The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-08-22
EBENsBURG, PA. THURSDAY, AUGUST %, 1867.

a seriousness in their bearing, which ap-
palled the leaders of the concocted treason.
And shortly afterwards, on the occasion
OF some disturbance, Stevens and one or
two OF his co-couspirators made their es-
cape by an ignoble leap from the back
window of the chamber.
He concealed himself in the shrubbery
OF the capitol grounds until late hour,
One of his con- firereS sought the same re-
treat, when Stevens thinking him one of
the avengers, implored most piteously for
mercy, when his friend informed him that
he himself was tive from the same
power. How true is it that ''The wicked
flee when no one pursueth."
This was the end of the troubles. The
Stevens House dissolved itself, were re-
| celved into the regular House, and law
and order resumed their sway. The only
! exception to this was Stevens himself.
! He refused, and Withdrew, declaring HIM
SELF the legal House but his ambitious
hopes were blasted, and he retired from
politics for time, brooding on the ignomy
of his defeat.
But he was ''played out" in Adams
county. He was used up with his politi-
cal friends, and even his party was run
nIng down from a majority to minority
party In that county. He removed to
Lancaster, and for several years we heard
little of him outside of his profession.
LikeMica wber, he was waiting for ''some-
thing to turn Up,' and something did turn
up.
The Know-Nothing party, an organiza-
-
tion destined to galvanize SO many putrid
bodies into new existence, became an in
stitution in the land Stevens, who had
outgrown his horrors of secret societies,
''went in" Nor was his cloven foot any
impediment-th Satanic semblance only
made him more popular with these knights
of the Night. This lever soon raised him
into notice again, and he was elected to
Congress- position which he has held
until the present time.
In Congress the same bold, vindictive
and INSCRIPTIONS course that marked his
early legislative career, continues TO dis
tinguish him. And as he was then so is
he notU-THE LEADER. Though the power
Of his early eloquence has failed, he hurls
at his opponents and his refractory friends
the same bitter invective, the same burn
ing irony, as in his palmist days. He
always commands attention when he
speaks, for, though few love him, all fear
him. When he rises in debate, his best
description is that given by Milton to
Satan.
Their dread commander, he above the rest
In shape and gesture proudly eminent,
Stood like tower his form had not yet lost
All Its original brightness, nor appeared
Less than archangel ruined but MS face
Deep scars of thunder had entrenched, and
care
Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows
Of dauntless courage and consideIate pride,
Waiting revenge, cruel his eye, but cast
Signs OF remorse and passion to behold
The fellows of his crime, the followers rather.
He differed from Lincoln and his friends
In the war. They contended it was for
the preservation Of the Union-he that it
was for the sul5ugettion et'the South. Dur
ing the war he was in a minority-no,c
he has Congress with him, and if the peo-
pie elect members of Congress holding the
Lincoln theory, he is opposed TO admitting
them. In short, as in 1888, so iE 1867,
having obtained power, he is in favor of
retaining it at aU hazards Whether he
will be able 70 revolutionize the country.
or whether, as in the Buckshot war, it
will prove an abortion, time will show.
In private life Mr.. Stevens is a contra
dlctiOn. He has never made profession
OF religion, yet he is model of temperate
living. He has never been married, and
has no ties to connect him with the future
of his country, which may. account for his
recklessness as to her future interests.
He is about 70 years of age, and his great
est avowed regret is that he cannot live
long enough to sufficiently punish the
whites of the South.
He differs somewhat from Greeley and
Gerrit Smith. They appear to be gov
erned by a spirit of philanthropy is
controlled by misanthropy. IHcy love
the negro-he does not, with perhaps
single excePtion,) but he hotee the whites.
He is u born Rcvolutionist. Had he
lived in France at the time of the French
Revolution, Robespierre would have been
but secondary character, and Stevens
would have ''borne away the PALM"
L have taken considerable space to this
sketch of Mr.. Stevens, as he is just now
the greatest power in the country. The
hump Congress, representing only n por-
tion of the country but making laws for
the whole, has absorbed the powers of the
Executive and Judiciary Departments of
the Government, and Thaddeus Stevens
controls the Rump Congress.
MACSHAxE
In SEAsoN.-While Helmbold's adver-