Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-08-19
From Our Washington Correspondent.

Thaddeus Stevens, which oecurred az ms resi-
dencc in this city at twelve o'clock, midnight,
on Tuesday the 18th inst.
For nearly two years, that grand old veto
ran, with that unconquerable will and irwin
chile determination which were ever his
strongest characteristics, had waged a hand
to hand contest with death.
Solely sustained by this will, and his de-
termination to live to see his great life work
completed, he has successfully struggled a
gainst the infrmities of age and the repeated
attacks Of disease until his life seemed to be
miraculously prolonged
Upon the late adjournment Of Congress,
the excitement that had seemed to sustain
him was withdrawn, aud he at once took his
bed worn out and exhausted. 1t was soon
evident to his friends aud visitors that his
DAYS were numbered and that it only re-
auired some slight exciting cause to hasten
the end. This occurred on Monday in the
form of an attack Of dysentery, under which
he rapidly failed until Tuesday evening when
he passed quietly and peacefully away, as
though dropping into gentle sleep
At the time of his death he was surrounded
by Simon Stevens, Thaddous Stevens, Jr,
distant, though his nearest relations,) Mr..
Patterson, Of the Interior Department; Mrs
Smith, his housekeepcr; servants, and Sisters
loretta and Geneviove Of the Providence
Hospita-Sisters Of Charity This institu-
ton is endowed or supported by the Govern.
ment, and Mr. Stevens as chairman Of the
appropriation committee, had always taken
an active interest in its welfare and support.
Consequently. during his sickness he was al
most constantly attended by two Or more Of
its attending Sisters of Charity, who are the
most careful and skillful of nurses.
About thirty minutes before his death, the
two Sisters in attendance expressed an earnest
desire to administer the rite of baptism to the
dying statesman. No objection being made
by the others present, it was accordingly per-
formed although he was at the time uncon-
scious so that he could neither yield personal
assent nor ntcrposc objection.
Mr. Stevens was not member Of the
Catholic church, and never in his life expressed
any intentions of ever becoming so. In con.
sequence of this ceremony having been per-
formed however, it will doubtless be claimed
that he was death-bed convert to the faith
Of the Holy Church.
His remains were Immediately embalmed
and on Thursday morning, suitable arrange
ments having been made, they were deposited
in the rotunda of the Capitol, where they
were exposed ain state" during the day and
evening. The Butler zouaves, a fine coloreo
company from Georgetown acted as a guard
of honor; standing on either side Of tht
caiafalque supporting the coffin, preserving
order and directing the continuous line Of per
Sons that during the day poured through tht
rotunda, to gaze for the last time upon thu
familiar features of the departed statesman
In the evening the dome was lifted, with ii
thousands of invisible gas jets, flooding III,
rotunda with radiance Ike MONDAY. Upor
entering from the west, the first thing tina
struck the eye was the orderly stacks Of arm
of the guards, whose FURNISHED barrels ant
cleaning bayonets flashed with light as thougl
self luminous. Upon the arms rested tn
folded banner of the company, draped il
mourning. just beyond stood the coossa
statue Of Lincoln Immediately in front O
which, and under the exact centre Of the dome
rested the catafalque and coffin.
The latter was of solid rosewood coverc
with black cloth plainly, simply, but richl
trimmed with silver handles, aud thickl
studded along the edges with silver heade
nails, which at short distance gave the eifec
of being continuous rod of metal
A broad shield upon the top bore the sim
pie inscription;
..H.. ...|.|.
"TnADpEus STEVENS,
Born itl April, 1882,
Died nth August, i5os."
..... .N..I.. -. i.s
The coffin was covered and festooned wit