The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-06
]. @. ADAMS.


to Mr.. Adams, while at Cincinnati, was al
invitation given him by the bar of that CITY
TO meeting. 1t was attended with no dis
play, banners, badges or procession, bu
seemed an affectionate and heartfelt meeting
of the older brother of the family. In answer
to Judge Este on the part of the bar, Mr
Adams gave the following reply, expressive
OF sentiments so truly free and liberal thai
they put to the blush the infamous pseudo
democratic revilers of this noble old patriot
and friend of man, and the most faithful OF
all the priesthood in the temple of human
freedom and equal rights.
Honored Sir-Brethren ofthe Bar :-Ithas
been my misfortune the last half year, to APP
pear before my fellow citizens in various
States of the Union, under circumstances
such as never occurred before in the whole
course of my life: but among all the occa-
sions, there has not been one for which was
so totally unprepared as now. | have re-
ceived complimentary addresses from fellow
citizens of every class, character, denomina-
ton, and party; but this is the first time that
| have received Il tribute of that nature from
my professional brethren.
have been a member Of that profession
upwards Of half century. In the early part
Ofmy life, having father abroad, it was my
fortune TO travel much in foreign countries !;
still, under an impression which 1 first receiv-
ed from my mother, that in this country ev-
cry man should have some trade, that trade
which, from the advice of my parent, and
my own inclination, chose, was the profess
sion of the LawSD After having completed
an education in which, perhaps more than
any other citizen of that time, | had advan-
tages-and WHICH of course brought with
it the incumbent duty of manifesiing by
my life that those extraordinary advanta.
ges of education secured to me by my
father. had not been worthlessly bestowed
on coming into life after such great ad-
vantages, and having the duty of selecting
profession for myself, chose that of the
Bar. closed my education as a lawyer
with one of the most eminent jurists of The
age, Theophilus Parsons, of Newburyport,
at that time practising lawyer, but SUBJ
sequently Chief Justice of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts. Under his in
struction and advice, closed my educa-
ton, and commenced what | can hardly
call the practice Of Law, in the city of
Boston.
At that time, though | cannot say that
| was friendless, yet my circumstances
were not independent. My father was
then in a situation of great responsibility
and notoriety, in the government of the
United States But ne had been long alb
sent from his own country, and still con-
tinued absent from that part Of it TO which
he belonged, and of which | was a native.
l went therefore as volunteer-an ad-
venturer--to BoSton--as possible MANY of
YOU whom | now see before me, may con-
slider yourselves as having come TO Cincin
natl. | was without support of any kind,
may say | was a stranger in that city.
though almost a native of the spot | say
( | can hardly call it practice-because for
the space of one year from that time, it
would be difficult for me TO name any
practice which had to do. For two years.
indeed, | can recall nothing IN which |
was engaged, that may be termed prac.
tice though during the second year, there
were some symptoms, that by that perse-
veriDg patience OF which you, sir, have
spoken in such eloquent terms, practice
might come in time.
The third year continued this patience
and perseverance, and having little to do,
occupied my time as well as l could in the
study of those laws and institutions which
| have since been called to administer
At the end Of the third year. haGY obtain.
ed something which might be called prac-
tice.
The fourth year, found il swelling 10
such an extent, that no longer had any
concern as to my future destiny. as a
member OF that profession. But in the
midst of the fourth year, by the will of the
first President of the United States, and
with which the Senate was pleased TO con-
cur, was selected for station, not per-
haps of more usefulness, but of greater
consequence in The estimation of mankind,
and sent from home on a mission TO for
eign parts.
From that time-the fourth year after
nv admission to the bar of nv native
State, and the first year of my admission
TO the bar of the Supreme Court of the U.
States-I was deprived OF the exercises OF
any further industry or labor at the bar, by
this distinction-a distinction for which a
previous education at the bar, if not an in
dispensable qualification. was at least
most useful appendage. From that time
my practice at the bar has been little more
than during the first year.
| was absent in Europe on that mission,
succeeded by others which it was the
pleasure of the first President TO confide
10 me, for seven years. Returning then
to my native country, again commenced
the practice of my profession in Boston.
But in the first year, | was again selected
to an office which no longer admitted of
my practising at the bar. From that time,
now upwards of forty years, | have appear