The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-01-25

89V. x0e0N0EO E3t44k O911VNGS4 -
dress upon the Lifts - Ohesaetsf d Jol
.. Adams, before The F5atsfnity Aasosiatisn
Boston, On Tuesday evening Jan. 4th. y
publish the following abstract - given
Tie Boston Atlas d Bee -
The lecture last evening, in the Fraterni
II course, was By Rev. Theodore Parker,
the subject previously anneuneed-Jof
Adams. The audience in consequence
the severe storm, was exceedingly small, b
made MP in enthusiasm what they lacked
numbers, frequently :interrupting the leet'
rer with spontaneous and hearty applause :
The address was somewhat lengthy-occl
pying over an hour and hall. Il gave ev
dsnce Of most thorough research and car,
fol analysis Of the distinguished man |
whom it treated, and displayed Ill the cha
acteristics Of thought and style, which Z
peculiarly mark al Of Mr.. Parkers effort
The lecture commenced as follows:
1884, the General Court of this Colony mad
q grant Of land at Mount Wallaston to en-
largo the town Of Boston, and in 1886 th
inhabitants of Boston granted some Of thi
land in lots to in lividual settlers or non
residents, who presently formed . churcl
and settled their minister. In l640 the,
we're organized into town called Braintrea
find forty acres Of land granted . Henri,
which was appraised at ssventy-6vs pound
thirteen shillings. 1t consisted Of land,
| barn, and house, which contained enc kitch
on, one parlor, and one chamber in the attic
wherein dwelt the eleven persons that made
up ths family. The inventory mentions thrs,
beds, which ! suppose, contained them al
at night He left, likewise, one COW, on,
heller, swine, some old books, and single
silver spoon. He was grand-father's grand
father to tho second President Of the United
States. 1t was not then very conspicuous
family then, though it has since born two
Presidents, and is still strong and fourishing
promising know not how great future glo-
ries. applause On the other side Of the
sea antiquaries find the family old and baro-
NAL. Indeed the name would justify larg-
er genealogical claim, for certainly the
Adamses ought to be an old family and a
great; according to received accounts, they
are the first in the world (Laughter)
John Adams was born the 10Th of Octo
Der, 1875. His father, Of the same name,
then forty-four years old, and married but
the year before was o farmer Of small means,
living in that part of Braintree which is now
Quincy farmer in summer and shoe
maker in winter, 80 says the local tradition
When he died, in 176O, he left an estate Of
thirteen hundred and thirty pounds,-fo
or five thousand dollars in our money. He
was an officer in the Braintres militia, sever
al years one Of the honorable selectmsnof the
church. He seems to have been we'll ed
ucated man, thoughtful thrifty, useful, with
considerable capacity for business, genuine
righteousness, great strength Of character
and uprightness. Integrity was virtue
which his son might inherit; as well as trans.
init, If virtues run in families. John was the
eldest child Of a family which at length
counted twelys-a number not then thought
very numerous.
Mr. Parker reviewed the life Of Adams,
dividing it into epochs 40 follows; his child
hood and youth; his doings as a lawyer in
Suffolk county; his work 40 politician in
Congress; his services as diplomatist in
Europe; his conduct % Executive Of the
United States, first Vice President and then
President, and finally his demeanor in pri-
vate life, from the time he left the Presiden-
tial chair TO his death
We regret that the pressure Of other i'm
pOrtant matters obliges us to pass at once
over all this part Of the lecture, which
abounded in interesting "reminiscences of
these stirring times, and come to the exposi-
ton Of the character Of John Adams, a.
given by Mr.. Parker. Mr. p. said:
have not much time to speak of Mr..
Adams character, but win briefly refer to it,
dividing it for convenience sake, into his
moral and religious nature
lie had great mind; quick, comprehen
rive, analytical, not easily satisfied save with
ultimate causes tenacious Of ito treasures,
his memory did not fail him until he became
DID. With the exception Of Franklin, think
Of no American in the 18th century who was
his superior; for though Han
sock and Jefferson, nay, jay, Madison, and
really surpassed him in some high
qualities, yet none seem quite SO great on
the whole. His understanding was ample
Though constitutionally averse to regular,
Isrious and long continued attention, he yet
Dasily gathered what lay before him, and
ittingly produced it when occasion required
He gathered great amount Of various
for he was sharp observer Of
human affairs. Yet he attended but little to
he world Of matter; and save for the eco
,omical purpose Of agriculture, or for the
immediate enjoyment OF its beauty, he never
attended to the world of matter around him
lie had no eye for science, no taste for it,
kept when stimulated BY the presence Of
At the ago of 40, he was the
.blsst lawyer in America,-the most learn
d in historic lore, the most profound in the
tudy of first principles. He always went
0 the fountains Of English law, and did not
cripple to follow the stream through all its
many tributary channels His first opinion
vas often faulty, but his final thought was
ommonly deep, strong, and represented the
rue relations Of things. Hence. in spite Of |
is great defects, he had natural instructive |
agacity, and always sound judgment. In
aspect to this, / think he has not had jus
ice done him either by friend or foe. But
q all the great acts Of his life-in his de-
ence Of Capt Preston,-his controversy
nth Gov. Interchangeable Impeachment
THE judges,-his appointment Of Minister
) France, when the nation said NO" and
he like all these things indicate sound
tactical judgment
rocseses He had not that genius which is
$ own method, nor yet the sober, systemat-
} habit of work, which, though seemingly
low, il found at last so swift and sure He
id things "hslter-skelter." In his adminis-
ration a. President, there was no rule for
nything He had q fair imagination; above
ne average Of the educated men of that
me,-but not equal to his understanding.
|esides, Nhe had small opportunity for culti-
ating 1t in early life, or developing it in
ater. Yet he was rather fond Of poetry, had
n ear for music, and was charmed with the
ainting and sculpture and grand architec-
are which 50 astonish the American in Eu-
ops He had . great reason, though its cul-
nre was defective, and his method capri
ious and uncertain. He had not the calm
ess Of philosopher, yet he always looked
or the cause Of things, studied carefully and
emanded proof
His philosophical and metaphysical turn
ppears in all his writings. He was bold in
bstract speculation always bottomed his
rork on ultimate principles Of nature. He
] often profound in his remarks, and
hink no American politician has ever uttered
nore profound truths than fell from the
Mighty mind Of John Adams. He certainly !
ad not mind Of the highest class. If he
ras the first American Of that day after
rankin, he was second to him by long |
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