The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-08-31
From the National Era.
THE LATE ]. O. ADAMS

we confess our surprise at the repeated efforts
OF certain Wing gentlemen to use the name OF
the lllustrious Adams to promote party interests
Letters have lately appeared in the newspapers
from Mr. Daniel P. King, of Massachusetts, and
Mr.. CHngman, of North Carolina, designed to
convey the impression that Mr. Adams was in
favor OF the nomination of Gen. Taylor as capd-
idate for the Presidency. True, they contain
but loose Impressions OF what was spoken in the
freedom OF social intercourse. No distinct, posi-
tive statements are made which demonstrates
such preference in Mr.. Adams; but the i'm.
preston OF the writer's, it is thought naturally
enough, will be received as sufficient evidence
by the mass of unthinking people.
suppose Mr.. Adams were living, would any
gentleman deem il proper thus to invade the
freedom OF private intercourse by dragging be.
fore the public remarks dropped at the preside.
indicative OF his political preferences! Is this
customary among gentlemen Were it a com.
mon practice, what would become of the ease
and grace OF social converse Reports from mem
DRY of studied speech are never certainly de-
pended upon, even when made Immediately at.
ter delivery. What consideration, then, should
DE attached to reports Of impressions OF unstudied
conversations oil Which the real meaning often
depends upon a tone, a look, gesture, or sur.
rounding circumstances, and which no one. not
habitually distrustful, dreams OF guarding and
quallhing as he would an elaborate discourse
reports, too, made months after they were said 10
be held!
Were Mr.. Adams living, so that he might cor
rect any erroneous impressions given to the uub-
lie, or state qualifying circumstances or condi-
tons forgotten by his reporters, the Injustice
done might be remedied TO a certain extent
But he is in his grave; and though each man of
the many hundreds who conversed with him
should give reports most injurious to his memory.
no voice can come thence to correct their per-
versions or exaggerations.
Although sense OF propriety would forever
have restrained us from any public allusion IN
the opinions OF Mr.. Adams, expressed in private
intercourse, stlii as SO many injurious represen.
tatlons OF his opinion have been given to the pub
lie, we may be permitted, on the strength nj sew.
eral free, frank, and earnest conversations held
with Mr. Adams during the last winter TO enter
our solemn protest against all such representa-
uons. we Know that, so far from changing his
views OF the paramount importance OF the sla.
very question, and the necessity of its discuos;o
ne seemed more deeply impressed than ever with
ootn. we know that no party interests in the
Worid would Tor moment have restrained him
IA 'he discussion OF this question. We know
that he repeatedly said that the war would in All
lkellhood produce succession of military Pros
ldents; that he greatly deprecated this as an.evi
threatening the stability Of the Union; that he
predicted that General Taylor would be tho f;rs,
oil tnese Presidents; and that he did not appear
70 take any pleasure in this idea. We know. too
mat ne anticipated the final absorption of Next
co, through the insidious, aggressive ambition of
the save Power d; but, so far from being even
then hopeless Of the Republic, he foresa W In that
contingency the overthrow of Slavery, which he
regarded as matter Of righteous retributon.
we shall not go into particulars, and attempt
to report the details OF conversations. Our state
ments are general; they accord with all his ex-
pressed views; with his known principles; with
the tenor OF the latter years of his life and we
venture TO affirm. with the impressions of hun
dreds who have had the honor OF intercourse with
him.
Shame upon all attempts to use the name OF
the illusirious deceased for petty electioneering
purposes. asfsa s8Ih0
AWEIGHrY PARAGRAPH. A social party