Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-03-30

capulets, at least to partial oblivion AND IN their
place we have those sneakng, cowardy questions,
Does he belong to our party" p" viii he support
slavery? We hope however that these oldquestions
will yet be raised from the dead and be organized, a.
long with other discarded truths into our system and
administration of government.
Mr. Adams was set aside in the foul elements of po-
tical strife at the close of his first Presidential term
But his enemies could not take the Man out of him..
Nor did he suffer his great talents to remain in idle
ness to die out rot ont for want Of use He never
was too old or too wise to learn lie was true patrl-
ot and therefore could not sustain war in which his
country was in the wrong. That loud emphatic " NO"
on his dying lips proof of his undyng integri-
ty, PATRIOTISM conscientousness and love of freedom
all which so eminently marked his character, 1t was
fit for him to die thus
Mr. Adams had his faults Or errors of opinion. But
of whom could it be said otherwise. He was human
Human wisdom and perfection is limited. We long
ago thought that all things considered he had not
earth Il superior His errors were so much the more
to be regretted, as his great influence would extend
even to them.
While we admired him for his great talents and UNI
questionable virtues for his defence of the right of
petition his opposition to slavery, his independence of
party, his knowledge of the constitution and his
scentious adherence to its provisions we never could
see how or why, with his clear and brilliant concep-
tons of human rights, and quick and comprehensive
perceptions of human wrongs, and especially the
wrongs done the slave he could oppose the abolition
of slavery in the District of Columbia, and declare
that he should vote against it. We read his defence
Of his position this question with great attention
and interest," and read replies to it which retuted
his arguments as easily as truth could reute
This perhaps was his weakest point. But it had its
origin in an extreme love for the constitution, and his
anxious desires that this sacred instrument should be
preserved invoate in all its provisions and comprom-
ses either expressed or implied. In this particular
we see great contrast when comparing him with ma
ny politicians who have no hesitation in breaking the
constitution whenever it suits their convenience and
interest.
His opposition to abolition in the District has UNI
doubtedy had great influence towards preventing it.
Those who had no scruples on the subject have not
hesitated to use his arguments for their
L
have been strengthened by them and others, consci
entious and fearful of doing wrong, have not dared to
act as they wished to, for they thought Mr.. Adams
could not Judge incorrectly.
We never could understand the force of his argu-
ment IN favor of the american claim to the whole of
Oregon, which he founded upon the strength of the
first chapter of Genesis 1t seemed to us that there
was any farce in his reasoning it would favor the Brit
ish claim Us much as ours, unless he thought the Uni
ted States government and citizens were more "rght-
eouS" than those of Great Britain and therefore should
have the right of "eminent domain" or to inherlthe
earth" This position would give us a right to other
countries besides Oregon. We this account doubt
ed whether the argument was in earnest Or only nen
ded as an ronica rebuke for the extravaganza of the
claim, with which by keen specimen Of absurdity
he designed to check the absurdtes of others.*
1t will be seen that to make this argument prove our
claim it would be necessary to show that We are pre-
emnentv christians Ia rather difficult matter we thnk
and that the British people not christians 1t
seems to us therefore, that Mr. Adams could not Seri
ously assume such an absurd position, though as yet
have known any one to doubt that he did so
but it may be regarded one ofhe keenest and most
subtle specimens of irony
He justified Great Britain in the Chinese war. Here
was another case where his conduct seems to be in
consistent and unaccountable. Others might have
done this without exciting any surprise for there are
many who do not recognise the law of right when it
conflicts with the law of might. Mr.. Adams did re-
cognse this law and therefore we are surprised at his
opinion this point
But we like not to review his errors, though to say
he had none would be false and therefore candor and
regard for truth demands that they should be advert
ed to- Let his virtues claim our admiration and atten-
ton. Vices he had none
He is gone. individuals and cities have We'd with
each other in the pomp of funeral pageant All this
amounts to but little. The same cannon which belch-
ed forth their thunders in reoicngs at Mexican victo
ries have doomed again in his funeral knel Is there
any similarity between the cases? To us it seems lit
tie better than mockery. Military professions have
marched the Streets with solemn dirges playing, and
escorted his remains from place to place. But this al
so is nothing Was Mr. Adams military man? Did
he delight in blood and carnage? Wore his garments
stained with the blood of his fellow man? Did he
make the science of human butchery study, or
trade2 That no" on his dying lips answers these
questions. Why then have military procession. 1t
was out of place. and not in keeping with the man. his
character profession. 1t is time that this old relic
of heathenism and barbary should be abolished.
military display was not only in bad taste, but it
was absolutely degrading him The poor misguided
men who foolishly and wckedly embarked IN an I'M
just war; and threw away their lives in pursuit of that
false glory gained in the battle field have been honor
ed in the same or similar style. One escort may have
been larger than another but though differing in de-
gree they did not differ in kind. They slain by
the Mexicans who were defending their rights, their
hearhstones and all they held DEAR Their trade was
blood. Their tools the implements of death. This
was of their own choosing, 1t was fitting to them that
these destructive engines should be displayed, and in
mourning, too at their funerals. They took the sword
and persisted by the sword A display of this kind
should teach us to abhor war; and every thing that is
calculated to feed the war spirit by throwing around
The argument as near recolect this effect
The earth was given Adam, with the command TO be faithful
and multiply epensh the earh and ubdue and have do
ed LAM