Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-09-08
Lancaster fntelligenrer.
MONDAY EvENINa. SEPT, 8 lss4.
A CalI Upon Executors.

Uni Pv" 1NNN"'V'S' |
We notice In the Philadelphia Bulletin
q criticism upon the neglected condition
of Thaddeus Stevens grave. Says our
contemporary g 1t is overgrown with
weeds, forlorn in its general shabbiness,
neglected, deserted spot that does no
honor to the dead and certainly none to
the living. II Mr.. Stevens estate is un
equal to the task of keeping his grave in
decent order, Laucaster's city pride |
ought to take care Of it," Perhaps Mr..
Stevens executors may have something |
TO say in explanation. The city of Ian.
caster does not think that 1t needs to |
offer any excuse in the matter.
1t does not have charge OF Mr..
Stevens grave. When living he
was distinguished citizen OF
Lancaster, by reason of his talents
which were very great but whether
they were wisely used is question upon
which its citizens differed then and differ
now. Mr.. Stevens did not have that
universal applause among the citizens of
Lancaster in his life, which calls upon
all its people, through its city governments
to reverence and care for his grave The
Bulletin is quite mistaken in supposing
that a mature judgment of ones fellow
citizens, formed when they are living
workers among Us. is reasonably changed
by the fact of their death and that
public men whose acts have not met the
approval of all their fellows during their
lives, are entitled to their reverence after
they die, simply because they were men
of mighty intellect. The Almighty in
giving them their great gifts imposed
upon them great responsibility. Whether
best, and whether his Judgment was as
great as was the power with GhiCh he
was able to impress it upon the country,
are questions about which men differ
wiUely; and whether Mr.. Stevens was
good or an evil agent in shapin 8 the
open for the decision of pos:erity. But
the executors of Mr.. stevens estate
have no comprehensive reason for fail
ing to keep his grave in order. They are
a notable sample of the do-nOthiDgs and
say nothinas. They have done and said
nothing about Mr.. Stevens estate in the
sixteen years during which they have
had it in charge. And this is the more
remarkable because they are both re
markably active and talkative men. Mr.,
Mcpherson is all the time bobbing
around and never lets his vocal organs
NJ pnhurta %
his years, is quiet only when lie sleeps.
Yet for sixteen years these gentlemen
have preserved nearly unbroken silence
about ,he estate in their charge,
and have never filed an account.
At least they had not few years ago
not even an inventory was forthcoming
hir. pi"tay. who was also very viva
Cious man, and who was associated Will
these two gentlemen in the tIust Unit
his death, was paralyZed in the matter ot
the estate, equally with them. The city
Of Lancaster has a residuaIy interest ii
the estate, since Il negro college of somi
sort is to be established here on its re
mains. The character of this sole 6ene
fciary of the estate may have something
10 do with the executors taTdiLess il
settling up. They probably think 1t j.
d uing as much good in their hands as i;
would do if applied to its destined Oh
ject; and doubtless they are right
Nobody in this town esteems very
highly Mr.. Stevens proposed beuefac
Non. Rut Messrs. MCPheTson anG
tsCssEts might take care of the grave
any how.