Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-02-19
M | s { E / l. A n Y.
ADAMS THE FEDERALIST.

Rev. Theodore Parker delivered an address
upon the Life and Character Of John Adams.
before the Fraternity Association in Boston, on
Tuesday evening, Jan. 4th. We publish the fol-
lowing abstract as given by the Boston Atlas &
| Bee =
The lecture last evening, in the Fraternity
course was by Rev. Theodore Parker, on the
subject previously announccd-John Adams
Ihe audience III consequence of the severe Storm
was exceedingly small, but made up in cnthusi-
aSm what they lacked In numbers, frequently in
tcrrupting the lecturer with spontaus OILS and
hearty applause. The address was what
iengthy-occupyingo over an hour and half
1t gave evidence of most thorough research and
careful analysis of the distinguished man Of
whom it treated, and Displayed all the charac-
tcristcs of thought and style, which so peculiar
ly mark all Mr. Parker's public efforts.
The lecture commenced as follows: In 1854,
the General Court of this Colony made a grant
of land at Mount Wolastonto enlarge the town
of Boston, and in 1886 the inhabitants of Bos-
ton granted some of this land in lots to individ-
ual settlers or nonresidents, who presently form
ed church and settled their minister. In 1910
they were organized into town called Brain
tree | find forty acres of land granted to Hen
ry Adams. He died in 1916, and left an estate
which was appraised at seventy five pounds thir-
teen shillings. 1t consisted in land, barn, and
house, which contained one kitchen, one parlor,
and one chamber in the attic, wherein dwelt the
eleven persons that made up the family The
inventory mentions three beds, which, suppose,
contained them all at night. lie left, likewise,
one cow one heifer, swine, some old books, and
single silver spoon. lie was grand-father's
grandfather to the second President of the
United States. 1t was not a very conspicuous
family then, though it has since borne two Pres
idents, and is still strong and flourishing, prom
ising know not how great future glories. Gap
plause.) On the other side of the sea antigua
ries find the family old and baronia Indeed
the name would justify larger genealogical
claim, for certainly the Adamses ought to be an
old family and great according to received
accounts they are the first in the world Gaugh-
teri
John Adams was born the 10Th of October,
1875. His father, of the same name then forty
four years old, and married but the year before,
was farmer of small means, living in that part
of Braintrce which is now Quincy-a farmer in
summer and shoemaker in winter, so says the
local tradition. When he died, in 1760, he left
an estate of thirteen hundred and thirty pounds,
-four or five thousand dollars in our money
He was an officer in the Braintree militia, sew
cIul Years one Oh tllp OF tnc
town, and for many years deacon Of the church.
He seems to have been well-educated man,
thoughtful, thrifty useful, with considerable ca
pacity for business, genuine religousness, great
strength of character and uprightness. lnteg-
rity was virtue which his son might inherit,
as well as transmit if virtue run in families
John was the oldest child of family which at
length counted twelve-a number not then
thought very numerous.
Mr.. Parker reviewed the life of Adams, diyid-
ing it into epochs as follows: his childhood and
youth his doings as lawyer in Suffolk coun-
ty; his work as politician in Congress- his
services as a diplomatist in Europei his conduct
as Executive of the United States, first Vice
President and then President, and finally, his
demeanor in private life, from the time he left
the Presidential chair to his death.
We regret that the pressure of other impor-
tant matters obliges us to pass at once over all
this part of the lecture, which abounded in in
teresting "reminiscences of those stirring times,
and come to the exposition of the character OF
John Adams, as given by Mr.. Parker Mr.. p.
said
have not much time to speak of Mr.. Adams
character, but will briefly refer to it, dividing it,
for convenience sake, into his intellectual, NOR
al and religious nature.
lie had great mind quick, comprehensive
analytical, not easily sallSheu save with ultimate
causes tenacious of its treasures, his memory
did not fail him until he became old. With the
exception of Franklin, think of no American
in the 18th century who was intellectually his
superior; for though Hancock and Jefferson
nay, Jay Madison, and Marshall really sur
passed him in some high qualities, yet none
) seems quite so great, on the whole. His un.
derstanding was ample. Though constitutions
ally averse TO regular serious, and long-con
tinued attention, he yet easily gathered what la,
before him, and fttingy reproduced it when oc
casion required He gathered great amount
of various knowledge, for he was a sharp observ
er of human affairs. Yet he attended but little