Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-12-07
NUMBER Al.

During Mr.. John Quincy Adams short
sojourn in Washington, Pennsylvania, he
paid visit TO The Female Seminary near
tina, place. tie was welcomed in the spa.
cious hal Of the Seminary, in the pres.
ence of large number oflsdies, by Miss
S. r. Foster, the Principal, 10 a neat and
appropriate address. Mr.. Adams respon-
ded, but so deeply was he affected by the
address of Miss Foster, as to be for some
time inaudible. When heard he spoke
as follows:
This, however, is the first instance in
which LAZY has thus addressed me per-
sonally and trust thet all the ladies'
present will be able sufficiently to enter
into my feelings 10 know, that am moro
affected by this honor, than by any other
| could have received.
You have been pleased, Madam, 10 al.
lude to the character of my father, and
the h story OF my family, aud their servi-
ces to the country. 1t is indeed true, that
from the beginning OF the existence ofthe
Republic as an ind pendent, Nation, my
father and myselfhav been in the public
service of the country, almost without in.
ierruption. cane into the world as a
person having personal responsibilities
with the Declaration Of independence,
which constituted us nation. was a
child at that time, and hsd then perhaps
the greatest blessing that can bs bestow-
ed on mana mother who was anxious
and capable to form her children to what
fh sty Ii he.
derived whatever instruction religious
especially, and moral which has peIvad.
ed long life; will not say perfectly,
and as it ought TO be- but will say be-
cause il is Justice only TO the memory Of
her whom revere, that ii, in the course
of my life, there has been any imperlec.
ton, or deviation from what she taught
me, the fault is mine, and not hers.
With such mother and such other re-
lations with the sex, of sister, wife, aud
daughter, il has been the perpetual in.
structon Of my life TO love and revere the
female sex. And in order 20 carry that
sentiment of love and revercnce 10 its
highest degree of perfection, know OF
nothing that exists in human society bet.
Ter adapted TO produce ttat result, than
Institutions Of the character that | have
now the honor to address.
| have been taught. as have said,
through the course ofmy life, to love and
to revere the female sex but have been
taught, also-and that lessen has perhaps
impressed itself upon my mind even more
strongly il may be, ihan The oahef-l have
been taught not TO fatter them. 1tisnot
unusual ~ the intercourse of man with tile
other sex-and especially for young men
to think, that the way to win the hearts
OF ladies is by Hauery. To love and TO
revere the sex, is what think the duty of
man bat not 10 flaiter them, and this
would say to The young ladies here and
If they, and others present, vii. allow me.
with all the authority which nearly four
score ofyears may have with those who
have rot yet alta ned enc score-f would
say to them what have no doub, they
say 10 themselves, and are taught here,
not to take the Aattery Of men as proof OF
perfection.
| am now, however, fear, assuming
100 much Of a character that does not ex.
actly belongto me. Therefore conclude,
by assuring You, Madam, that your re-.
cep,fon Of me has affected me, as Won
perceive, more than can ut all express in
woris; and that shah offer my best
prayers. till my latest hour, 10 The Crea.
tor of US all, that this Institution especial
ly, and all others Of a similar kind, design.
cd to form The female mind TO wisdom and
virtue, may prosper TO the end OF time"