Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-05-18
ADAMS, JACKSON AND CLAY.
FROM LECTURE ny SECRETARY
THOMPSON.

He proposed to speak OF three dead
statesmen, with whom be had been per-
sonsly acquainted, and whose public life
he had witnessed. They were selected
because they represented three distinct
types Of character, and each Of whom
were great in their particular sphere. -
Whatever their contemporaries, in the
heat and bitterness of party conflict, had
said about them, now that we can view
their characters and deeds through this
unbiased medium of history, their claim
to the first rank among American states
men will not be disputed. Adams, Jack
son and Clay, names which reused the
frrcest passions and evoked the bitter
est invectives from the minds inGsmed
BY the rancor of political contests. Thors
is point OF difference, ss well M resemb
lance, with these three men, arising from
thsr dissimilar family and social rela-
tions. Adams descended from an old
and wealthy family; in early life came
under the influence of education and tho
associations of well regu sted and law
abiding community. jackson and Clay,
born in poverty. without early advsnta-
ges, were compelled in wild, unset,
tied community, where the scenes shifted
according to the passing passion, to seek
that fortune which was not theirs by in
heritance. They were all men of marked
ability. Adams, of n cautious, deliberate
nature, with almost the appearance Of
timidity. But it was only in appearance
that he was com mbative his opponents
have good reason to know. Outwardly
cold his passions were violent, smolder-
ing within like the pent-up fire OF n volca-
no. jackson and Clay we're men made
in the same mould, men conscious that
they were born To rule, and men who
were inspired with such sublimity of
patriotism that they were ready TO sacri-
| fee their lives upon the altar of their
country. served with Adams in tho
| House during the twenty seventh and
twenty eighth Congress. | SAW him die
at his desk like medieval knight with
his armor on. One scene in his life brings
out fully the mans character. 1t was in
that celebrated trial for treason in 1912.
Adams was firm supporter OF the right
OF petition. and when he was asked to
present petition looking to the dissolu-
ton of the Union, he did SO, because he
held that all petitioners had at least the
right to be- heard. For this he was
charged with treason and arraigned for
trial. Against him wer arrayed Mar
shall, Gilmore and Wise, men of preom
inent and acknowledged ability ms orators
and oebaters. In the long excited do
bate which followed, Adams, with the
mature ability of n giant, laid his oppo
nents in the dust, and achieved the proud.
est triumph of his life.
The first time | saw Jackson wa. at
the celebration Of the battle Of New Or.
leans, at Nashville, Tennessee. He then
impressed me us | saw him on horseback
ms one whom nature had stamped as d
nobemnn. lie was great man with 6
kind heart. the truest OF friends, unswerv,
ing in duty. If he committed srrors il
was not from disinclination to do wha
WIS right. The number Of persons now
living who wero personally acquainted
with Clay ia growing less every year
and his fame now rests with ;he historian
from perussl of his speeches, it may be
difficult to understand the power which
he welded. Even we, whose hearts were
touched and played upon by his burning
eloquence. cannot describe his power to
others. Clay never studied oratory his
eloql qlence was the blaze of an internal
FIRE. Hence, his set speeches do not give
a fair idea OF his power. lie needed tho
stimulant of Il great occasion in order to
rise to ths full height of his power. The
! lecturer closed with an eloquent flight on
/ the power OF the orator.
/ - -s---