Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-03-17

unbecomng in me to second the motion which has
been made for extending the last honors Of the Senate
to him who, forty five years ago, WINS member OF tins
body who, the time of his death, was among the
oldest members of the House OF Representatives and
who, putting the years of his service together was the
Oldest OF all the members Of the American Govern
ment e,.,s IF
his life, which the Senator from Massachusetts vi
Davis has srikingy stated that, from carry ,'. ,J
hood to octogcnnrian age, he has been cot's.! Eor
most honorably employed in the pubic seivce IS he
period OF more than fifty years, from the 'i,e W M
first appointment minister abroad 9nuei v, ZOE;
ton TO his last election to the House OF Sn 49,
by the people of his native district he mas peeh COZ"
stany retained in the public service, nnd mat not ny
the favor of Sovereign, or by hcrcui'aiy ti.e ou U!
the elective appointments OF republican government
This fact makes the euogy OF the ustrlous deceased
For what except q union OF all the qualities whlcn
command the esteem aud confidence OF man, could
have ensured public service so long, by appointments
free and popular and from varlad and ex-
nltcd Minister many times abroad member OF this
body member of the House OF Representatives Cab
met minister President OF the United States: such
has been the galaxy OF Ills splendid appointments
And what but moral excellence the most perfect in
teccual ability the most emnent fidelity the most
unwavcring; service the most useful, would have com
mandcd snch a succession OF appointments so exalted,
and from sources various and so eminent Nothing
less could have commanded such series OF appoint
inenis; and accordingly the union OF all these
great qualities in him who has received them.
In this long career OF public service Mr. Adams was
distinguished not only by faithful attention to all the
great duties OF his stations but to all their less and mi
duties. He not the Saaminian llley, to he
launched only on extraordinary occasions, but he was
the ready vessel, always launched when the duties
his station required it, be the occasion great or small
As President cabinet minister ms minister abroad
he examined all questions that came before him, an,
examined all, in nil their pnrs, in all the mlnutiR
their detail, well as in all the vasness OF their com
prehenson. AS Senator, a member of the House q
Representatives, the obscure committee room was ~
much the witness OF his laborous application TO thu
drudgcry of legislation the halls Of the two house
to the ever-ready speech, replete with knowl
edge which instructed all hearers enlightened all sub
jccts, and gave dignity and ornament To debate.
In the observance OF all the properties OF lite, Mr.
Adams was n most noble and impressive example ii
cultivated the minor well ms the greater virtues =
Wherever his presence would give aid and counter
ance 10 what was useful and honorable TO man, Their
he In the exercise ot his school and OF the col
begin the mcrtorous meetings OF the agriculture
mechanical and commercial socictes,-in ntcndanc
upon Divine worship-he gave the punctua attend
nnce rarely seen but in those who are free from tn
weight OF public cares.
Punctua to every duty, death found him ut the pos
Of duty and where else could it have found HIM. &
any stage of his career tor the fifty years OF his Illus
trious public life From the time OF his first appoint
ment by Washington to his last election by the peop
OF his native town. where could death have found hi
but the post OF duty! AT that post, III the iulncs
OF age, in the ripencss OF renown, crowned with nor
ors, surrounded by his family, his friends and admin
ers, and in the presence OF the national rcprcse
taton he has been gathered to his fathers, leaving be
hind hun the memory OF public services which are tn
history OF his country for half century, and the cS
ample OF a lie. public and private, which should i
the study and the model OF the generations OF his cou
trymcn.
When Mr. C. concluded the resolutions unar
imousy adopted, and the Senate adjourned to Saiu