New-York tribune., 1868-08-13
VoL. XXVIII.....No' 1892.
WASHINGTON.
r,rI1 or TUADDEUs STEVENS.

s.,e.rr- pNl
COMMISSIONERS ROLLINS-sECALIA"l oOAV-
FIELB-GEN. ROsECEANo' 900
V.s5lyGroN wednesday, Aus u, lsC8
The telegraph told the readers OF THE TRIBUNE
,,or,,i,,, tba. Thaddeus Stevens died in this city
last night. precisely at y o'clock. The sad event
was known in every newspaper office in the country
within few minutes after its occurrence, but the
lateness Of the hour forbade account OF the clos
inc moments of the Old CommOner. One Of the most
unnrc.ending houses in one of Washngton's most
dupretending streets, Mr.. Stevens, during the ses-
sions of Congress had for many years past made ms
home And there he died. Inside that little two
story brick house. with its seven windows fronting
o, the street. half shaded by a row of fine linden
trees. were born and matured most If not all,
of those important measures OF legislation
which have become woven into the his
tc9y Of the Republic, and which will remain
monument more enduring than bronze to the
memory of the great Pennsylvania. There, during
the last and preceding sessions of Congress. Cabinet
officers, foreign ministers, senator's representatives
Il Vspaper correspondents and the public visited
MI stevens TO learn his views on every pending
IL asurc. TO ascertain what course he would pursue
o. question after question, and to hear from his lips
wi.,ls of counsel and advice. And so far as the
representatives Of the press are concerned, II IS
bt lust to say that NJ Stevens was hardly ever too
uuvrU TO see auy journalist who called on hln' III
bskinducss of heart he once said TO the writer OF
this dispatch: am sick indeed, but never too
in to see YOU and through you all my good friends
of THE TRIBUNE Come to me at any time whenever
Y, are in difficulty or doubt and will do all can
fo-your Again and again through the stormy nights
OF last Winter and Spring, the lights were at a
late hour abaZe in his simDy-furnlShed rooms ana
The Reconstruction Committee, the Appropriation
Committee, and later, the Board of Managers Of In
r.o.hmcut were there assembled, when he was too
u.ven to leave his home During the last six months
Air Stevens rarely walked out even TO the Capitol
on account Of his eufoebled health. He was weak
daring the Impeachment trial that he was day after
day taken in a chair to his seat at the Managers
table When he could possibly bear the fatigue
he went TO the House He made speech from
The clerks desk a few days before Congress adj
iourned and then gathered around him the usual
knot of eager listeners. For the last two years Mr.
Steyens's health had been gradually failing. Month
after month glided by and found him weaker and
weaker Indeed It was a common remark in poht-
ical circles here that he was kept alive solely by po-
Htcal excitement and his own strong will that he
would not die until he had seen some solution OF the
difficulties and dangers that surrounded the nation
He died in the service of the country as truly and
nobly as ever did soldier on the battle field.
When Congress adjourned, two weeks ago, he alone,
the master spirit was too faint worn out, and ex-
hausted to return to his home and the constituents
whom he had served so faithfully so long,
and so we'll His friends from day to
Gav hoped for change for the better.
At one time he was seemingly strong and
cheerful and smiled at the mention OF the plans tor
the future. Then again came hours OF weakness
when he seemed at the point of death. Within the
last two weeks be was attacked by diarThea which
suDernduced his decease. THE TRIBUNE for the last
II days contained almost daily bulletins OF his cond-
ton His friends were anxious about him but
still not more so than on many and many
previous occasion. He had fought so many fights
he had Outliyed so many attacks that II was iondly
hoped that enough Of yigor and vitality remained IN
his once strong constitution 70 the malady
TO which he succumbed. Indeed, he was so far re-
covered at the end of last week that preparations
were made for his return to his home at Lancaster
The members Of his household were sanguIne that
he might be able TO travel within week
Only the day before yesterday Mr.. Simon Stevens
was 80 confident of this that he intmated the fact to
your correspondent. Mr. Stevens himself was APP
parently so much improved that his attendants ven
tured 10 show him, and read TO him some of the
newspaper dispatches relative to his health
Mr.. Stevens's condition during Monday and yester-
dav morning was such as to give hope to his friends
that he might recover He maintained full posses
sion of his faculties TO the last, and chatted freely
and intelhgently with the members Of his
household. Many personal and political friends
called at his residence yesterday 10 inquire
about his health. Thaddeus Stevens, jr. and
his nephew, Simon Stevens, his relative Mrs. Smith,
his housekeeper, and the Sisters of Charity, were
constantly in attendance on him. Mr. Stevens en-
terained deep affection for the Sisters and they
in turD watched over and tended him for months
rad months past, during his many hours Of i'll
ness. He was nu1sed by them with the tender
est solicitude the only return they could make him
for the interest which he had taken in their institu
ton, Providence Hospital about lOminutes walk from
hi residence. Mr. Steyenss liberal heart knew no
distinction OF race creed. lie was instrumental in
procuring from Congress appropriations for this
institution amounting to upward of $GOOOO and it
may truly he said that it stands a monument of his
charity and humanity.
At o'clock yesterday evening Mr.. Stevens's death
WAS not expected by his friends and least Of all by
himself lie was very weak it is true but no one
bALIoheu iAhdl tIt emu was ~ lcdI al manu-. his
active spirit never faltercd to the last. His last
hours were smooth and tranquil He knew that life
and death were struggling for the mastery, as may
b. gathered from the following incident:
A few DAYS ago the physician changed his medicine.
MIR Stevens az once noticed the change, and said,
"YOu have changed my medicine, have you not T.
"Ycs.7 well this is a square fight :" and as he
said so his face was Illuminated by grim smile Of
mingled humor and determination.