The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-02-04

living. 1t emanated from the son Of one
Of the most distinguished of those patriots.
II attracted the attention Of General Wash.
ington ,thenPresident Of the United States,
who soon after rendered TO young Adams
foreign mission. Every person will see
the perfect identity Of the views proclaim.
ed by Mr.. Adams and those avowed BY
the Republican party.
The institution OF slavery was then nc.
knowledged TO be wrong. In the Ian.
gnage OF Henry Clay, it was looked
upon as a curse--a curse 10 the slave,and
a glievous curse TO the MASTER" crime
which they were constrained TO tolerate,
but could moi justify.
The people Of the free States regarded
it as a relic Of the more barbarous ages,
unsuited 10 Christian civilization, and they
repudiated and abolished it.
But the Southern States suffered !! 10
remain undisturbed until it became cTron-
ic, and men began to look round for argu.
menls in favor Of its continuance. Those
OF more desperate character began TO deal
in slaves, making merchandise in human
Aesh their regular vocation. Planters
began 10 look upon these crimes as com
mon, became familiar with them, and
eventually justified their perpeti alton by
what they termed the necessity Of sur
rounding circumstances. OF course, they
viewed Northern men, who advocated
universal freedom aud justice to all, with
distrust. snd soon alter with determined
opposition. This feeling became so strong
AS TO defeat the elec ion of Mr.. Adams Ia
the Presidency in 1928, although his pre-
vious Administration had been able, pure
and patriotic.
Ii was The good fortune Of that renown-
ed statesman TO have lived at the time
when the Declaration of Independence
was promulgat He had mingled free
ly with the patriots who devoted their
lives TO the support OF its self.evident
truths :" he had drank deeply at the
fountains OF Liberty he had fully imbib.
ed the spirit OF tina, heroic age. Soon
after his defeat in the Presidential cam
pagn, lie became member of this body +;
aud while here he adhered most strictly
to the doctrines of the Revolution, and
strove to develop the real Issue which then
existed between slave and free labor
While the Slave Power was constantly
prosecuting him, endeavoring 10 PROSTATE
| his influence, he was iahoring to bring oul
TO the public view the secret doctrines
and moliveswhich controlled its adyoca eS.
! II gentlemen will consult the debates oil
of this body during the time he served
here, or his biography, they will find that
he was constantly endeavoring 10 develop
the precise issue now existing between
the Republican and Democratic parties.
may be permitted 10 cite an instance. In
1914, the Legislature Of Massachusetts
sent 10 this HouGe a memorial, asking aD
amendment oi the Constitution, so rs TO
apporlion the representation in Congress
according to the free population oil the
several States. 1t was referred 10 Sc
lect committee Of nine members, some oi
whom were regarded as among the a5Iesl
statesmen OF the South. As chairman
Mr.. Adams drew upa report. Ii was
based upon the sel:-evidenl truth, that
all men have equal right to live. TO lha!
liberty which is necessary 10 acquire
knowledge and attain happiness. 1t was
read TO the committee, aud considered
matureIy. Of the eight members besides
himself, | alone signed this report but
no one denied its doctrines. lio and !
had hoped that Governor GiImer, Of Vir.
ginia, and other Southern members, would
have had the moral courage TO admit or
deny its principles bu! they evidently
| feared TO do SO.
will give another instance, illustrating
his confidence in the truths OF that nstru-
ment. When Southern men had long
| been m the habit Of threatening dissolu-
ton OF the Union, some people OF Massa-
chuseits became tired of the bombast land
sent petition TO this body, praying Con
gress 10 take measures for the peaceful
and immediate separation OF the States
composing our Coniederacy. Its presen
talion by MIR. Adams created great sen
saiion in this body; and a resolution o
censure was Immediately offered anc
the aged patriot was forthwith arraignec
Mt the bar of the House. The enemie;
OF Freedom were loud in their exultation
they fully expected to PROSTATE his Intlu.
ence. A distinguished and eioquen, sor
Of Kentucky was appointed 10 manage thu
prosecution. Some oi Mr.. Adams friend
.aitrred others became alarmed. ant
made indecent haste to deny all sympath,
with him, and publicly TO repudiate hi
doctrines but these things did not NOV,
: him. A deep and absorbing interest per
vaded this body and the community gen
orally. Every member was in his seat
The spacious galleries were crowded t.
> to their utmost capacity. Against hin
p were arrayed Gilmer and Wise and Coop
: er and johnson, and host Of Distinguish
: ed men from the slave States. Marshal
led The assault in an able and effective
: speech. showing, to the apparent sasisiac'
ton of all Southern members, that Mr.
Adams had been guilty of treason to the
people and to the Government OF these
States, by presenting the petition.
AS Marshall closed, the distinguished
statesman rose from his seat. His move
ments were deliberate, and his whole
bearing was dignifed. His form was
erect under the weight Of four'score years
There he stood, venerable Tor his age, fo'
his great learning, for his important servi-
ces, for the high honors bestowed on him.
He entered upon no argument. He put
forth none of that terrible invective which
had so oiIpn cnused his enPmies IN tram +.