The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-19


population, we have known many instances
where colored children were admitted to the
common schools, and of no case where they
were denied admission. 1t is only in large
towns or cities of this State that classified
schools become practicable, and II is probable
that in practice the proposed Louisiana system
would become similar to that prevailing here.
The Inner Life of Thaddeus Stevens.
A HYPocRITICAI man is apt to attempt by
means of his will to cover the sins of his life
A man thoroughly honest, to whom even his
bitterest enemies cannot impute dishonest
action, is apt to let the public see by his
will what were the real mainsprings and
motive powers of his career. Mr.. Thaddeus
Stevens, with all the faults of his imperious
temper, was most strikingly disingenuous in
his conduct, and we may safely look into the
inner thoughts of the man when we read his
last testament It lifts the veil with which his
oOldness and reserve have covered his thoughts
and feeling, and let's us see for ourselves what
insight it gives us into the life of that stern
old man. 1t reveals him to us not as the cold
statesman, resolute and determined, unscru-
pulous in the pursuit of his end and un-
bending in his principles but as a
tender hearted, loving son he stands before
us looking back with all the affections of
his nature to his mother, and clustering
around her all the sympathies and sweet
affections of his life. He said on his death
bed that of all the successes of his life, that
which gave him most satisfaction, was when
he was able to give his mother farm of two
hundred and fifty acres, and dairy of four
teen COWS. No one, friend o. foe, will say
that in speaking this Thaddeus Stevens was a
hypocrite. That filial affection so marked to-
relief in his will. From his grave he bears
his testimony to his mother's worth, and at
the age Of seventy seven, speaks of her with
all the affection of a boy of fourteen. Twice
does he show how earnest was his love.
Among the first of all the bequests of his will,
we find one which provides for the perpetual
establishment OF her grave. He directs:-
II give and bequeath to the trustees or title
be lders of the graveyard in which my mother
anu brother Aianson are buried, in the town OF
Per cham Vermont, five hundred dollars, to be
put at interest perpelually, and the interest to
be paid annually TO the sexton on condition
1lont roses and other cheerful Ho,ttrs at each of
The four corners OF said graves every spring"
Who is it that can dare to pretend to read
the nature of man9 What seer would have
given that stern, cold, old man credit for.
amid all the cares of state, making provision
for the almost poetical wish that his mother's
grave should always be surrounded by "cheer-
ful'' flowers. AS the warm heart of Governor
Andrews, of Massachusetts, flashed out in his
directions to "send home the dead soldiers ten
derly," so the warmth of Thaddeus Stevens
heart is revealed in the directions to keep his
mothers grave perpetually surrounded with
cheerful flowers. But as though desirous Of
preventing all mistake Of the love he bore her.
he takes another opportunity of reiterating his
feelings. Belonging to no church himself yet
for her sake he leaves legacy to peculiar
denomination. He says:-
"Item-If within five years after my death
the Baptist brethren should build q house of
public worship in the city of Lancaster, for the
purpose OF worshtpping according to their
towards its cost. I do this out Of respect for the
enery Of my otaer to cnn who ,,s ogs yhGt q H'e ~
desire emphattcatty TO acknowledge"
In all this there is something very touching,
ever faults he might have had.
In addition to other private bequests he
makes a provision which shows how earnes'
and sincere were his convictions. He provides
for the establishment under certain contingen-
cies, of an orphan asylum, and into it are to
be admitted all of the needy who can be ac-
commodated, without any distinctions s0hateuer.
There is something partaking of the highest
order of Christianity in the directions given
81 give 1t all to my trustees to erect, establish
and endoW q house of refuge for the relief OF the
homeless and INDECENT orpnans. Those shall be
deemed orphans who have lost either parent.
demise twenty thousand dollars TO be expended
in erecting suitable buildings the residue TO be
secured in Government securities. bearing not
less than six per cent. interest. The orphans
who cannot be bound out may remain in the
institution until the age OF fifteen years, and
longer, If intrm, at the discretion OF the trus-
tees. They shall all be carefully educated In
the various branches of an English education,
and In all industrious trades and pursuits. This
must be left to the discretion OF the authorities
No preference shall be SholOn on account Of race or
color IN the admission or treatment. Neither poor
Germans Irish, or Mdhomi eddnS, nor any others
S S,orenfs q be- encded the nmstes snail
be educated in the same classes and manner,
without regard to color"
We believe there is no other will which has
taken such broad grounds. Recognizing the
universal brotherhood of men, he does not
allow birth or race, religion or nationality, to
interfere with his benevolent views. With
such words and feelings as these multitude
of sins can be covered. In his heart was a
love and fellow feeling for all mankind, and
when we remember the widespread charity
L - 1..k, oI,aoA