Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-16

red to his native Iand---"If we can remove the
turbulent Gallicks"--he said--"our people will
IN another century, become more numerous
than England itself--And since we have all the
naval stores Of the nation in our hands, il will
be easy 10 get the mastery of the seas--a then
the united force of all Europe will not be able
to subdue u.s." How prophetic were the words
of that BOY! Three fourths ofthe century have
notlyet elapsed, and the turbulent Gallicks have
been subdued.--a colossal empire, extending
from ocean to ocean, and as free as its eagles,
has burst upon the astonished vision of Kings,
and carried dismay to their hearts---twelve mil
lions Of freemen enjoy the fruits Of their own
labor---Cities have risen in the midst CT the for.
est--the late haunt Of the savage, is the seat Of
the sciences---and the Star Spangled Banner
floats in triumph and glory where foe rears
his Egis---ora sea rolls its waves.--And can
you forget, my fellow citizens, that John Ad-
ans foresaw these blessings, and devoted his
life to secure them?--Never--Ne Teach
your children to cherish and revere his memo
ry---rell them, that in those fearful days-when
the affairs of America were desperateand Ad-
ans was solicited by an inhue ntial friend 10 a
bandon her cause--that the patriot Indignantly
declared would first see the people, gro
and his body tied 10 the stake-be!ore he would
swerve from his duty--or abandon the princl-
Piles which he had avowed, and which he had
pledged his sacred honor to maintain" Tell
them that he was true to his principles---and
redeemed his pledge 10 the admiration Of the
world---and to the eternal honor Of his country.
Tell them that he was the bosom friend OF
Washington-- and received from that best Of
~ col tloc nj
confidence and esteem.
Though Mr.. Adams course, as President,
was disapproved by majority Of his fellow ci-
tizens and, though modification attended
him 10 his retirement-still he continued the
friend Of his country;-and when clouds and
difficulties again overshadowed her-he was
the warmest advocate of her endangered rights,
and of every Ee&ure that was calculated TO
sustain them. Resentment was soon expelled
from his bosom His country required the aid
of his pen--and he welded II with such ire
s:stible energy,-that even those who had ar
rayed themselves against his administration,
acknowledged his services, and the dislnerest-
cdness of his motives.
But whatever becomes Of his fame-as ru-
ler--there car be no dispute on the subject
of his general cbaracter-nor Of his penetrating
mind-his glowing patrlotism-and his devo-
ton 10 what he believed TO be the interests OF
his country. His merits, after every deduction
which party spirit, in its most inhamed mo-
ments could ask-eave him in possession Of
one Of the highest inches in the Temple Of
Fame-and entitle him TO be ranked-next TO
Washington and Jefferson---as the most impor
tant beneiactor of the liberties Of mainland
one Of the most efficient instruments in the at
tainment Of our enviabe rank in the family OF
nations.--He was always an untiring laborer in
the cause of philanthropy and virtue--was dis
,inguished for the fervent piety and moral ex-
cellence Of hs-own life;---and while his hume
rous political opponents, were unable 10 attach
the shehtSSt sasi, |;e.rs s,ss,si~'. ri.'~ 49,
ouaintances and friends have highly extoled
his private worth. He was truly good man
He lived for his country-.-and when the mea-
sure Of lis days was ful---he heard the trumpet
sound the Jubilee of Predominant died with
"Eadepeadenee foreper," quivering on his lips
To such men as these, my fellow citizens, we
owe not the mere passing emotion OF gratitude,
which, like the swell Of the mountain stream.
is gone when the rain has abated---but, rather
like the mighty current, that sweeps from the
father of rivers to the Canadian shores, our
admiration of their deeds, and our veneration
Of their virtues, should be the constant theme
of applause, and the pervading principle Of
our National Character. They should be hand
ed Gown 10 posterity as models Of human per-
fiction. They may have had their faults---and
who has not?---But if they had them-thank
God-I am ignorant would name them,
did know them.---Their services and their
virtues were such, that no mention should be
made Of their foibles-for they must have been
few and ,enial-pcrhaps unavoidable-and
should be remembered far less, than the hills
and the valleys when we speak Of the globe
or the spots on the sun when we think OF his
splendor.