Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1884 — Anecdote of Thad Stevens. [ARTICLE]

Anecdote of Thad Stevens.

A Virginian named Edmonson was one day walking down Teansylvania avenue with Mr. Curry, then a. Congressman from Georgia. Mr. Edmonson was much excited about a remark he had traced to Thad Stevens, and threatened to insult him on sight. Mr. Curry tried to appease him, but did not altogether succeed. Soon after Edmonson descried Thaddeus Stevens just, ahead of him on the avenue, and, his wrath returning, said: “There goes the dashed old rascal now. lam going to confront him.” Before his companion could arrest him Edmonson had accosted the enemy. Halting the Pennsylvania statesman, the fiery Virginian ejaculated: “Mr. Stevens, sir, I heard that you had insulted my State. ” The grim old man, with a malicious twinkle in his eye, responded: “Oh, no; I think not, Mr. Edmonson. But what did I say offensively ?” Edmonson rejoined : “You said, sir, that John Brown could have captured Virginia with thir-ty-five men.” Hardly suppressing a laugh, his wicked eyes glimmering still more maliciously, Thad Stevens, in a sharp tone, said: “You have got it wrong, Mr. Edmonson, frightfully wrong. I did not say that John Brown could have captured Virginia with thir-ty-five men; I put it at seventy-five men, sir, seventy-five men.” Edmonston was struck dumb with amazement, and fell back, as old Thad hobbled up Pennsylvania avenue chuckling and grinning.