The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-12
o B IT U A RY
Thaddeus Stevens.

O'Clock last night at his residence in Washington,
d. c., on Capitoline HILL Simon Stevens Thaddeus |
Stevens Jr., @ nephew, and his housekseper, Mrs. |
Smith, were at his beside, also sister Loretta and
sister Genevieve, OF the Providence Hospital, and
j. Scott Patterson of the Interior Department, and
the servants of his household. Breathing his last he
passed away quietly and calmly without struggle,
as though falling asleep
The death of man In the United states could &C.
casion more excitement than has the announcement
of that Of the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens OF Pennsyva-
MA His demise was an event, 1t Is true, expected
for some time past but his previous recoveries from
several severe attacks had made it likely that he
would live at least until his cherished political
schemes had either been finally successful or had
persisted beneath the adverse will OF the people.
When. therefore, the intelligence arrived OF his
having expired in Washington last night, 1t created
profound sensation
Thaddeus stephens was born in Caledonia county,
Vermont, on the 4th Of April 1893. He received an
excellent education at Dartmouth College, New
Hampshire at which place he graduated in 1914.
During the same year he removed to Pennsylvania,
where he obtained subordinate position in an
academy, and while engaged in teaching others took
advantage OF whatever spare time he could obtain In
devoting himself to the study Of law. Two years
subsequently he presented himself for examina
ton and was admitted to the bar OF Adams
county, at which he soon distinguished himself
for his legal attainments, and gathered
around him large and lucrative practice.
Entering into politics he became member Of the
whig organization, then the dominant political party
in Pennsylvania, but for many years he obtained no
positions in its gift excepting such as were COM
prised IN nominating and other party conventions.
In 1885, however, Ire made his first appearance as
recipient of the peoples favor being then elected to
tho Dor mic UtoIo trra bnId tha
position OF State legislator Mr.. Stevens first ex
hibited that bodness in the expression of his
timents which afterwards greatly distinguished him
as member of Congress. Here also, he displayed
whatever talents he possessed and made himself par
ucularly popular among the people and politicians
From 1883 to 1888 Mr.. Stevens remained in the
Legislature, beng're.elected at the expiration OF
each term by increased majOrities. One Of his first
who l'f belonged to the order Of Masonry. He gave
countenance to- II he was not the author Of an inqui
ston to ferret out the secrets of Masonry, and to
this end many men were arrested and brought before
disclose the secrets Of their order Among those who
were thus arrested were the late Governors Wolfe
and skunk George NJ Dallas and the Rev. Mr..
thus early developed within him never died,
to show that 1t still existed. II will be remembered
that during the extra session Of last summer when
1t was positively ascertaned that majority OF the
members OF Congress opposed the Impeachment Of
the President, Mr.. Stevens In the course of speech
relating TO the subject, broadly inSnuated that the
opposition to the plan arose from the fact that Mr.
Johnson was member OF Masonic Lodge This
insinuation was, Of course, Indignantly denied by
Mr. Wilson, chairman OF the Judiciary Committee;
but it served to show that the enmity OF Mr. Stevens
against the order not only not extinguished, but
existed In as lively and intense form as when he
aided in the persecution of its members.
warm political partisan, and possessed or an
aggressive disposition which could not brook OppO-
ston or defeat it was not long before Mr.. stevens
became plunged with Others, in serious and nearly
bloody affair. During the contest for Governor OF
Damn LYON n w
with considerable bitterness by the speakers on both
sides. Governor Rner, the incumbent Of the ONCE,
Porter was at the head OF the democratic ticket
After q fierce struggle the democracy carried the
Governor. Chagrlned by defeat, the leaders OF the
wing party sought q preteXt on which to forcioly
retain power and this was found n the a S
Irregular and was consequently invalid. The friends
| of Governor Ritner, among whom was Mr.. Stevens,
torai chair, and amid Intense excitement through.
out the state two Legislatures assembled at Harris
burg and organized. Urged on by his friends Rtner
issued proclamation calling out the militia to sup
| press an Impending outbreak, which summons was
answered by an Immense number of democrats flock
| ing TO the capital determined to sustain Governor
Porter The result OF this affair was that Rner and
his supporter, were sompeed, to give Tay
vens had taken in this disturbance rendered
the people, whose feelings against him were so
enraeed that he Is said to have made rather hasty
consequence Of the personal violence with which he
| was threatened. so serious indeed, were the dan.
gers threatened, that, although q member elect OF
The Legislature he did not attend that session, but
remained at his home among his constituents In
safety In addition to his position as representa-
tive Mr.. Stevens In 1885 was member OF ehe con-
venton which revised the State constitution, and In
1888 was appointed canal commissioner. This last
office however was lost by the success Of the demo-
In 1912 Mr.. stevens left Adams county, which had
become democratic, and removed to Lancaster,
|
ing political sentiment was more N unison with his
own For several years ne remained eS private life
taking deep interest In the political affairs OF the
country. In ls4s he reappeared IN the arena OF
gress nom the Eighth NOW NINTH district, and was
how, after the lapse Of years, men and things
become changed. When MI. stevens first entered
Con Wntsrop, Of Massachusetts; A. H. Stephens
| and Robert Toombs, Of Georgia; Charles 8. More
head. OF Kentucky, Horace Greeley. Thomas N.
| living who were prominent men OF the time, and Of
whom not one In four remained his political ally
however how Mr.. Stevens w was q friend Of many who
afterwards became prominent secessionists and rebel
leaders, and whom since the rebellion he has so
often denounced In terms Of great bitterness His
| first term In Congress was unmarked by any act
Of importance, nevertheless he gave much salts.
| faction to his constituents, and being renoIni.
Upon the expiration of this second ser% Re
some time he kept aoof from politics. He did not,
however, long remain quiet The organization OF
the republican party warmly enlisted his Efforts and
he engaged In IL with great ardor. bitter and I'M
CONFRONTING enemy to the institution OF slavery he
saw In the embryo party road which led to the
emancipation Of the slaves. Consistent to the last
and always honest and outspoken In his opinions. he
freely and repeatedly declared that the mission OF
the republican party TO destroy slavery, such de-
clarations being made when the more promi1ent
leaders were theoretically denying such purpose
and loudly declaring that their desire was
simply to prevent the extension OF the inst
tuition. Bat be that as 1t may. Mr. stevens
firmly adhered 10 his views, and was the principal,
n not the actual organizer OF the republican party In
Pennsylvania. In 1855 General Fremont became the
Presidential standard bearer OF the infant party and
the very large vote he received In Pennsylvania
must be attributed to Mr. stevens Efforts than
to those OF any other man In the state. AS was
have been defeated there had not the fact or there
being third candidate Mr. Filmorel In the field
cd many from voting for Fremont who would