upon the country by the Copper
! heads was equally extravagant as a bit OF but
: foonery.
!. That which gives Mr.. Stevens the great pow
er which he wields in the House-a powe
/. which is almost irresistible-is his emphati
and earnest denunclation Of treason. Tn
!, country has suffered SO much in the past iron
7 vacillation, that it greatly admires anythin
! (which looks through and straightforward. MI
: Stevens words have gladiatorial strengt
u which would have done honor to the bodies
!. of Rome's orators. They sweep men by thei
y sledre-hamrner strokes--they are words ofiror
y Whatever be the verdict Of posterity in regar
!, tothe wisdom of Mr.. Stevens acts and speeches
L future generations can not fail to render bin
r the tribute which always yielded to extraord
narv force of character. -Harper's Weekly.