The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-07-20
John Adams In the Congress Of 1875.


When Mr.. Adams was first made a
member of the Continental Congress it
was hinted that he, at that time, inclined
to separation of the colonies from Eng.
land, and the establishment OF an indie
pendent government. On his way to
Philadelphia he was warned by several
advisers not to introduce subject of so
delicate character until the affairs OF
the country should wear different
aspect. Whether Mr.. Adams needed
this admonition or not will not, in this
place, be determined. But in l776, the
affairs of the colonies, it could no longer
be questioned, demanded at least the
candid discussion of the subject. On the
9th OF May of that year Mr.. Adams
offered, in Committee of the Whole, a
resolution that the colonies should form
governments independent of the crown.
On the 10th of May this resolution was
adopted in the following shape: That
it be recommended to all the colonies
which had not already established gov
ernments suited to the exigencies oi
their case, to adopt such governments as
would, in the opinion of the representa-
tives of the people, best conduce to the
happiness and safety of their constitu.
ents in particular, and Americans in
general"
This significant vote was soon followed
by the direct proposition, which Richard
Henry Lee had the honor to submit to
Congress, by resolution, on the 7th day
of June. The published journal does not
expressly state it, hut there is no doubt
that this resolution was in the same
words, when originally submitted by Mr.
Lee, as when finally passed. Having
been discussed on Saturday, the 9Th, and
Monday, the 10th of June, this resolution
was, on the last mentioned day post
poned for further consideration to the
1st day of July, and at the same time il
was voted that committee be appointed
to prepare Declaration to the effect Of
., the resolution. This committee was
elected by ballot on the following day
and consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sher
man, and Robert r. Livingston.
Ii is usual when committees are chosen
by ballot that their members are ar
ranged in order, according to the number
of votes which each has received. Mr.
Jefferson therefore probably received the
highest and Mr.. Adams the next highest
number of votes. The difference is said
to have been but q single vote.
Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Adams, standing
thus at the head of the committee, were
requested by the other members to act
as a subcommittee to prepare the draft,
aud Mr.. Jefferson drew up the paper
The original draft, as brought by him
from his study, and submitted to the
other members of the committee, with
interlineations in the handwriting of DR..
Franklin and others, was in Mr.. Jeffer-
sons possession at the time of bis dee IN.
The merit of this paper is Mr.. Jefferso rs.
Some changes were made in it, on the
suggestion of other members of the COM
mittee, and others by Congress while it
was under discussion. But none of them
altered the tone, the frame, the arrange
ment, or the general character of the in
strument. AS composition the Declara-
tion is Mr. Jefferson S. 1t is the pro-
duction of his mind, and the high honor
of it belongs to him clearly and abso'
lutely.
While Mr.. Jefferson was the author oi
the Declaration itself, Mr.. Adams was its
great supporter on the floor of Congress.
This was the unequivOcal testimony OF
Mr.. Jefferson. "JOhn Adams" said he
on one occasion, "was our Colossus on
the floor; not graceful, not elegant, not
always fluent in his public addresses
he yet came ont with a power, both OF
thought and expression, that moved us
from our seats. And at another time he
said: "John Adams was the pillar of it,
support on the floor of Congress-iS'
ablest advocato and defender against the
multifarious assaults which were made
against it."
On the I'd day of July the resolution
o. ot.independence was adopted, and on the
4th the Declaration itself was unani
mously agreed to. Language can moi
describe the transports of Mr.. Adams al
this time. He has best described them
himself, in letter written the next day
to his wife.
Yesterday" says he, "the greatest
question was decided that was ever de
bated in America, and greater, perhaps
never was or will be decided among men
A resolution was passed, without one
dissenting colony, THAT these United
States are, and of right ought to be, fret
and independent States The day il
passed. The 4th of July, 1776, will be
memorable epoch in the history of Amer
lea. am apt to believe that it will b
celebrated by succeeding generations a
the great anniversary festival. 1t ough
to be commemorated as the day of deliv
erance by solemn acts of devotion to AL
mighty God. 1t ought to be solemnizet
with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns
bells, bontires, and illuminations, from
one end of the continent to the other
from this time toward, forever. Yol
will think me transported with enthusi
asm, but am not. / am we'll aware o
the toll, and blood, and treasure that |
will cost to maintain this Declaration
and support and defend these States, ye
through all the gloom / can SEQ the ray
of light and glory. l can see that tn
end Is worth more than all the means
and that posterity will triumph, althoug
you and may rue it, which hope W
shall not"