John T. Kealy to Thaddeus Stevens, 21 January 1867, William M. Hall Reminiscences and Sketches; Harrisburg, 1890. (Wilmington: Scholarly Resources, 1993).
Transcriber: Tindal Hart and Proofreader: Blake Hunter
The following letters are a great example of the personal attacks the characters of political candidates the elections of this time period. Opposition to the Radical Republicans assaulted the morality of leaders such as Thaddeus Stevens. The first letter is written to Stevens by Representative John T. Kealy of Pennsylvania in response to charges that Stevens was an "infidel" and did not believe "in a God or in a hell." Stevens responds to the letter, stating that such personal attacks are not surprising, but are certainly false. Stevens upholds his Baptist, Christian convictions and condemns those that make such accusations.
House of Representatives Harrisburg, Pa., January 21, 1867
To the Honorable Thaddeus Stevens:
Dear Sir: During the late senatorial contest in this city I heard the following charges made against you: that you are an infidel; that you said the Bible was the production of a barbarous age, and that you do not believe in he existence of a God nor of a hell. I could not reply, not knowing anything about the facts, but immediately went to Representative Armstrong, of your county, and told him what I had heard, and asked him whether such was the case. He could only say that the charges were new to him and that he did not believe them. My curiosity was excited and I write you for personal information. The committal of the mater to me shall not tarnish your fair fame.
Respectfully yours,
John T. Kealy
Washington City, January 23, 1867
Dear Sir: I received your letter. I am not surprised nor much moved at any scandals which may be publicly or privately uttered about myself. I do not usually contradict them. To your personal suggestion, however, I willingly reply.
All the statements which you said were made are false, as the author well knew if he had any knowledge on the subject.
I have always been a Firm believer in the Bible. He is a fool who disbelieves the existence of a God as you say is charged on me. I also believe in the existence of a hell for the especial benefit of this slander. I have said that I never deny any charges however gross. I make an exception when my religious belief is brought in question. I make n pretension to piety (the more pity), but I would not be thought to be an infidel. I was raised a Baptist and adhere to their belief.
Thaddeus Stevens
(benson/HST41/gold/stevens3.htm)