The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-03-17
THE GREAT CoMMonER.
BY E. W. HOOKER.

As monument to ThaddeuS Ste
vens, the "Great Commoner, there
will be built an industrial school in
the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
where he is buried. An association
has been formed which, with the CO.
operation of the school teachers of the
State, is carrying out the plan.
The movement meets with particu-
lar favor among Pennsylvania educa-
tors, because of Stevens great SER
vice in behalf of the public school
system of the State. At the very
outset of his career, while serving as
member of the Pennsylvania house
of representatives, Stevens first mani
tested his intense devotion to the prin-
ciple of equal rights for all by lead
ing the fight for free schools.
In 1884 the legislature had passed
the first public school law, but it
aroused so much opposition that in
the next legislature large majority
of the members were prepared to vote
for the repeal of the law. But the
eloquence and logic of speech by
Stevens turned the tide, and the house
defeated the repeater, many members
disregarding the positive instructions
of their constituents by voting for
free schools. Since then the State
has looked upon Stevens as the real
founder of the present magnificent
school system.
But it was in the larger sphere Of
Congress, at Washington, where he
was leader of the house during the
Civil War period, that Stevens ac-
quired national fame by his vigorous
espousal of the cause of the down
trodden. Even his death, in 1868,
could not silence his plea for prac-
tical recognition of the truism that
"all men are created equal" He
provided that his body should be
buried in an obscure little cemetery
in Lancaster, known as "Shreiner S
Burial ground" and there todayevery
visitor who reads the epitaph, that
Stevens himself prepared, realizes
forcibly the "Great Commoner's"
whole -souled devotion to his life
work. Carved on the stone over his
grave are these words ::
II repose in this quiet and secluded
spot, not for any natural preference
for solitude, but, finding other ceme-
teries limited as to race by charter
rules, chose this, that I might Illus
trate in my death the principles which
l advocated through long life: The
equality of man before his Creator. "
Furthermore, Stevens left his estate
to be used in establishing an orphans
home in Lancaster, stipulating that
mo preference shall be shown on ac-
count of race or color in the admis
sion or treatment. "
According to the will, the estate
was to be beld in trust until it should
be worth at least $4,000. 1t was
not until 1902 that the required value
was attained. Then it was thought
desirable to add $Ioo, 900 to the fund
so that Stevens wishes might be ade.
quately fulfilled. Citizens of Lancas-
ter county, therefore, organized the
Thaddeus Stevens Memorial Associa-
ton, which has since had charge o.
the movement. The Pennsylvania
Legislature appropriated $50, 900
and the fund was further swelled by
gifts from school teachers and pupils
all over the State, while in Lancaster
site has been donated for the school
Thus. after the lapse of nearly two
score years, the "Great Commoner's 81
plans are to attain fruition. -ZHt
| Fou,- Track WeVS.