Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-09
Tothe Editor of the National Journal

ME. EDITOR: Every TACT relative TO the dcVel-
oping of the character of the illustrous dead {,
and any display of nobleness or valour which
they may have presented, is of peculiar interest.
OF the valour OF the universally lamented
JOHN ADAMS, several anecdotes have been men
toned in the late numerous eulogies to his men,
Dry; and some have also displayed, with an "a
Bic pen, the style of eloquence; for which he
was Justly celebrated. On ordinary occasions,
| we are told, he never failed to distinguish him.
self in his profesaion.-A sound course Of rea-
soning and purest logic, joined 10 an unerring
judgment, ever marked his pleadings, as in
l77o, when he undertook the defence Of some
British officers and soldiers, on the indictments
foand against them, in consequence ofthe trans
actions OF the the celebrated 5th March. But
in advocating the adoption Of that immortal in
strument which declared that these colonies
are, and ought to be, of right, free. and indie
pendent States, how persuasive must have been
his eloquence! How bold, how manly, how
energetic must have been that Speaker, who
could strengthen the weak, confirm the waver-
ing, and cause the infant America to hurl the
guantet of defiance at the giant power of the
mighty England. This occasion presented no
arena for the display of studied rhetoric, or the
graces of oratory "The time that tried mems
souls was not the time for science to marshal
phrase and speech, which should convince men
10 ACT that part which prudence must condemn
or to "pledge their lives, fortune, sacred hon.
or" in cause in which the most sanguine and
devoted hardly hoped for success. But yet, in
the event, it was carried, and Gear as that event
is TO the heart of every American, so dear must
be every circumstance with which it is con-
nected.
The constant reply of Mr.. Adams to the i'm
practicability of the colonies throwing off, at
that early period, the yoke Of Britain, was,
"slnk or SWIM, live or die, give my heart and
hand TO this cause. The Rubicon is passed, *
we connot go back. We have begun the work,
and we must die, or go through" such was
his constan, desire; and with the prophetic eye
of inspiration, in l755, when but l9, he foretold
that this people must in time be great, free, *
glorious nation. Now that the earthquake of
war has spent its strength; now that the storm
of revolution has passed, and the heavens that
it disclosed distl on our heads every blessing
that liberty can bestow, we are apt to forget
the difficulties with which these enoyments
were attained. They should be known. The
recollection of that period is dear in nations
affections; and every circumstance connected
with it cannot be too generally known.
The passage of the resolution which lar
ed these colonies. free and independent States,
and gave this people seat among the nations
Of the earth, was by no means as easy task as
has been asserted. 1t was the slow and gra-
dual work of time and persevering industry;
even in l774, Patrick Henry, "the forest-born
Demosthenes, agreed with Mr.. Adams, that
measures that had been adopted would have no
effect, but would be totally lost on the govern
ment!' When it was rumored in Philadelphia
"that Mr. Adams was for independence" some
of the first and the best regarded him as a dan
gerous man. "He was pointed at in the streets,
and avoided as pestilence." 1t will be seen
in Reefs Cyclopedia, Marshall, Botta, Gordon,
&c. that the step was of the greatest individual
responsibility. In consequence of the resolu-
ton in Congress, passed May the l5th, l776,
depressing in these colonies all authority dcriv.
ed from the crown of Great Britain. Gordon
says, "Pennsylvania withdrew from its union
With Congress-"
The Maryland Convention, in December,
l776, instructed their delegation, to oppose any
Declaration OF independence. The elegant,
polished Dickinson, made solemn appeal a.
gainst the Declaration, endeavoring to show
the improbability of success-the premature
ness OF the plan; and asking, where the mill
tary, where the naval power, to oppose the gi-
ant arm OF England? And when the decisive
hour came on, which should say whether we
would forever be the beaten slaves of England,