Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-25

JOHN ADAMs.-In his lecture upon John
Adams, Theodore Parker draws the following
picture of the sturdy old patriot We copy
from the report in the Boston Daily Adver-
tiser:
"Mr. Adams had a great mind, quick, com
prehensive, and tenacious of its treasures. In
tellectually, he had no superior, unless we ex-
cept Franklin. He was a sharp observer of
human nature, although, perhaps, not close
or accurate one. His first opinion was often
faulty, but his final thought was always deep,
just and founded on the true relations of things.
He possessed, sound, practical judgment, yet
lacked method in his habits He had a fair
imagination, but not equal to his understanding.
He was quite fond of poetry, music and paint
ings, and was lover of the beautiful, both in
nature and art. He was not philosopher, yet
he always looked for the final causes of things.
Few American politicians have ever uttered
anything more profound than what fell from
the mighty lips of John Adams. Thus con-
stituted, he was somewhat of an originator,
though not great one He constructed insti-
buttons, yet he could not organize men to sup
port them, nor even manage men after they
were organised. He had but little talent for
administration, and often acted from impulse
and caprice. He was not skillful diplomatist
abroad, though it must be acknowledged he
did great service in procuring loans from Hol-
land and in negotiating treaties. He had great
virtues as well as vices. He was a man of
much physical and moral courage, a virtue sell
dom found in scholarly men. He inherited
what we call spunk, and we all know that he
has transmitted it. Mr.. Adams was a very
conscientious man, had clear perceptions of
justice, and an utter hatred of hypocrisy in
every form. He was very open-hearted, and
not good at keeping secret. In this connec-
ton, Mr.. Parker told the following anecdote
Mr.. Adams once visited Faneuil Hail. to see
the portrait of Washington, in company with
several friends. One gentleman remarking
Washington's tightly compressed lips, said,
That is the man for keeping a secret Yes
replied Adams, but this damned fool tapping
his own bust with his camel never could Mr..
Adams was often strongly tempted to an undue
indulgence of his natural passion, yet he never
yielded In this respect he was deserving of
great praise, and surpassed Franklin, Jefferson,
Hamilton, and even Washington. He was,
however, ill-tempered and sullen. Although
ambitious, he never allowed his desires to go
beyond his duty. He was not magnanimous
mamie was intensely violent in his wrath,
which kindled at the slightest provocation, but
which nothing could for the moment appease.
He was not an eloquent speaker The form
was often defective, but the substance always
strong and good. He had little confidence in
the people, no instinct of democracy; but rath-
er leaned towards the aristocracy. He was ac-
cused of favoring monarchy, wishing to estab-
fish kingdom in America, but the charge was
false.
Notwithstanding his many faults, Mr.. Par
ker thought it would be hard to find Drawer
man, one more profound in thought, more con-
scientious, more patriotic, of more mistaken
integrity, than Mr.. Adams. While American
institutions should last there would always be
honor for brave, honest old John Adams, who
never failed in his courage or his integrity,
score years, never corrupted any woman or
any man"