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

with degenerate race of beings. But while
doctrines like these were gathering strength
on the other side of the Atlantic, the people OF
America were daily becoming more and more
enlightened. The wisdom of Jefferson and
Adams, and their able associates, was penetra-
ting the minds of their countrymen--arousing
them from the lethargy of habitual submission
--teaching them the unalienable rights OF man,
and urging the imperious obligation Of claim
ing those rights at the expense of their blood.
Jefferson was an Epaminondas in the South
and Adams, Pelopidas in the North. If they
gathered no laurels on the crimsoned field Of
battle, still the similitude is good, They were
the master spirits Of the moral regeneration
the impulse that moved the colonies to resis-
tance-the bands that bound the feeble rods
bone and sinew of the nations
strength
When l speak thus of Adams and Jefferson,
think not, my fellow citizens, that | mean to de-
tract from the glory, or the inefable services Of
YOUR immortal Washington. Mol would
place another wreath on his brow, if thought
that LEAF Of the one which he wears, could
Weld to the frosts Of million Of ages. The
tongue that would dare to depress him, no
longer exists. His fame is beyond the reach
of detraction. And in all time to come, faith
full history will award him his rank---"First in
war, first in peace---Grst in the hearts of his
countrymen."
But Jefferson and Adams live next in our al
fections, and have claims upon our gratitude,
as strong as those of their ilustrious compa-
triot.
When the clouds, which had long been ga
thering over the heads of our fathers, were full
Iy concentrated at last, condensed into
torrents of oppression, cruelty and DEATH
Jefferson and Adams were called to the Con-
eress of the United Colonies---and, with con-
fdence and Roman irmness, that inspired all
around them, led the way to the momentous
centre, and carried CONSERVATION and ruin into
the strongest holds oflegitimacy No art was
left untried to awe them into submission, or
buy them into the service of the crown. But
fear was stranger to their hearts, and they
were men WITHOUT THEIR PRICE. They saw
through the gloom that surrounded them, the
brightness of the coming light; and, regardless
of danger, hurled defiance in the teeth Of the
greatest power extant
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and
Livingston formed the ever memorable Com
mittee which was instructed 10 rrp~ft q Dec
lara1ion Of Independence, but to Jefferson and.
Adams alone-as ub-Committee-was re-
signed the glorious task. The one stood unri-
vailed in the strength and beauty Of compost
or convinces at will. Hence, TO the
pen ola JEFFERSON is the world indebted for
that masterpiece of human skill-and to the
eIoquence of an ADAMS for its final
adoption by the most august assembly that ever
met on the earth.
Nor were these purest Of patriots jealous Of
each others honors.
Mr.Adams often declared, that none-but the
one who did-could have produced that immor-
tai paper:-and Mr.. Jefferson-when consulted
about an ornamental engraving of the precious
document-replied-"N man better merited,
than JOHN ADAMS, most conspicuous place in
the design He was the PILLAR OF ITS SUPPORT
on the floor of Congress: its ablest ADVOCATE
AND DEFENDER against the multifarious assaults
it encountered"
1t is needless, fellow-citizcns, to dwell mi
nutely upon their various services in "those
times that tried mems souls" Suffice it to
say, that they ever inuiolable kept the faith
which they plighted They turned not aside
from the path ofther duty-but, vending their
way with renewed perseverance, laid solid
foundation for the liberties of the world
There is a sublimity in the contemplation of
such moral bravery and sterling integrity, which
no language can describe. Few there are who
would not have yielded under such peculiar
They were above the frowns of
pecuniary fortune-high in the estimation of
their felIow-citizens-and could have enjoyed
any post of profit or honor, in the gift of their
king AS selfish individuals-their course
would have been rash and ridiculous, for they
had every thing to lose, and nothing to gain