The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-12


Capon Springs Virginia On their return they took the
route of the railroad and met at the depot by
large number of the patriotic citizens of Alexandria,
who welcomed the Chief Magistrate to their ancient city
with degree of cordality and enthusiasm which called
forth feeling response After the ceremony of reception
was over the President expressed regret at his inability to
accept of the proered Inequalities and assured the COM
nittee Of that he would avail himself OF an
early opportunity to visit Alexandria
THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOHN ADAMS, AND THE MIS-
SOURI, COMPROMISE
IN the midst OF the violence and of the abol-
tions growing out of the repeal Of the Missouri reSc
op II ia refreshing to go back to the days of those patri
OTIS who cotehporaneous with the events whc leu 10
the aaop,ion Of the Missouri line but acted spec
tators of the drama than as actors in the scenes wch
DISTINGUISHED the days Of ls2ol2l. They friends
throughout twenty years of their hves-dierns grea'y
in political opinions and disracng the country by their
OWN diaeysasubat sties fcr the contemplation of the
American citizen Both Of them in the Congress which de-
cared the American colonies free and ndependentthe one
securing the honor of writing the Declaration and the other
of having been among the first to prepare the way for it
that great of kindred abors and sacrifices rendered
their ultimate companonshp and intercourse agreeable
to both After the Declaration was made, John Adams
said: IL am not transported with enthusiasm; am
well aware OF the toll the treasure and the blood
II viii cost to maintain this Declaration; support
and defend these States Yet through all this gloom
can see ray of light and glory. see that the
end is worth more than all the mems After each had
filled the highest Office in the peoples gift as they
came nearer the grave their devotion to their beloved
country became an and absorbing passion While
they were constantly comforting with each ohethe one
from Quincy Massachusetts, the other from Monticello
Vrgniaon the aspects of the world upon the rise and
fall of NAPOLEON upon our second with England and
upon the various movements in Congress- the Missouri
question broke upon the country to the fine figure Of
Mr. jefferson "fke fre-5eH in the night" When we go
back find how these patriots felt upon this question:
and especially how Mr. Jefferson spoke and wrote we feel
intense contempt and horror for those maconents of the
day who invoke the of the ages of the past
as so many excuses for their deliberate hostility to Ameri
can institutions In of Mr.. Jefersons letters to Mr..
Adams dated Jaauary 90 1921 he employs the following
significant language the Missouri question:
Our anxeties this quarter all concentrated in the
question What does the holy alliance, in and out of Con-
res mean to do with the Missouri question? And
this by the way is but the of the it is only the
John Richard Roe of the ejectment The real ques
ton as seen in the States afflicted with this unfortunate pop
uation is slares to be presented m freedom and
tons Of the inhaJants Of the States win Me States, it mN
be but another Of that declare that all shall be
free Are nee, them ogaf" Aenian and Lacodemonidn
oontraeey To wage another Peoponnesian war to set
tie the ascendency between them? Or is this the tocsin OF
merely servile war; THAT REMAINS TO EE SEEN; But
HOPE NOT ny YOU OR A,E. SURELY THEY WILL PAR
LEY AWHILE, AND GIVE US TIME TO GET OUT OF
THE WAY. What bedlamite is manv'
How anxious to avoid what was then regarded as the
impending catastrophe Of the republic! How socous to
be called away before the edce they had assisted to rear
should crnmble into the dust But the tempest passed
they survived to their country prosperous and
happy, and the fourth day of July, 1896 they both
passed from earth TO heaven We feel that this is no IN
appropriate period to recall that mysterious coincidence
now when the foes of the Union again al work-now,
when New England in the person OF Sumner seeks TO in
suit the memory of her first Adamsesnow when the abo
oniss of the North quote the example of Jefferson in
support of their hated and helsh policy We let Hon.
Edward Everett in his Grafton of August LIST 1926, on
Adams and jefferson at Charestown Massachusetts speak
of this wonderful event:
could give neither rce interest to the account of
these sublime and touching scenes by anything beyond the
simple recital of the airesay familiar to the public
Their deaths nearly simultaneous For several weeks
the strength of Mr. Jefferson had been gradually failing
though the vgor of his mind remained unimpaed AS he
drew near to the last and expectation remained that his
term could be much prolonged he expressed other wish
than that live to breathe the air of the itieth ami
versary of independence This he gracouy permitted
to do But evident the morning OF the fourth,
that Providence intended that this day consecrated by his
deed should be soemnzed by his death On some moment
AIRY revival his wasting strength the friends around him
would have soohcd him with the hope Of continuing but he
their by saying he did not fear to
die Once drew to his close he lifted M head
and murmured with a smie 1t is the fourth of July
while his repeated exclamation the last great day. was
uac diaaia Domino Lord now ieest thou thy servant
depart in peace He departed in peace, little before
o'clock of this memorable day unconscious that his compat
riot who fifty years before had shared its efforseven
pers-was the partner of its glory Mr. Adamss mind
wandered back the long line of great things with
which his life filed, and found rest the thought OF
independence When the discharges of artillery proclaimed
the triumphant anniversary he pronounced it great and
good day. thrilling word of independence which fifty
years before ador OF manly strength he had sounded
gres was now among the that dwelt his lips and
when towards the hour noon he felt bis noble heart
ing within him. the last motion that warmed il sas that
Jefferson still survives Bu he surYlTes nothc IS gone.
They are gone togetherw
Mr. Adams had not the high hope in tie perpetuy OF
the Union that entertained by his friend Il: letter
dated December a. 1878, the Missouri question he sa
The Missouri question: hope will follow the other waves
under the ship, and do harm, know it il hiph rea
express doubt of the perpetual duration Of our
vast American empire and free institutions and |
say as devouy Father Paul este peype'ao but am
sometimes Csssaudra enough dream that another Ham
on and another Burr might rend this mighty fabric in
H.