The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-07-16
An Interview with Thaddeus Stevens.

An Interview with Thaddeus Stevens.
Mary Il. Thropp publishes the follow
ing account of an interview with Thad-
deus Stevens:
Mr.. Stevens sat at the head Of his ia
bic, in the long, cool committee room,
alone. Looking pale and wasted, but his
own calm superior self, notwithstanding.
He welcomed us with a kindly CLEAN in
his clear, gray eye, gave to each his fec
BILE hand, and drew seats for our little
party on either side of him. Turning to
Mrs. Taylor (mother of Bayard Taylor a
most delightful old LADY,, he said, "I was
at Kennett Square once. Twenty years
ago, or more, one named Cooper or
Hooper and myself spoke to the homes
Quakers Of Kcnnett on the abolition ques-
tion from wood pile. Some years after,
when | was elected to Congress, L rcccv-
cd letter from one of them, written in
this style Friend Stevens, thee and that
other man promised us big things years
ago, on our wood pile. did not believe
thee then, but have watched thee since,
and thou hast spoken truth 4; but as for
that other man with thee, he lied all the
way through"
Mr.. Stevens said he lcent by Valley
Forge on that occasion, having an engage
mcnt next day to speak at Norristown.-
We regretted the. fact. He said he did
too; nothing should take him by that old
classic ground Of America if he had it to
do again.
Whilst We were enjoying the converse
ton of "thc old man eloquent" across
the hall of the peoples house, in the SEN
ate the impeachment trial was pending,
and We asked him if he was sanguinc as
to the'conyiction of the President lie
shook his head Gas long as it depends
on mans decision, no." Poor human ma
turc No honest office holder that comes
here, if he does right, can get one dollar
ahead, and yet L marvel to see men, poor
when they came here, go outof that Sen
ate worth half million.
We had been shown the day before q
threatening letter written to Mr.. Stevens
by the kn-klux Klan, telling him "to
prepare )" that "his days were number
ed" etc. On being asked if he feared
them, he said, "Not now; it is too
late" Said he had received more than
a barrel Of threatening letters in the time
from the South, but they had ceased to
disturb him long ago. If God willed, he
should like to see the dear old govern
ment in the right groove once more, and
running smoothly on, but he feared that
was impossible now.
Turning to our sweet sister with look,
the solemn beauty of which | shall never
forget, he said at may be something
for your young friend here to remember,
that when | came to Washington last
autumn, scarcely expecting to live a cou-
pie Of days, [ felt as calm and tranquil in
view of death, as do this pleasant morn
ing. True, have very little property,
and no children; am consequently free
from the cares that harrass most -
'If only" he added with profound sigh,
"If only peace were secured to our be-
loved country" On being assured that
VIC could not spare him yet, that the pco-
pie needed him, would pray that his life
might be prolonged, he seemed touched
and replied "Ah, this worn-out body is
very wcarisome ; the days have come for
ME when there is no pleasure in them"
ID DOoSiUlC W UO Win WI OtN-
vcns, or hear him speak for half an hour,
without having the conviction forced
homo that the man is merged in the pa
triot. 'Self-abncgation is the keynote to
his character, and, may add, to his sue
cess. Who does not know that Thad-
deus Stevens has asked of our Govern
ment no remuneration for the destruction
of valuable property, the result of his cx-
tcnsiyc legal practice, by the rebel raid
ers, during the war? Who does know,
for Thaddeus Stevens gives, and forgets,
that when Mrs Lydia Jane Pearson could
not maintain herself and lathcrless child
by her pen, Mr.. Stevens sent her decd
of gift for her snug little homestead farm?
Dear "Uncle Thad," sublime old man
Well may Anna Dickinson say, 81 feel
proud as a crowned queen, when | think
L came from the State that produced
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