Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-10-17

united states DOndS or into new
four and a half percent. bonds, and
the taking up of corresponding
amount of those outstanding.
A WOMAN IN POLITICS.
Story Of One of tho Mothers Of the
Republic.
From the Providence Journal.
Mrs. John Adams, the wife of the
second President, was one of the &C
complished ladies who have been
acknowledged leaders in American
society, and have held honorable
places among foreigners of high
birth and station. She was genu-
inc politician also, taking keen in
tercst in the struggles of parties;
stimulating the ambition of her hus-
band, and training her son for his
long and brilliant career in public
life. If she were living to-day it is
quite possible that she would be
foremost among the strong-minded
women who are asserting their
right to share in social and public
affairs. Her letters are of high val.
ne to the historian, giving clear
insight into the movements of the
times, and into the character of the
men who led and shaped them.
Mr.. Parton has furnished stri-
king sketch of her independence
and candor, in his article on Thos.
Jefferson in the atlantic for Sep
TENDER. She had been deeply
wounded when Mr.. Jefferson was
elected President over her husband.
in 1901, and all intercourse between
the families ended. But when his
youngest daughter died, her warm
heart was touched, and she wrote a
tender letter of sympathy to the be-
reaved father, closing, however,
with an allusion to the estrangement
in signing herself zone who once
took a pleasure in subscribing her.
self his friend"
Mr.. Jefferson replied with thanks
for her kindness, and regrets for the
alienation, stating candidly that he
had only one grievance against Mr..
Adams, that just as he was retiring
from office he filled all vacancies
with ardent enemies of the new in
cumbent. But, he added, 81 soon
returned to the same state of esteem
and respect which had SO long sub
sisted"
aThis opened a door for cores
pondcnce, into which Mrs. Adams
entered as eagerly as the war-horse
paweth for the battle. She said not
a word to Mr.. Adams, preferring to
carry on the fray alone. Mr.. Adams,
she said, had only initiated the ex-
ample of General Washington, who
left no offices to be filled by his sue
cessor. He intended no disrespect
to Mr.. Jefferson, and a large part
of the appointments were made be-
fore it. was known that Mr.. Jefferson
was elected. But, she added, he
had wounded Mr.. Adams sharply.
"One of the first acts of your Admin.
istration was to liberate a wretch
who was suffering the Just punish.
ment of his crimes for publishing
the basest libel, the lowest and
vilest SANDER which malice could
invent or calumny exhibit, agains,
the character Of your predecessor
The remission of Callender's fine
was apublic appreciation OF his con
duct" Mr.. Jefferson, she added
had done more than remit the fine
He had given Calender fifty dollars
and complimented him on his writ
ings.
"One other act of administra
tion," she said, was personally un
kind-the removal of her son from
office-"but as it affected neither
character nor reputation, I forbeal
to state it." This was carrying the
war into Africa vigorously, and Mr.
Jefferson felt called upon to make
an elaborate defence. He denied
all knowledge of the wretch re
ferred to, but said he had pardonet
every offender under the alien an(
sedition law, because he regarded
1t as a nullity; he had in no case
asked the nature of the otfense. A.
to Mr.. Calender, the compliment
was given before he had INDUCED
in coarse libel; and the money wa
given "to relieve restitution, not to
reward scurrility." AS to the per
sonal unkindness, he added,
declare on my honor have not TIL
least conception what act was allu
ded to-"
This called forth another lette
from Mrs. Adams, in which tn
mothers heart spoke strongly: ga
soon as Congress gave the appoint
ments to the President, you re
moved my eldest son from Office
This looked so particularly pointe'
that some Of your best friends il
Boston expressed their regrets tina
you had done So" Mr.. Jefferso
: replied promptly that he had not re
moved John Quincy Adams. Th
t Commissioners were discontinue
g by an act of Congress. clad
l known that your son had acted,
D would have been a pleasure to m
g to have preferred him to some VIII
e were named in Boston.
: 1t is pleasant to know that Mrs
II Al l..
G nations made by Mr.. Jefferson
e though the breach of friendshi
: continued for several years. Mr.:
/, Adams showed the letters to he
r husband after the correspondent
d closed. He was evidently proud {
y the ability she had shown, and {
l. her hearty championship, and wa
e Modified by the kind tone of Nj
Jefferson. A few years later the