The Evansville Journal

Thaddeus Stevens' Grave.

Several years ago when the Lancaster Cemetery was incorporated, Mr. Stevens purchased two lots, for which a deed was duly executed. Some years later, in looking over his papers, he noticed, for the first time, the clause prohibiting the interment of colored people in the cemetery. He at once reconveyed the lots to the company, with his reasons, and asked that they be put upon the record. A short time ago he purchased a couple of lots in Woodward Hill Cemetery, and when the deeds were handed to him he noticed a similar clause excluding the burial of people of color. The brave old man declared that he could not consent to have his bones lie in a cemetery where any of God's children were excluded for no fault of their own, and he promptly returned the deeds. He then, only a few days ago, selected a lot in "Shreiner's Cemetery," where no such distinction is made among the dead, and there will the dust of the Old Commodore repose—not, however, we trust, until he has seen the great work of reconstructing the negro on an enduring basis of liberty and equal rights, which he has so long and so consistently labored for, triumphantly consummated. History records no instance of sublimer devotion to principle than is exhibited in this incident in the private life of Mr. Stevens.—Lancaster Express.