The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-19
Thad. Stevens.

The following statement will excite
surprise among our readers, and it is diff
cult to tell whether or not the Richmond
Times is indulging in sarcasm or really
shares in the belief that this hoary old
sinner intends to modify his course to-
wards the illustrious prisoner of Fortress
Monroe:
It is reported, on the best authority,
that old Thad Stevens has written let
ter to the Hon. VIM. B. Reed, of Phila-
delphia, volunteering to defend ex-Presi-
dent Davis in his approaching trial. We
certainly could not more astound our
readers were we to inform them that the
devil had given up his business and was
killing himself off with drink. Still it is
perfectlv consistent with Thad.'s theory
about the war, formed, doubtless, as ne
gazed on the melancholy spectacle of his
burnt mills and saw that huge undershot
water.wheel revolving all alone in its
glory, to show where his foundry had
been. He then came to the conclusion
that Mr.. Davis was the head of an un-
doubted belligerent power and conse-
quently de jacto government. Having
overthrown that government and over
run the country, Mr.. Stevens insists that
the United States have right to dispose
of the lands and property of the con
quered country after the fashion of Will
liam the Norman. He wants not their
blood, but their substance. Mr.. Davis,
according to his theory, was no more
guilty of treason than Harold, the Saxon
King, who fell at Hastings. Hence this
offer of his valuable services in the trial is
not at all at variance with his previous
course during the present session.
What the effect of this new develop
ment may have on Underwood, we can
not imagine. We're it possible for that
iurist to lose his mind, he would undoubt-
edly 90 crazy. With Stevens as leading
counsel for the defence, Greeley as Mr..
Davis bail, and in all probability Wendell
Phillips as foreman of the jury, (for Con-
gress will doubtless pass a law for the
purpose think of Underwood's feelings.
This may be the turning point in Stevens
career.
"As long as the lamp holds out to burn,
| The VlleSL Sinner uldy rcLuiH'
We may be allowed, however, in his case,
TO doubt if there will be any rejoicing
among angels.
This tender of his services may be a
bid for popularity-an extraordinary pa
rade of liberality-or it may be one OF
those mental alterations preliminary to
suicide, which genius of the Black Re
publican stamp, in it's ftfui fights, seems
of late to be subject toe. g., IN preston
King and James H. Lane, of Kansas.
It may be possible that Thad. sees the
the famous handwriting on the wall, and
finds that there is trouble brewing, that
the faithful are going to desert him, and
wishes to get the start of them and 60
over to the enemy first. Or, it may De,
that after all Thad's radicalism is like
that of good many others, only lasting
while they are out Of Office and power,
and completely expiring on their gaming
tho coveted position among the "ins."-
Thad. has undoubtedly got the United
States Senatorship from Pennsylvania Sc
cure, and evidently has aspirations for the
Presidency, and now his conservatism
commences to make its appearance
Seward was great radical before he got
what he wanted-before he got into OF
fee. Since that period, he has become
quite conservative. There is nothing
like placing man in power to make him
conservative, and we would not be much
surprised were Stevens, who is now
striving for place and power, to become
very conservative when he gets them
This offer of his services to Mr.. Reed Is
good symptom, and we hail the improve
ment
A late Milledgeville letter says