New-York daily tribune., 1844-08-09
7 VI IL 7 IILt'
True DigEity-J. @. Adams.

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The inexperienced very generally imagine
.hat dignity is the privilege of rank and wealth
that it is Incompatible with humble station, OF
with those occupations which employ the
thoughts and labors of the great mass Of men
but far different the estimate of the Creator and
Sovereign of Man. He esteems it no compro'
mise Of dignity to attend to the mlnntess con-
cerDs-to the falling Of sparrow to supplying
the wants of every living thing; or to sustaining
and directing the course OF the floating ATOM
Far different, likewise, is the estimate of him,
who, though he may have enjoyed, during long
life, all that the world could give, has learned 10
look upon the human family as really his bTe,h-
-en-as the children of one common Parent
He feels that neither exalted station, nor splendid
talents, nor brilliant achievements, nor any sd-
ven,itous circumstances, constitute real dignity
but that character alone, resembling in purity
and bene Violence that Of the common Parent, is
really deserving protouaa respect, in whatever
condition of life i, may be found. Said the ven-
erable John Quincy Adams, in addressing a
company Of lawyers:
$50 deep are my Impressions of the natural
equality OF mankind, and Of the fundamental
rights which that natural equality conlers upon
every human being, that havo been accustomed
20 transfer that principle Of equality to all the pro.
LESSONS of men-the honest professions adopted
by men in the great AID various pursuits Of life.
1t is. common to say, that the profession OF the
Law is the highest, most honorable, and most
dignihed that can be exercised by man. Possibly
rome of you may think so. But that impression
is not mine. do not consider it, in point of Dig
nity in point of Importance, beyond that of The
shoemaker, or the tailor, or the housewright, or
The mason, or any mechanical profession. con-
slider it not superior to the profession of the heal
ing art, destined to alleviate and remove the ply
sical evils Of the human race; far less do | con-
slider it superior To that profession which connects
man with the future and with God. My opinion
is that the profession of Divinity stands upon the
same foundation IS the profession of the Law.
The professors of both are bound, by the laws Of
nature and of God, to pass lives of purity and Of
innocence, doing all the good they can to their
fellow creatures on earth. And if it is the priv-
lcge OF the professors of Divinity to stand as me-
diators between God and man, 1t is equally that
of those of the Law 10 maintain, at all hazards,
every individual right conferred upon man by ma
ture and God. l would say, therefore, that We
ought to refer the whole question of the relative
dignity and Importance OF trades, or protests rs,
TO that sacred principle of natural equality, which
is the law of nature between man and man."
Such sentiments are truly worthy Of an emi-
nent statesman, who, having been in the service
of his country from the commencement of its in
dependence, has learned seriously to contemplate
the human family in their relations to one another,
to their Creator, and TO that coming state OF be-
ing where every man shall receive according to
his character And cherishing these divine sem
,iments, he may well say, as he has done, in ami
mating strains, to all the good and faithful
Rise then, on hopes serapi;c pnions rise;
From worlds be Ond the grave your comforts draw
And deem the wrongs hut virtue here sust9!ns,
TIoOis tlnt on high God 81 Justice Ielgns y. ".