Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-05-20
THE EARLY PRESIDENTS.
.f WASHINGTON.

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THE EARLY PRESIDENTS.
2f e WASHINGTON. isf
Gen. Washington, (says Judge Marshall
was rather above the common size. his frame
was robust, and his constitution vgorous--ca-
pable of enduring great fatigue, and requiring
considerable degree Of exercise for the pres
erva,ion of his health. His exterior created in
the beholder the idea of strength, united with
manly gracefulness.
His manners were rather reserved than free,
though they partook nothing of that dryness
and sternness which accompany reserve when
carried to an extreme; and on all proper oc-
casions, he could relax sufficiently TO show
how highly he was gratiied by the charms OF
conversation, and the pleasure of society. His
person and whole department exhibited an UNI
affected and Undesirable dignity, unmingled
with haughtness, Of which all who approach
him were sensible: and attachment, OF those
who possessed his friendship and enjoyed his
intimacy, was ardent, but always respectful.
His temper was humane, benevolent, and
conciatory, but there was quickness in his
sensibiliiy to anything apparently offensive,
which experience had taught him to watch
and to correct.
In the management OF his private affairs he
exhibited an exact yet liberal economy His
funds were no, prodgally wasted on capricious
and ill-examined schemes, nor refused to ben
fetal, though costly, improvement They re-
NAMED, therefore, competent to that extensive
establishment which has reputation, added 10
an hospi,able temper, had. in some measure,
imposed upon him, and TO those donations
which rool dtxtracs hos ,nnt nla
opulence.
In speculation he was real republican, de-
voted 10 the constitution Of his country, and 10
that system of equal political rights on which
| it is founded. Real liberty, he thought, was
to be preserved only by preserving the aurhori-
ty Of the laws, and maintaining the energy oil
the government. Ht
There has been, (says Col. Knapp,) popu-
lar men, who We're great in their day and gen.
Grafton, but whose fame soon passed away
tits not SO with the fame of Washington
grows brighter by years. The writings oil
Washington, Ga portion only of which COM
prise eleven octave volumes,) show that he
had a clear, lucid mind, and will be read with
pleasure for ages to come. asst
JOHN ADAMS.
Mr.. Adams was of middle stature, and full
person, and, when elected President, he was a
most popular statesman. His countenance
beamed with intelligence, and neral, as well
as physical courage. His walk was firm and
dlgnihed to a late period of his lie. His man
ner was slow and deliberate, unless he was ex-
cited, and when this happened, he expressed
himself with great energy. He wa. ever a
man Of the purest morals, and is said TO have
been firm believer in Christianity, not from
habit and example, but from diligent investiga-
ton of the proofs. ssus4l,.a 5. qe
To use the words Of a political friend of his,
(Mr. Sullivan J ale had an uncompronm-
sing regard tor his own opinion, and seemed
TO have supposed that his opinion could not
be corrected BY those of other men, nor better
ed by comparison. II is not improbable that
Mr.. Adams was impatient in finding how
much more the easily understood services
OF military men were appreciated, than
were the secluded, though no less important
ones. OF diplomatic agency and cabinet coun-
Gil. So made up from natural propenslties and
from the citcunlstances Of his life, Mr. Adams
came 10 the Presidency al The time when more
iorbearance and discretion were required than
he is supposed to have lad. Heseems to have
been deficient in the rare excellence of attemp-
ting 10 see hImsefas others saw him; and he
yentnred tc act as though every body saw as
he saw himself He considered only what
was right in his own view. and that was to be
carried BY main force, whatever were the main
Obstacles" -
But whatever may be the Judgment of pos
terity as 10 his merits as ruler. there can be
no question on the subject OF his general char
acter, nor of his penetrating mind, his patriot
lsm,s and his devotion 10 what he considered