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


Messrs. Mcdowell of Virginia. and HOLMES of
South Carolina, in the House of Representa-
tives, and Of Mr.. BrNToS in the Senate on the
announcement Of the death of NJ, ADAMS. Tie
remarks of Mr.. Holmes, himselfa statesman and
scholar of high attachments, are very beautiful
and touching. Mcssrs. HOLMES, McDowrrr,
and Benton, as our readers are probably aware,
are prominent and distinguished members of the
Democratic party. Instances like this. of mag.
unanimous superiority to the potent influence of
decided and wide difference of opinion, are well
calculated to remind us, in the heat of partisan
contention, that we are all AMERICANS They
give us higher and better appreciation of our
common nature.
From the National lntelligenccr, Feb 25
AT the usual hour of meeting OF the two houses of
Congress yesterday, full attendance OF members and
casion which called the two houses offer public tes-
tmonias Of their profound respect for the memory OF
the Hon JONI Quincy ADAMS, who breathed his last
OH the preceding evening and whose mortal remains
yet lay within the walls of the Capitol
! In the House OF Representatives, the
House w0s called to order
! The Speaker Uhe Hon. r. c. Winthrop rose, and
in feeling and affecting manner addressed the House
as follows
Gentlemen Of the House of Representatives. of the
i Inifed States.
1t has been thought fit that the Chair should
nouncc officially to the House an event already known
to the members individually which has filled all our
hearts with sadness.
A seat on this floor has been vacated, toward which
our eyes have been accustomed to with
mon interest.
A voice has been htsled forever in this hall, to
which all ears have been wont TO listen with profound
reverence.
A venerable form has faded from our sight, around
whic We have daily clustered with an afeconale re-
gard
statesmen OF our land, which has been associated for
more than halt century with the highest civil service,
and the lOitiest civil rcnown.
On Monday, the 2s, instant, John Quincy Adams
sank in his seat IN the presence of ALL by sudden
Illness from which he never recovered and he died,
III the Speakers ROOM nj quarter past seven O'Clock
last evening, with the officers OF the House and the
delegation OF his Massachusetts around him.
Whatever advanced age, long experience, great n
bty, vast learning accumulated public honors, spot
less private character and firm religious faith could
do to render any one an object OF interest respect and
admiration they had done Tor this distinguished per-
and interest, respect and Animation but fee
BILE terms To express the feelings with which the menu
beers OF this House and the people OF the country have
After life of eighty years. devoted from its enrlies,
maturity to the public service, he has at length gone
20 his rest lie has been privileged to die al his post
to fall while in the discharge OF his duties expire
beneath the root of the Capitol and to have his last
associated forever in history with the birthday OF
that iusrous patriot whose Just dlscerInen brought
him first into the service Of his country.
The close OF such life, under such circumstances
is not an event for nnmlnged emotions. We cannot
find il hearts regret that he has died lac
has died. lie himself could have desired no other
most near i n III s8d nc lett sn Language
hardly less familiar to him than his native tongue
IIoc est, minimum, mdsis Jeticiter dc uHd mSfdre
guam mort"
1t is for others to suggest what honor shall be paid
fame But it may be due to ourselves and to the coun-
try that the national sense OF his character and ser,i-
ces should be fifty commcmorated.
, Mr.. Hudson, IN feeling and eloquent words then
proceeded to give an outline OF the public lite OF Mr.
Adams running through more than halt century
and concluded by presenting series Of resolutions APP
propriatc TO the OCCASION Whereupon,
. Mr. Holmes, OF South Carolina, SAID Mr.. Speaker
The mingled tones of sorrow, like the voice OF many
waters, have unto us from SISTER stalc-Nlass;l.
chusetts, weeping for her honored son. The state
have the honor IN part To represent once endured win
yours, common ierlng, battled Tor common cause
and rcloiced in a common triumph Surely then, 1t =;
meet that this the day OF your affection we should
minge our grieis go
When great man falls, the nation mourns; when n
aiorch is removed, the people weep Guns, my as
socaies, is no common bereavement. Ihe chain
times has been mdely snapped. The lips from which
flowed those living and glorious truths lat our fathers
uttered are closed IN death Yes, my trends, Death
has been among us He has no, entered the humble
cottage OF some unknown, ignobie peasant he has
knocked audbly at the palace OF nation ms loot
step has been heard in the hall OF state lie mas
coven down his victim in the midst OF the councils OF
a people He has borne IN triumph from among you
the gayest, wlsest most reverend head An he has
taken him as trophy who was once citi over many
States adorned with virtue, and learning, and truth
he has borne at his chariot wheels renowned one OF
the earth.
