The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-13
SCENES AT HIS DEATH BED.
opinion Of Attorney General Evarts on
the Revenue COmmiSSiOnerShip.
The Office Not Vacated by MIR. Rol-
Inns Resignation.
WASHINGTON, August IL, 1868.

gloom here to-day. The nags on tne Captoi ana all
public buildings were at half-mast. Although the
death of Mr. Stevens has been looked for nearly
every day for the past six months when 1t occurred
It seemed to come upon the community quite unex-
pectedy. The usual daily bulletins announcing his
health had led to believe that he was fast gaining
strength enough to carry him to his home In Pennsyl-
vania, and it was generally believed that he would
leave here for Lancaster about the middle of this week.
The principal disease which affected Mr.. Stevens
disease Of the heart, is known to be Of the most
treacherous Of all the human ailments He has for
long time been lab0ring under the effects of this
complaint, and about year ago 1t was greatly ag-
gravated by an attack Of dropsy, which tended to
exhaust his physical energies, and after every
occasion of excitability or unusual bodily
exertion left him il. d very Frustrated con-
dition. That he was fully prepared for the end
there Is no doubt for he had long been OF the
rail tenure by which he held his life. Yesterday he
remarked to those around him that he was hpidly
sinking and had no hope Of ever resumlng his ac-
eustomed seat in the Capitol. The camness and even
eheerfulness evlnced by him so long as speech was
left him were remarked by those at his bedside, who
drew from the lesson be forgotten On
Monday he expressed considerable anxiety in regard
TO the state Of the country induced mainly perhaps
by the current reports Of apprehended trouble in Lou
siana. He expressed a strong desire that Mr. John
son would abstain from any measures of character
calculated to disturb the public tranquility and
hoped that no necessity might arise for the reassem
bling OF Congress in September. In conversation
with MI Simon stevens about the same time he re-
1erred to Mr. Evarts the Attorney General in terms
OF marked Kindness and confidence Yesterday al
noon symptoms Of approaching death were OBJ
served by those attendant upon him. He still was
able to converse with those around him with com
parative ease until between four and five O'Clock,
Wh ha no hat cxtit,y,,
hculty he moved or spoke. From many expressions
he used during the afternoon 1t very evident he
was fully aware OF his approaching end. ii physi-
clan asked him about seven O'Clock how he felt.
His reply was Every mean, doctor.n Mr.. Stevens
slowly declined from this time, but to the very
minute Of his death he enjoyed the clearest
use OF his faculties. His mind retained to the last
Its characteristic vigor, and he still possessed the
power Of speech. Not more than three minutes be-
fore his death he beckoned Mr.. Simon Stevens TO-
wards him and said "Gve me some ice." Mr.. Ste
vens passed around the foot OF the bed to the other
SIDE obtained the ice and started to return to the
where the invalid lay. He noticed as he approached
him, q sudden pallor overspread his face. When he
reached the side Of the bed the life OF Thaddeus
Stevens had passed into eternity.
About ten minutes before his death sister Laretta
requested the permission OF his friends 10 perform
the religious ceremony OF baptism and no objection
being offered the ceremony was performed amid
impressive silence which was rendered more i'm
pressve by the stiffness the late hour OF the night
AT this time his breathing very INSTRUCTED
and Ire seemed TO suffer from violent palpitation OF
the heart, but this passed OF, and during five min
utes before he breathed his last he lay mo-
tonless and quiet II in gentle sleep.
To her who performed II this act undoubtedly ap.'
peared one OF great importance, and the earnest and
anectionate devotion with which 1t was done
strangely affected those who witnessed II, even
those holding different faith from hers II Is
worthy OF note that the sisters whose benevolent
words had been so heartily seconded by the great
departed In furnishing aid and lending his legislative
efforts in behalf OF the institution TO which
they are Observation-Disclosures Hospital-vsi.
ted him daily during his illness and manifested
q devotion which showed how fully they ap-
preciated the charitable and benencent spirit
which had marked the life that 30 rapidly
drawing to @ close Many persons called to see him
last evening, but none were admitted until after
about six O'Clock, when two colored clergymen
named Read and Hall, who had some months before
expressed desire to pray with him, were sent for
ct his request, and coming TO his bedside invoked
the divine blessing on him. One Of these coored
men was at the deathbed OF John quincy Adams.
Mr.. Stevens seemed somewhat affected at the
prayers Of these minister's and at the close thanked
them with feeble voice and pressure Of the hand.
Mr.. Stevens had long been expecting TO be called
away from this life, and had grown familiar as II
were with the King OF Terrors. so little dread did
the near approach OF the great destroyer inspire
him with that he frequently INDUCED In a serious
Joke on the subject While the High Court OF I'm.
parchment In session Mr.. stevens was III that
he had TO be carried In arm chair from his car
Wage to his seat in the Senate Chamber. For this
purpose two stalwart men were employed by him.
In xVhn I'M ha hora INN
occasion, as they were bearing him up the Capitol
steps, he looked over his shoulder al each OF them
and remarked with grim smile, what will | do
for some one TO carry me when you are dead and
gone" Mr.. Stevens In his religious belief inclined
towards the Baptist faith, In which he had been
trained by his mother. He was never a regular
attendant on divine worship although he held the
profession OF religion In the greatest reverence.
Being asked occasion as 70 his religious be.
lief he replied that he took for his guides his mother
and st. Paul. He strove to perform his duty to.
wards his fellow man and trusted the rest to God.
Every Sunday during his illness he was visited by
Major General Howard, with whom he became quite
intimate. IL was General Howard's custom on these
occasions to read to him from the Bible or some
religious book and talk to him concerning the
future OF the soul Mr.. Stevens during these exer.
cises invariably listened with great reverence and
marked attention, but when these ceremonies were
concluded he nearly always manifested feeling
OF relief for as he often said he dreaded long
mons as much as he did long speeches.
During the past few years OF his life Mr. Stevens
had devoted himself to the encouragement and ad-
vancement OF all charitable institutions, and among
them the Columbia Hospital, Soldiers and Sailors
Home, Deaf and Dumb Asylum and the Providence
Hospital, In this city, were materially benefited
by his exertions In their behalf The Provi-
dence Hospital especially has been almost en-.
tirely established through his efforts. The hospi-
tai was nrst started by private subscriptions
and placed in charge Of the Sisters of Charity OF the
Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Stevens contracted
very great esteem for these pous, benevolent and
noble women, and frequently said they seemed to
him TO labor for no reward hut such as they might
IND In heaven. With great difnculty he succeeded
IN obtaining from Congress appropriation for the
lncn.x al.... ofah l..n.. 49,.