The "Thaddeus Stevens vs. James Buchanan" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a few of the stories I have written about both Thaddeus Stevens as well as James Buchanan.  Both men were politicians who lived in the 19th century, but it seems they were never treated equally in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  I have made many visits to President Buchanan's home on Wheatland Ave. as well as touring his beautiful home and gardens.  You can tell that a former President of the United States lived in the place since it just oozes wealth.  And then you head into the city of Lancaster to try and find the home of Thaddeus Stevens which is in the first block of South Queen Street.  

James Buchanan

Only problem you have with trying to find his home is that the Lancaster County Convention Center destroyed the back half of his home when they recently built the Lancaster County Convention Center.  

Statue in Buchanan Park

Head out to Buchanan Park and you will find a beautiful statue of Buchanan while the only statue you will find of Stevens is about a mile to the east of town where he is part of a monument that sits in front of Stevens College of Technology.  

Buchanan's home at Wheatland

Stevens was a big defender of public education, but you'd never know it.  It is true that there will soon be another statue what will be found in Gettysburg at the courthouse.  A recent story in the Lancaster Newspaper, that was written by Jack Brubaker, "The Scribbler", wonders why one of the worst Presidents in United States history is more memorialized than the guy who did as much as any other to promote racial equality.

According to the Scribbler...Why is one of the worst presidents, a man who coddled the slave-holding South before and during his pre-Civil War presidency, more famous than a guy who promoted racial equality before, during and after the Civil War.  I have friends who no longer live in Lancaster, but read my stories to try and keep up to date with their previous home town, and find it interesting that very few people outside of Lancaster know much about Thaddeus Stevens.  

Statue at Steven's Trade School.

Seems people claim that one reason is that many people wanted to destroy the country and preserve slavery so they demonized Stevens and his battle to destroy slavery.  All the while, Buchanan seems not to be taking a stand on either side, thus putting slavery in the back of everyone's mind.  But, "The Scribbler" claims that Stevens' star is slowly rising as his passionate dedication to equality has become more widely recognized.  Actually, President Buchanan's reputation was ruined while still President and it has never recovered.  

Steven's semi-detached in downtown Lancaster.

Today he is always listed as one of the least liked Presidents in history.  He is no longer listed as the worst President, but is still close to the bottom.  Today, Lancaster has his home of Wheatland, a big tomb in Green Hill Cemetery as well as a statue in Buchanan Park.  "The Scribbler" believes that Stevens deserves at least equal public recognition.  He will have a new statue unveiled soon in Gettysburg and his house in downtown Lancaster is being restored, but is that enough?  "The Scribbler" suggests that the town of Lancaster needs to name the intersection of South Queen and Vine Streets as "Stevens Square."  Reconstruction is currently taking place in downtown Lancaster and this would be a good time to proceed with "Stevens Square."  Hey...the Ordinary Guy is all for it.  Perhaps I can talk to a few people I know downtown and see if we can make Thaddeus Stevens a more recognizable figure than before.  Hey, I named one of my sons after him so I'm all in, as they say!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.