There was no incident in the BIRTH the lie the death
of Mr. Adams not intimately woven with the history
OF the land Born i'll the night OF his countrys 'rhu-
ation he heard the first murmurs oi dirontent he
the first efforts for drliveance. W me ye' little
= child he listened with cagcrness to the Whispers OF
, freedom as they breathrd from the lips OF her almost
/ inspired apostles he caught the tire that was then
kndIcd his eye beamed with the iirs, ray; he watch
+ ed the day spring from on high, aud long before ne
departed from earth gacously voncisaled uilu
[ him to behold the eiulgence OF her noonllde glory
His father the promise OF the son, and early led
him by the hand to drink OF the very fountains OF llgh
and liberty itself His youthful thoughts were hhdlcu
with the ideasm of n republic, whose living iorn aud
e features he was destined 10 behold ysiby. Removed
i at AN early age distant country, he there, uhde
the eye OF his father, was Instructed IN NE ad lofe
l. n franklin as have heard him say His intellect wa
u expanded by the conversations aud vlgorhied ny IN
G acul, discussions of the Acadcmcaus whose her!
n zeal. even at that early period was wHnlne "p Wv
mind OF France to deeper thoughts, bo'der 'nqu'l"
. and more ma.ured rcecon--to result ultimately, u
:! we all know, in terrific action Returning To I'M
country ne entered the cool colstcrs OF the college
passed through the various stages 10 acqnle mat dis
- cipue of mind which intense study can alone lnpnl
:, and thence he was about to emerge appeared mos
buds OF promise which soon blossoiieu INTO tho>e pusl
l. ing horrors he afterwards wore SO ihck around NM
1t HIS was not the dreamy lie oil the SCHOOLS pht u
h eapcd into the oi activity 10 run career OF go
ros emulation with the gifted spirits ol the earth IL
saw the efforts to place his country on deep ana sta
q HE foundation where it resls lie had seen IN
e colonies emerge into states, and the states ctItnlc
= INTO unlun and realized III the formation oil 'h's con
y federated republic all that his ardent hopes hau pc
tured ont in the recesses o. schools.
Young as he then was, he contributed, by the cncf
qy of his mind and the vgor ct his pen To supper, IN
L. administration OF Washington who we nave Just pee
~ told transferred HIM early age 10 oteis court
IN scarcely initiated into It's diplomacy p"'c ~,
" COS w,rr rrouired for another ana more eAtchuc'
snhor. Passing from that, be returned 10 MS ow
Il p,,, and In. was placed by the suitages OF M
n stnt, in the chamber at the DINER euu ~ 'n'e p
~ aud ,h,,r, the activity OF his inu, "" he'uo " ~
;" ,h,a, tho indrpiidence OF his ncuuh feh"eItu h'
10 ~ h cous,,,uents for The time being uiacceptap, ny
I'd nn,,ng him 10 the policy III MI !enFison nc ie,
o. cd irnm the halls OF congress ou " ~ III ~,
u ru % W,aricd with the tolls, heated WIN We
ol hope gus. ,,r,J with the dusts OF politics, he WIN
In " ,hr classic groves OF Canbdsr' anu .h.'' "
= III h;s weary mind IN the pure stream "' ,'''
mr. ai 49,, Purified, refreshed hNsofa'eu' NV n
"A .l a,,.r severe study and devout prayer 10 1u n
~, =, ,",rv service He was sent lmIieu,liep W hu
'e as has bren stated, not To rrose 'lu Wv 49,, ,,
ne courts or in rich sloons anna the e''v 81 ~ ,
o. the swell OF yolupnous muse, Du' 10 ~atG nv n, r.
w ue sg g ~, ,hnsr ,hadowy pillows with which all Eh
n 'henv,d beneath the throes OF the great ieaf
Q. NJ Adams saw and elt that the pulse OF freedom
n day by day beat ieeber and ieeber throughout TN
te continent He counseled the Ministers OF Russia
III. was one Of those who stimulated them 10 wax