One of The Great Whites of Black History: Thaddeus Stevens

By Robert N. Taylor, Contributing Columnist
November 6, 2006 talkback

When African Americans begin to erect monuments to some of the greatest heroes of black history, one white politician who deserves a prominent place in the "hall of heroes" is a person completely unknown to most blacks - Thaddeus Stevens (1792 - 1868). It is no exaggeration to say that Stevens did more than any other politician in American history - including Abraham Lincoln - to bring an end to slavery and help blacks start new productive lives after the Civil War. The only other person of his stature was another New Englander Charles Sumner (1811-1874).

A native of Vermont, Stevens entered the state legislature in Pennsylvania as a member of the anti-Mason party -a group formed in part to combat what it saw as undo and secretive control of key government institutions by the Masons (more properly the Freemasons).

But Stevens quickly became a fierce opponent of slavery. He was involved in the "underground railroad" movement that helped blacks escape slavery He soon won a seat in the United States Congress and as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee Stevens wielded enormous power throughout the Civil War. However, it was in the early years after the Civil War called Reconstruction that his power really prevailed. He was the dominant member of the so-called Joint Committee of Fifteen. He became dissatisfied with how President Andrew Johnson was carrying out Reconstruction and led the movement to impeach him.

Having pushed for the 13th Amendment to free the slaves during the war, Stevens fought for and secured passage of the 14th Amendment after the war giving blacks full citizenship and equal protection under the law. He also won passage of the first civil rights act, black voting rights and the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau which aided blacks in areas ranging from medical care to education. As a result of Stevens' efforts medical and educational institutions for blacks were established throughout the nation and blacks were elected to political offices throughout the South. Stevens died before the 15th Amendment was passed but the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments laid the foundation for all civil rights legislation ever enacted in America.

However, what made Stevens most hated by many white historians was his strong advocacy of punishing the defeated white slave owners. He wanted their properties seized and given to the former slaves. He wanted them denied the right to vote or be elected to political office. If Stevens had succeeded totally blacks would have truly gotten their "forty acres and a mule" and the history of America would have been entirely different.

But in 1877, nine years after Stevens' death, something occurred in American history called the Hayes-Tilden Compromise. That settlement of a disputed presidential election had many implications but for blacks it resulted in the end of Reconstruction and the wiping away of many of the programs for which Stevens had fought most vigorously. By 1880, the defeated former slave owners and their supporters were back in control of the South and "Jim Crow" laws (taking away many black rights) were enacted.

One author described Stevens as "a humanitarian lacking in humanity" because he fought for the underdog and great social causes. Indeed, he fought for the rights of Indians, Mormons, Jews, Chinese and women. But if you crossed him or fought against him, he was known to be unforgiving and hatefully vindictive.

True to his desire to see blacks freed, Stevens spent most of his life living with a black woman. History does not record whether they produced any children.
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