Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-12-24
THADDEUs STEVENS.
His Ideal Republic-Judgc KelIey's
EuiOgy OF his character.

WASHINGTON December 17th.-During bis eu-
logy on Thaddeus Stevens in the House to-day,
Judge Kelley said Mr.. Stevens was one Of the
most practical of men though his whole life was
colored and influenced by vision. He had In
his boyhood dreamed Of republic broader,
grander, and more benehcent than the republic Of
Plato or the Utopia of Sir Thomas More-a re-
public in which every citizen might know the
christening influence of the family relations and
the joys of home and pursue the secrets OF science
and the pleasures of literature and believing as
he continued to do, in the progress Of our race
and the perfectabity of our institutions, his pub
lie life was devoted to the realization OF this, his
boyhood's beautiful dream. When he dedicated
himself to this work. in which he never faltered,
the southern boundary of our country was near
the thirtyfrst degree of latitude. and the course
the Mississippi defined Its western limits; but he
believed that the inspiring truths expressed in the
Declaration of Independence, and embodied in
our State and Federal Constitutions, would regen-
crate all the governments on the continent.
The theory ofMr. Stevens's ideal republic award
cd home and culture TO each industrious citizen.
With this generous theory slavery was incompa-
tible, and he was, consequently, the sworn and
lnrelenting foe of that accursed institution. He
did not wage war upon slavery because he envied
the wealth and power of the master. He was
wont to thank God for having blest his youth with
poverty, and was ever ready to confront the
naughty master because his great heart sympa-
thized with the outraged and helpless slave.
The severance of the Union would have dispell-
ed Mr.. Stevcnss faith in the ultimate redemption
of the laborlng people of the world from the ig-
norance and ill-paid toll to which they have ever
been subjected. The breaking out of the slave-
holders rebellion seemed to rejuvenate him and
inspire him with superhuman strength. To main
tain the Union he would have exhausted the
country's resources In men and materials Of war
md when the rebellion had been crushed he pro-
posed measures that, had they been adopted,
would have eradicated its cause and rendered its
recurrence impossible.
He did not propose conf,scation as punish
ment to those whose great crime merited 1t. He
was incapable OF vndictvc act. He regarded
the system Of land monopoly, which had prevail
I'd in the South, MS the essential support OF slave
ry, ard he would obliterate H. He knew that
the rebel leaders were conquered but not subdu-
ed, and appreciating the power they derived from
the ownership OF tue land on which the body of
the people were to labor and live he would de-
prye them of that power. He knew that the la
bor oi the slave had given the land of the South
its value, and he would reward the freedman by
giving him homestead as a slight return for the
unrequited work he had done while slave. He
knew that the loyal soldier had saved the South
TO the Union and freedom, and he would invite
him to dwell nndcr his own vine In Its midst and
by his counsels assist in its future government.
He knew that q landed aristOcracy and laudless
class are alike dangerous in republic, and by
single act of justice he would abolish both. Such
were the humane considerations which prompted
him to propose and support measures which the
weak and limc-serving denounced MS harsh and
vindictive.
Mr.. Stevens always believed that fidelity to
Republican principles required Government to
protect those whose toll is the source of all pros
perity against the wrongs and woes endured by
the laborisg people of countries In which social
distinctions are recognized by law, and ancient
evils are regarded as vested rights; and with
what steadiness aud power he endeavored to pro-
tcct tho wages of the American workman, by the
imposition Of adequate duties on the productions
Of the undsr-paid laborers Of Europe, every
gentleman on this floor knows. But he was no
toe to commerce. In the Republic bis youthful
Imagination pictured natu.e lent ali her aids to
The people, The fields gave forth rich harvests
the mines yielded their precious or useful stores
aud each mountain stream, as IL sped its way to
the sea, lightened the burden of man by moving
the machinery he guided without exhaustng
labor. The consumer and the producer were
neighbors the most perfect means of transport
tation facilitated exchanges of commodities, and
tine taxes imposed by middle men and The many
were saved to the producer.
Whether in the Legislature of Pennsylvania or
the Congress Of the United States, no project for
the development of latent resources or improved
transportation that came within his conception
Of constitutional limits ever failed for the want
of his support. In view of our almost linitlesss
range OF climate and soil, and boundless
and diversified agricultural and mineral
resources. he regarded our country as sufficient
not only for its present population, but for
hundreds of millions of people in the enjoy
ment of every material comfort and the
reflnements OF q better than Augustan age.
Regarding our country as the refuge OF all who
could flee from the inequalities of other lands,
and the intelligence OF the people as essential
to its perpetuily, he held it to be the
primary duty of the State to insure the
proficiency ofevery child in "orthograpby, read
Ing, writing, grammar, and arithmetic which, by
the experience of the world, are pronounced to
be the rudimcDtal bcanches of all knowledge"
He would not consent to withhold the privileges
of an eeclor from n man because he was litter
ate and thus punish him because the State had
not done Its duty by him In childhood but he
proposed that The Government should provide
school-houses, teachers, and other appliances for
the education of all children, and then further
enact THAT no father or guardian shall be per-
mitted to vote at any election for any public Off
Ger who shall not have caused at least one half OF
the Iumbcr Of bis children or wards between the
ages of i've and fifteen years, or If he have but
one, that one to offend school during ut least
eight months within each of the years they are
eDtilled to attend school,
To those who believe that the thing that has
been s the thing that shall be forever, and that
that youthful giant, the American Republic, shall
| never escape from the lcading-striugs In which
he has consented to be held by those bed-ridden
hags, the monarchies of Europe, these theories
doubtless, sound like the rawlings of one bereft of
| reason Bnt those who know the attractive in-
iuence OF power, and that the theatre of our ac-
| lion is n virgin continent with lakes, rivers and
| coast lines capable of accommodating In our In
| ternal or domestic commerce commercial ma
| rinc far greater than that which now carries the
commerce Of the world, will regard them as the
sure pruphcsy of The future that is before u.s.
| Mr.. Stevens believed in the possibility of the
commercial independence of the United STATES.
He also knew that when that should be achieved
| the people could bring their domestic relations
into harmony with the fundamental ideas Of their
| republican Government. Wise men will not
| think OF him visionary because he anticipated
coming events aud proposed benehcent changes
before the public mind was ripe for their rectp-
tion. A great truth bravely uttered is never in-
opporiune Nor do time and age blunt the apt
ness of such utterances; and the advanced pl opo-
sitons aud fervid words with which Thaddeus
Stevens so often stirred our blood aud swayed
our judgment will saape the future OF the coun-
| try. When the age is ripper other lips will echo
them with persuasive and conclusive force. Then
| the American people, instead OF asking the little
| natlonalties of Europe what they may do, will
dictate .he internal policy those nations must
adopt on pain of seeing their most valuable citi-
| zens alured BY our happier condition, come to
| swell the power and grandeur of the great Re-
public Then will his dream be fulfilled, and
| then will the world behold the fitting monument
| of Pennsylvania greatest statesman. TnADDEus
| STEVENS.
Congress and suffr age.
From the Philadelphia Morning Post.l
| Rafnrn tho Eortiath Conprnss ceases we