The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-18
THE LAST DAYS OF A GREAT MAN.

lie was now 1t the age of ninety, infrm in
body, but yet preserving g remarkable activity
of mind. Unable to see clearly enough to read
or to guide pen to write, he still retained so
much interest in present objects as fully to
employ the services of members of his imme.
date family, both in reading to him and in
writing after his dictation. What he most dis
liked was the mere vegetation of extreme age,
rather than to fall into which he would cheer
fully listen to any book, however trifling, which
might at the moment be attracting the fancy
of younger generations. The brilliant fictions
of Walter Scott, then in the height of their
popularity, the sea stories of Cooper, and even
the exaggerated but vigorous poetry of Byron,
were all welcome in the intervals when he could
not obtain what he better relished, the remin-
iscences OF cotemporaries or the speculations
of more profound writer's in England and France.
His avidity for new literature was so well under
stood, that he. seldom failed of supply from
the goodwill of kind friends in the neighboring
city. In this way, he used to sit day after day,
with his arms folded, one hand resting on q
cane, exactly as he is represented by the paint
er, Gilbert SSdart, in the portrait, an engraving
of which is to be found facing the title of the
tenth volume of the present work. This con-
dition was varied by a single ride taken daily
in fine weather around the vicinity, in the
scenery of which he ever delighted, and by con-
versation with friends and visiters who CHANGED
to call and see him. Such was his habit, after
exercise in walking had become too fatiguing
to his yet heavy frame. Thus ebbed away the
remnant of his being, gently and insensibly, as
Cicero so happily describes " Semper eniD, an
his studiiS la6OrJusq,te, ciceRt non intelligitur
quando Obrepat Selaectus. TIA SeRSinl sine Seasu
Cetds SeneSch. Nee Su6ito .frangitur, sed diat-
mrnitate ertingaitur."
The relatives of Mr. Adams were not, how
ever, unaware that the spring of 1926 opened
upon him with enfeebled powers. This became
so observable in the month of April as to warn
them of what would ere long take place. He
was stretching over his ninety.frst year. The
year was generally viewed with uncommon in
terest as marking the lapse of the first half
century of the national history. The 4th of
July approached, and on every side sprung up
demand for more than common celebration
Of that anniversary. The eyes Of all invoun.
tarily turned towards the few who yet fingered
Of the survivors of l776, and especially to the
two individuals most identified with the action
which had made the day famous forever John
Adams and Thomas Jefferson yet lived. They
were thought TO be still able to come forward
and crown with their presence the joyous festiv.
tiles of the jubilee. With what interest would
the younger generations view these time honor
ed servants of Freedom, once more brought
together in presence OF the nation, after twenty
five years of separation, to shake hands for the
last time with each other, to take note of the
happiness and prosperity they had done so
much to promote, and to receive the warmest
expressions of gratitude from millions of CRATE
full hearts. Stimulated by these IDEAS invita-
tons poured in from all quarters to secure the
desired meeting at some favorite and convenient
place. Even the neghbors Of Mr.. Adams,
| though they well understood his strength to be
unequal to a distant excursion, yet fattered
themselves that he would at least be able to
honor their comparatively small gathering with
his presence. The sanguine hopes thus excl
ted were all destined to be equally disappoint-
ed for the objects of them were even then not
wholly insensble TO the nature Of the far more
imperative summons that was awaiting them.
AS the time drew nearer, the townsmen of Mr..
| Adams became more and more aware Of the
progress of his decline but, if they could not
have him in person, they still desired to obtain
| from him some last word or sign Of cheer to
his friends and neighbors upon the interesting
occasion. To this end, the individual who had
been selected to make the Grafton was deputed
! to pay him a visit and communicate their wish
es. He did so; and he has briefly recorded
| the result in diary which he left behind him.
1t was on Friday, the goth of June, at o'clock
in the morning, that, according to his account,
he walked down to see Mr. Adams. His record
! is as follows: "Spent few minutes with him
in conversation, and tool. from hin toast, to
be presented on the 4th of July, as coming from
him. l should have liked a longer one; but,
as it is, this will be acceptable. Il will give
you,' said he, Independence .forccer!'" He
was asked if he would not add anything to it,
and he replied, " Not a word"
The visiter, evidently not one of the laconc
school, in Directing to this toast as not long
enough, may raise a smile in the present day
Looking back from this distance Of time, il
would seem as if the addition of another word
must have spoiled it. In that brief sentiment
Mr. Adams infused the essence of his whole
character, and Of his lifelong labors for his
country.
The visiter had not come too early, for the
symptoms OF debility became more and more
alarming every moment. There was no suffering
except from the labor of respiration bat this
increased so steadily that. early on the morning
of the 4th, Mr.. Adams's medical adviser, DR.. Hol
brook, predicted his patient would not last be-
yond sunset. In the mean time, the celebration
went on in Quincy, as everywhere else. No more
interesting festival has ever occurred. From
one end of the country TO the other, the names
of Adams and Jefferson were coupled, wherever
Americans were gathered together, in accents
of gratitude and praise. All remnants of party
passions were completely drowned 10 the strong
food Of national feeling which overspread the
land. AT Quincy, the exercises passed and the
banquet began. The orator of the day here
again records the following: presented the
toast obtained from the President, and it was
received with unceasing shouts"
AS these shouts were raising to the skies
shouts which might have been caught by his
ears, had they been longer sensitive to receive
them-the spirit of MIR. Adams was passing
away. The sands of long, varied, and a
memorable life, we're run out. q noble and q
pure heart, the aspirations of which had ever
been for the advancement Of his country and
the welfare Of his race, had ceased to beat
The record already quoted adds, that the in
telligence of the Presidents death was received
as the company were beginning to leave the
hall."* 1t was not moment suspicious
to further manifestations of noisy Joy, although
such death could not convey with it any O.
the common feelings of sadness. 1t was
fitting close Of brilliant day. The setting
sun spread its rays over the dispensing vapors
These extracts from the diary of George Whitney
afterwards pastor OF the Unitarian parish Jamsic;
Plain III Roxbury, Massachusetts and early cut OF
IN his sphere of usefulness, furnished 10 me by III
Kindness of u surviving brother, the Reverend /.
Whitney, Brighton The facts may be depenPed upon
WHICH is not always ihs with the last hours oil dis
lngulshed men,