Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-07
A Pen Picture of Thaddeus
Stevens.
Washington Correspondence of the New
York INDEPENDENT

Washington Correspondence of the New
York independently
Thaddeus Stevens is Just coming in
from his committee room. and looks SO
feeble, the great old man, it makes me
sorry. The men abroad who assail him
with such ferocity, if they could see him
now. would be- quite disarmed. His
spirit is not bated. his sarcasm cuts as
keenIy as ever, his wit flashes as brightly,
lis great intellect seems in no wise dim
med, yet the hand of Time lies heavy
upon him. The will which never
swerves, which always conquers and
rules men, is poweIless to resist the
pressure of pain and the infrmity of age.
Although TO casual observer would
think il, Thaddeus Stevens is over s,ag-
enty years of age. A comely wig robs
him Of the hoary crown which always
haliows the head Of ago. His face in
outline approaches the Indian type
The square. perccptiye brow, the deep-set
eyes, the high eheekbones, the broad jaw
and saturine mouth are most marked
The face ~ lepuso is stern, out not saw
age. The ''sardon;c SMILE that we read
so much about Is very human and
kindly smile, a!ler Nil. Taddeus Stevens
mimi able sarcasm and wit seem purely
intellectual gifts, flames of the head.
free from all smoke of personal malice.
He will say the most savage things Of
mans ac,s or opinions, without one
emotion OF Ill will toward the man.
He will anniiiIate member in n speech
and then, clapping him on the shoulder.
ask the discounted brother TO 20 with
him To lunch You hear of his many
kindly deeds from those who know him
best; of the gentle charities which BIOS
som along hIs private path; OF many
poor boys whom he has lifted from pow
er;y and obscurity TO give them help and
nntive in life. For many years he
has been power in the nation, leader
in tie House. marshaling in the van
The hosts of liberty. No man ia more
eagerly listened To. No man, perhaps,
would be so positively missed if he were
TO pass forever from the congressional
Hall. He has stood here so long, his
intellect is SO powerful, his personality s.
positive, his utterances so unique, his
spirit SO mas;erful, bis memory will not
pass away with bis presence, nor his
name with Lis generation.
lie is one whose sayings will live long
after him His jewelled witticisms will
be set in many q, speech, and gleam in
MANY Congress, when the brain which
gave them birth has gore back 10 dust.
But thc>old lion of the House is fighting
his last battles. One who has fought so
long and so bravcly DOES not like to con.
fess that he is mt last worsted bv Time;
that even he has found conqucror.-
To have lived in the world, to have been
with it, and of it, so long, to love it only
to leave il, how hard TO heart broken
10y its own burdens, death comes heal
ing and n consolation; but to man
who has sought to find the satisfaction Of
life in public spheres, whose activities
have been cxl ended on the issues of the
age, while the grand problems of his time
remain unsolved, and the vast victories
of the future vet unconsummated-to
him death is as unwelcome rs it is
irremediablc. Such a man has no time
TO die.