Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-07-18
From tie ESSer Register.
DEATII OE IONN ANAAIS

On Tuesday last closed the half century since tie
patriots aud saSes OF this country proclaimed its indie
pendence, and with It's parting spirit OF the cl
der ADAMS assembled to heaven. That bold and en-
"rgetic spirit which inspired the councils of America
with the determination TO become independent has as
cended on high and that eloquent tongue which urged
its declaration on the 1th of July I776 on the 4th OF
July 1926, was pased in death. Thu. has terminated
and glorousIy tcniuued t!.e viruous and narioc life
of JOHN ADAMS-bIesscd bv his country honorcd
by the world and immortal as history. Amidst the bo-
of his family the patriarch of tue revolution has
closed his mortal career viewing, patriarch of old
before his closing eyes the expanding gn:cs OF his
country, the fruits of his exerons, and blessings
purchased by him for pO,terty. The ideas which oc
cupv minds in contemplating his character and the
period allotted by heaven for gathering him to his IA
thers fiji our hearts with such feelings as disable us
from searching i'll books for the record of the many me
morable incidents of his hle and only present
snch FACTS as arc present to our memory His virtues
and services will employ the eloquent tongues in
the nation, and his history be written by its abest hsto
rian His life and history the history of liberty
and the rights of man, triunpng oppilssion and
founding lasting empire the broad oundati ton OF
tie peoples VIII, and the happiness OF the governed.
President Adams educated at Cambridge and to
the profession OF the law SO eminent his stand
ing IN that profession that early age he was APP
pointed Chief Justice of the State, but he declined this
Office. Amid the force of excitement produced by the
Boston massacre, he dared to undertake the defence ol
lie British troops. His in this trial was COM
rcte II eYinccd his talents and s strong sense OF us-
tee an! Official dn'y less intrepid spirit would not
lave dared to stem the current of popular Indignation
hy engaging IN such Bat it not in his pro.
iessona life but his political, t we are 10 trace his
glorious career He sacrificed his profession and
every thing the liberties Of his fellow citizens and the
independence OF his county In no Le was elected
representative from Boston, omd IN I77I member OF
he Council hut negatIv ed nv Gov Gage from the
P"the took IN politics. From 100 and previous. and
until 1875 he constantly engaged ana took lead.
part III ali t'e measures which adopted 10 de
i"ni the colonies from the unjust attacks Of the British
Parliament. lie of the earliest that cnntetn-
plated the independence of the country and her sepa-
ration from the mother country. No in the Con
Gre7s Of 776 did much did to procure the de-
c'aratIon OF independence. 1t is believed that the mo-
tiOn was made by member from Virginia at his sug
gestIon, that he seconded the motion and su stained il
~ most powerful and Eesistess argument. Il, his in
nIence also, Mr.. Jefferson placed al t. head of
Tue committee who framed the declaration. Ills rea-
s'n Tor procuring the motion come from virginia
and OF placing Of her delegation at the head Of the
0hmttee, was to engage the hearty cooperation of
that great State in The work OF Independence. By The
committee who wers appointed on the subject OF sepa-
Taon from the mother country, Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.
y !ams appointed subcommittee to frame n de-
tiaraton of independence. The draft reported was
ihat OF Mr. Jefferson, and he has de ,rvcdy received
great credit for it. But those who consider how much
easier it's to da report than TO procure its passage
and adoption and who reflect that MIR jefferson never
spoke IN public, and that John Adams the bold and
darng ptilt OF the Congress of 776 and the eloquent
advocate Of its bOliest measures cannot fail to award
him the highest honor which the adoption of that decla
lauon could confer From the declaration of indepen-
dcnce until the peace, Mr. Adams was employ ed in the
sumo glorious cause. Whist Washington at the head
of our armies fighting the battles of Liberty and
defending country from the ravagcs Of the enemy
Il Jams was employed in service less brilliant but
scarcely less important. Through the whole war, he
was excrting MS talents at tie various courts of Eu
rope 10 obtain loans and alliances and every to
sustain armies and the OF Liberty and our In
dependencies Nor did his labors until he had ac-
comPsbel every object for which he was sent abroad
DOR until lie had sealed independence by Treaty
OF Peace, which he signed, with Great Britain
Immediately after the Treaty of Peace he was ap
pointed Ambassador to Great Britain; ot the adoption
OF lnc constitution he vas eject I'd first Vice President
ct the United Sates During the whole period of the
Presidency OF W ashlngtUu, Mr. Adams was Vice Pre-
s!ent He was uniformly consulted by Washington
a. though he bad been member OF his cabinet all
important questions On the resignation of " ashlnaon
MI Adams elected has Successor.
During the administration OF Mr.. Adams, party spi.
rt ragged without restraint Too independent hSlsolf
IL wear TIE tramnes Of either party, lac warmly
supported BY neither Too open for couccaImcnt and
perfectly VOID OF guile anal intrigue he pracsed DO arts
10 secure himself ~ power. 1T tie xpiratiOn of The
first term, DIR. Jefferson the candidate Of The Ernnbl
can party, and his successful conpetior received four
votes more th1n Mr.. Adams. Mr. Adams then retired
to private lie at his seat in Quincy.
"hen The io'"icn aspect Of our country became
con lea AM difficulties "vershado ed IT, he came forth
INC "arnfsi advocate OF the rights OF lie county and
81 those measures o. the administration calculated 10
sustain them. lis c.tor IN defence of our ,ea,rer
against foreign prcs>rueDt, one of the fIa-t aud
most irresistible arguments III tic TnglI,ii lannIsre-
50 satisfied were those who had been rolcaly ooooscd
to ini Of his merits and services HAT he was selected
ny The republicans Ol Massachusetts. their candidate
for Governor, on thc death of Gov. Suiyau-hrt lac
cccIncd again entering into public lie lie was one
Of the Electors, and President Of the Electoral Col
Icgc, when Mr. |Dnryc elected President Of the
In'cd STATES Having been HE principal craftsman
OF thc Constitution Of uus state hen tie Convention
was cai'e'i TO aneul 70 1920. he was uuanmosly
elected rer President On his Icc'tnue fl,is honor
sembr OF i've huufe1. seirceI from all raTtes OK (
Tfe,7'c o th." exalted sense Of bis merits and public
-crvjCcs
The private character < President jams was Nor.
Guy pure U"~u'H'l .I ursiarucI. There uas no