The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-08-22
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.


John Adams and Th0mUs Jefferson.
The following graphic portraits Of these
distinguished men is from the forthcoming
volume fthc eighth Of lBancroft's History
oi the United States:
JOHN ADAMS.
On the 9th day Of February, John Ad
| ans resumed his seat in Congress, with
ElbridEc Gerry for II colleague, in place
Of the feeble Cushing, and with inStruc.
tiOnS from his constituents to establish
liberty in America upon permanent ba-
sis. His nature was robust and manly !;
now he was in the Eappicst mood Of mind
for asserting the independence Of his
country. lie had confidence in the nbil-
lty of New England 10 drive away their
enemy; in Washington, as brave aud
prulrnt commander; in his wifi, who
chccrcd him with the fuititulc Of woman.
Is hcroi>m; in the cause Of bis country,
which seemed 50 bound up with the wei
fare of mankind, that Providence could
not suffer its defeat in himself, for his
convictions were clear, hi, viii fixed, and
his mind prepared to let his little proper.
ty and his lie go, SOONER than the nights
Of his country.
Looking into himself he saw weakness
cs enough ; but heather mranneso nor dis
honesty. nor tlmlity. His Overwhelming
self esteem WAS hi, rhicf blcln,h; aud if
! he compared himself " itli hi great !c!Iow-
labOrcrS there "aS som" point in which
he va, superior 70 any one ot them; he
had more learning than Washingtont or
any other iuIcIican statesman Ci his age;
better wlcdg" Of liberty aS .aundcd in
law thaa Samuel Adams; clearer insight
into the constructive elements Of govern.
,, ncut than Frank in; more powerful in de.
bate than jefferson more courageous
rnarihc,s than Dickinson; more force in
tit.4ii.,ts- Jay ~ t!atLy- varying and
c'-t4ttt;t:: his -eeihFafiaoit- lit. eouitl easily
fancy himself the greatest If them all. Hc
was capable Of thinking himself tic cen.
ter Of any circle Of which hc Ind been no
more tl,an tangent, lis vanity was il
such cxtcs, than IN manhood it sometimes
confused hi, judgment and in age bcwil.
dvrcd his memory but the stain did not
reach Beyond the surface; it impaired the
iu>tcr, not the hardy integrity Of hi,
character. lie was humane and frank
! generous and element; yet he wanted that
. slilit Of love which reconcilcs to being
oat'lonc. lie cnu.d not look with com.
/ p.arcury "a those who cXccl,cd bin, and
I r Eai,od anG;hcr's pa!m as wrong 70
hth,",f; hc never sat placdily under the
! >hai "f Il greater reputation than his own,
, ahd could Try to lo>tle aside the prcsuup.
: tuouS passenger of recognised superiority;
/ but Ii, cayy, though it laid open how
! deeply bis Sr.flovc was wounded, had
hafi,y tin-e Of rua,iguitv. and never led
h.n To dricllpuS tlr the sake uf revenge.
H. i:l his fame iijsSiicc when, later in
+tli'', he represented himself M suffering
/ from persecution on account Of his carly
ztal for independence he was no weak
.ing, t. whine about H. jutcd feelings he
wcht to his task bright and CHEEKY and
brave he was the hammrr and not the
! anvil; and il was for others to fear his
( Irpwc,( and to shrink und"r his blows.
/ HIS courage was uniilnchirg in debate aud
, everywhere els" hc never knew what
J !oai j.; had hc gone tto the army as he
";,rc lpngcd t. I", lc would have taken
. there the viitIc of temperance, decision,
anl iutrcpi .Itv. 10 h!, latest old age his
.,ir;, w.. rnln,.f Ln.vout and invoIs .
b.. say f., tt,n,.. ~ much ,l,Ssnrn u ,
: ,..r,, :, th,. v,rl1. mad .ftrr Ills ,rm
o.,iv.,.5 mad H.. .v. ,rcw dim hr wos
r o,iv ,n h.,,in ,if. .i.,v and ti,,,,t lis hat.
,,.. n,,.r ..,,;n
l., his youth he C,.ll omong the skcptics
..,I read 'Bo,iurhrnkc', works five lines
t.,,,..,,i, ,uI accustomed him.rIttnrroson
freely und think boldly. II. esteemed him.
.tia profound n,,a,,nv.irinu hut only
,o.mu,,d H.. .,c,Iluijous If others .
i,.,u,h ~ frs, destined IA be u minister
H.. n,.a,,. 'lvin;.r and nrvr,
l,jau, tyrl rcli ,ious creed. but for nj,
! ;hat il. wa. n staunch man Of New Eng.
l,nl. and his fond ra,tia,ity 70 his pco.
pl,. is institutions, il, social condition
n,.I i,> laws followed him into Congress,
anl it, committees, aud social liC. lMc.
I tarci his Judgment. and clenchcd his pre-.
possessions, but the elements in New
/ England that he loved most, were those
which were most friendly TO universal
/ culture anl Republican equality. A poor
| farmers son bent on making his way into
the world. a, twenty wears old beginning
To earn his own bread, pinchcd and Starv.
c,l AS master of stinsv country scool, he
formed early habits OF order and frugality,
/ and steadily advanced to fortune but
, though exact in his accounts, there was
nothing ui.garly in his thrift. and his
modest hospitality WAS prompt and hear.
tv. He loved homage, and il made him
blind to those who llattercd him he gave
his confidence freely, and often unwiscly;