The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-30
For the Voice of Freedom.
EX-PRESIDENT ADAM S

EA-l II l. u Il N ~ ~ ~ NJ D
Few men in our country, that have passed off the
stage Of mortal existence, have so universally been
the subject Of high commandation, as has JOHN
Quincy ADAMS. These just emotions of hallowed
sympathy appear to be the spontaneous cflusons of
national gratitude in the contemplation of moral
recttudc during protracted life in the service Of
his country. Perhaps never, since the death of
| WAsIIINGToN, has the mind of the whole country
been so completely in unison in respect to the pat
rotic merits of any citizen, i'll the case sof Mr.
Adams. " lie became popular in spite of himself;'
anything contrary to the popular tone, he was sure
to say to do it in a way least likely to conciiatc
thus earning for himself the character of an undinch
ing integrity.
Mr. Adams generous, arduous, and triumphant
effort in behalf of the Amistad Captivcs ought not
to be passed in silence. This work of humanity
this labor of love- did not properly lay in his path
as he had not practiced at the Bar for more than
thirty years. But he saw an act of great injustice
about to be perpetratcd by the nation, and he felt
that every patriot called upon to do his duty, to
avert the cruel, disgracefill wrong. He therefore
bucked on his armour, and prepared to do battle in
their defence
Here was presented the greatest scholar, the most
distinguished statesman, the man who had been
ambassador at the Court of ST. Petersburg, and St.
James, the ExPrc,ident Of the United States stand
ing up as a lawyer, to plead the cause of few
wretched beings. There he stood, and there he
spoke with all the energy of his noble SOUL formorc
than ten hours I" He put in requiston all his skill
as lawyer, all his learning as a civilian, all his
knowledge dplomatst, all his powers as an ora
tor, all his feelings as man and Christian" All
these he summoned to the cause of the Amistad
Captves. Here Mr.. Adams offered burnt Offering
on the altar of humanity, and his offering was ac
cepable to the high tribunal before whom he stood,
and was ratified by the court Of heaven.
Would time and space permit, we might dilate on
hisprvatc and social virtues, his prcsencc-bearing
dignity, yet true humility in public meetings. the
ready active part he has taken in plans of social
improvement, the elevation of common schools, and
the diffusion of useful knowledge, and ennobling
sentiments among the peoplc,-wc might tell of his
urbany in the social gatherings and private circles
where he was.
But we must omit the many bright and shining
qualities and traits of his character as we feel bound
to notice in few lines, brief sketch of his rel-
gous views.
1t was observed by great divine that His re-
l9on is the basis Of his greatness" and here we are
bound to say that, CHS religion was the religion of
the minority" He felt that "region was preemi-
nently personal matter, that every man ought to
have his own reasons for his own faith" lie there
fore made religion the subject of thorough cxamna-
ton studded the Scriptures of the Old and New
Tcstaments, and made himselfacquainted with their
origin. Scarcely a day passed without his devot-
ing portion of it to the studyof the Bible" and he
studied it as every accountable being ought to study
it, for himself. He believed what he there found
taught, respecting God Christ the nature and des-
tiny Of man, and he was not afraid to avow what he
believed, although it placed him in the minority of
fast beleverin Unitarian Christianity" Mr. Adams
was never ashamed to be in the minority, either in
the hall of legislation or Christian community, when
he conscientously felt that he was in the right ;-ho
was only afraid to be in the wrong. The last word
which JOHN Quincy ADAMS uttered as Legislator
was NO and it was in the minority. Thus he
ended his public career he began it, rejoicing to
be with the many, when the many in the right,
but daring always to dissent when he believed the
many to be wrong L. G.
Pittsfeld, March II, 1913.