West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1881-11-18

soclated together through life aLd
IN death, both OF these eminent men
| dying upon the same day, one in
Massachusetts, aud the other in Vir-
Sinia, on the fou, th OF Ju'y exactly
dtty years after the day on which
they had jointly placed their names
upon the famous declaration OF
American independence, Below we
give two very remarkable letters
psnned by these men in their old
age after they had laid aside the
cares of public life and were enjoy
ing each serene old age, surrounded
by loving friends. The character
standing and age Of the writer's, the
one in his eighheth the other in his
eighty seventh year, give these
letters a peculiar interest. 1t is
pleasant to recall this kind of CORE
sPondeuce between these two diotin-
guished men, showing that the as
pentiss OF party by which they were
At one time separated, afterwards
completely disappeared and in their
place feelings Of unieigned kindness
and respect grew up. And how
charming an o,d age like theirs. re-
tanning even uuder it's decays and
inhrmitles the intellectual vigor un-
impaired, and displaying amidst it's
SHOWS the greennees and freshness OF
summer lifel 1t was an enviable and
privileged height to which theee
great men had attained, from which
they were permitted to look down
upon an extensive and eminently
happy country, enjoying the fruit
OF labors and sacrifices, more than
realizing their grandest anticipa-
tions, and regarding them with that
gratitude and respect 10 which their
magnanimity and distinguished pa
trIotlsm 80 emphatically entitled
them. We regard these letters as
among the richest treasures to be
gatherei from the whole range Of
private correspondence, and we are
sure our readers will place an
equally high estimate upon them
and value them accordingly,
The letter of Mr.. Jefferson wac
written soon after an attack upon
him by the "Natlve Vrginian;" and
when there was strong expectation
OF war between Russia and Turkey:
this will explain some illusions
in them.
FROM MR.. JEFFERSON TO M. ADAMS,
moNToRLLo, June ! 1922.
1t is very long, my dear sir, since have
written to you My dislocated wrist is
now become so stiff that | write slowly
and with pain; and, therefore write as
little as ] can. Yet IL is due 10 mutual
friendship 10 ask once in while how we
DO? The popers tells US that Gen. Starke
is off al tho age of nnety-three. .-#E+++
still lives, at about the same age, cheerful.
slender as grasshopper, and go much
without memory that he scarcely recog-
nizes the members of bis household. An
| intimate friend of his called on him not
long since. 1t was difficult 70 make him
recollect who he was, and sitting one
hour, he told him the same story four
timcs over. Is this lifc2-wi lablinp
step
To tread our former footsiops2 pace the
round
Etcrnal?-to beat and beat
The beaten track-tO see what we have
seen
To taste the tasted-o'er or palales 10 des
cant
Another viniagcY
1t is, At most, but The life Of q cabbage,
surely not worth a wish. When all our
faculties have left, or are all leaving us
one 10y one, sight memory, every avenue
Of sensation is closed and athumy, debility.
and mslaise left ia their places, when the
friends OF our youth are all gone, and a
generation is risen around us whom We
know not, lie death an cyil2
When one by one our ties arc torn.
! And friend from friend Is snatch d forlorn.
When man BE- left alone 90 mourn.
Oh, then, how sweet 10 is 90 diel
When trembling limbs refuse their weight.
And films slow gathering dim the soht
When clouds obscure the mental Ugbt
Tie natures kindest boon 10 diet
] really think so. I have ever dreaded
a do'ino old agc; and my health has beer
general y 90 good, and is now 90 good
that I dread it stnl The rapid declin,
Of my strength during the last winter ba
made me hope sometimes that sec Gland
During summer, enjoy its temperature
but ] shuddor at the approach OF winter
and wish could sleep through it with thl
( dOrmOuse, and only wake with him il
spring 1t sver.-'rhey say Starko coui
walk about his room, am told you wall
we'll and firmly. ! can only reach my gar
? den, and that with sensible fatigue. Ifide
b however, daily; but reading ia my delight
, I should wish never 20 put pen 90 paper
and the more because Of the treacherou