The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-12


throughout the war he gave evidence OF a devotion
and patriotism to the Union cause which, more than
POSITION which he occupied the time Of his death
He opposed the biockadlng OF the sou.hern p ofts
the ground that BY 50 doing the rebels sw
full bellgerents, and an opportunity given 10
foreign Powers for recognition as such
rights accorded to the South by the United states ne
took up the position that the seeded States had left
the Union and mad ceased to be q component part OF
the government Even after the rebellion had been
suppressed he advocated this doctrine, and in letters
ana public speeches declared that the southern e
ct to the will OF the conqueror SO far did he carry
ths idea that on more than one occasion ne asserted
the impossbity of the government to try any oil the
rebels for treason. He held that they were prisoners
war the captive adherents and representatives OF
d foreign POWER and therefore amenable 10 no civil
tribunal for a crime which in his estimation hey
could not possibly commit.
HOLDING such views as those given IN the foregoing
paragraph 1t Is not surprising that Mr.. stevens was
among the earliest opponents OF Mr. JohnsOn's
pScy; AS early as september 1862 when tne sound
upon the ear he gave in public speech at Lancas-
ter his policy upon reconstruction. 1t startling
these deas:-First and a preface that the South
committed no treason, but was foreign Power con-
quered by our arms; second, the conflscation OF
1884, 900, 900 acres OF land and its distribution fol-
lows-40 100000 acres to be given to the negroes in
farms OF forty acres EACH and the remainder to be
sold, and the proceeds, which he estimated at
O0O OO0 to be applied 10 the extinction Of the
debt In ss ne ad ne mot Sqnay
limited that the political equality OF the blacks
should be made an absolute condition on
to Congress. When the political war be-
tween the President and Congress broke ont
he OF the earliest and 1ercest antagonists OF
Mr.. Johnson. He had been for some years past the
leader OF the republican party In the House OF Rep
and although man, ny Ok aGd
speeches and measures, and the utter absence OF
any conservatism in his policy enabled him to retain
this position even when majority OF his party OPP
posed him. The repeated vet0es OF the President
exasperated him TO such an extent that when the
upon it with .avidity and aided greatly in
the passage Of the resolution ordering a
s0g 70 for mpeacSns the fs
During the late Impeachment trial Mr. Stevens was
leading spirit among the MANAGERS although ne ne
conducting the court business OF the prose-
cution, owing to his Ill health. But when
there was possibility Of acqutta he seized the
opportunity presented by his being assigned to make
more than his usual vepemence upon any member Of
the republican party in the Senate who might prove
aa vote for upon 'ne
avail. Seven members OF his party voted,
Notwithstanding his threats, against conyic-
the few days preceding this Mr.. Stevens was borne
into the senate Chamber in the arms OF stout men,
so rapidly was his health falling From this one may
Judge of the virulence OF his hostility to the Presi-
dent, and again from the fact that some time after
Senators from the south had arrived ali biassed
against Mr. Johnson he again introduced articles OF
impeachment in the House, which were, however,
postponed until next session.
OF him 1t can be truly said that although through
out life his political predictions were OF the most
bitterest enemy. There was no tempOrizlng in his
nature policy was to him the expression or convic-
ton and the concealment OF an intention for the
purpose OF Turing men to support that which they
would oppose If aware OF. And this rough ana at
times uncOuth candor will mark him as one or the
most honest politicians that the United states ever
AS private character Mr.. Stevens was nearly, II
not utterly, unknown. Like his political antipodes,
Mr.. Buchanan he never married, but resided in
bacheorhood at Lancaster, his residence being In
charge of colored woman, who had been IN his
service as housekeeper for many years. In fact to
take away his pub ic life would be to reduce him to
to his immediate friends we are assured, and that
at heart he was most humane and charitable man
many persons who have witnessed his humanity
and are aware OF his charities have averred.
But, AZ a general rule the amenities OF
social life were irksome and often distateful
his political ideas into his personal feelings
that they became one and inseparable. We must,
Character. AS such O he was possessed Of grim
humor which never failed to excite hearty laughter
when directed either at his enemies or those OF his
| One Of his most CHASTITY jokes was In applying the
words mild condscationn to his proposition to sell
| nearly four hundred millions OF acres OF land be-
longing to ex-rebes and pay the national debt with
| the proceeds. In Congress he was very successful
as he Thought proper by taanting them with
| cowardce and with having particles OF the old
constitution sticking In their Kidneys" HIS manner
but II never failed to command the attention OF the
House. Pausng for moment In his remarks he
slowly surveying the house would draw down the
OF HIS mouth until the expression Of his face
when he opened his lips give utterance to the
bitter sarcasms which trembled upon them. Within
pass sd age
caused his language TO be weak, tremulous, and
| frequently ndistinct SO broken down was he dur
ing the last session OF Congress that he was COM
PEELED to request the Clerk OF the House
| to complete reading the great speech he had then
commenced to deliver His skill In managing polti-
| cal parties was astonishing Many will remember
how he manipulated the democrats into voting with
republicans were IN favor OF. This was one OF the
few times when his republican colleagues re0elled
against his authorty but In using the democrats to
support him he finally compelled the rebels to agree
to his views. and they were adopted. Party disci-
served his IDEAS, but the moment Il cashed with
them he allied himself with the opposition with
much GOODNESS as II he had done nothing Of an ex-
In looking back upon the life Of Thaddeus stevens
one cannot fail 70 be impressed with the TACT tnat nc
trlvialites" for the purpose Of gaining his end:
question to settle, he was arsshted enough to align
himself upon the finally successful side. Possessed
comparative insgni1cance until he had attained a
greater actual power than the President Of the United
States ever had. Posterity may forget
Sumner, Garrison and other great lights OF
abolitionism, but 1t can never forget him.
Despite his personal animosties his advocacy Of q
revengeul policy upon the South snd his lack Of true
statesmanshp, he is one OF those who must ever
take prominent part In the history Of this republic.
II his impetuosity OF temper and falling Of rushing
into extremes have somewhat marred his many SER
vices his country they have not obliterated them.
Recognizing, then, these services they must always
be admitted and while II would be diflcult to pre-
dict what position In the annals will be assigned to
him by another generation, his honesty OF purpose,
hard toll for and devotion to the republic WILL ever
be pleasing memories Of Thaddeus stevens.
EIlR OPEAM MARIE