River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-06-21
Remarkable Families

The recent death Ofex- Governor Israel
Washburn, of Maine, recalls the remark
able family of which he was the eldest
son.
About twenty years ago, the spectator
in the gallery of the national house Of
representatives might have seen, sitting
side by side, three members who Lore
a decided, though not close, resemblance
10 each other They were three brothers
Israel, Elihu and Cadwallader WASH
burn, 1t was noteworthy, too, that the
three represented different states in the
Union.
Israel came from Maine, the parent
state of all the brothers. Elihu was
sent by Illinois. Cadwallader was q
member from the younger and more
western state of Wisconsin.
All three of these men afterwards
achieved yet higher distinctions in pub
lie life. Israel became governor of Maine.
Elihu, who had secured Gen. Grant his
opportunity for fame, was made that
presidents first secretary of state, and
during the period of the Franco-German
war was our minister at Paris. If we
mistake not, Cadwalader, before his
death, was governor of his adopted
state.
These were not all the members OF
this noteworthy family Of Maine-bred
boys. A still younger brother was af-
forwards a member of congress from
another western state, and yet other
brothers occupied positions of impor-
lance and trust.
Our free republic has witnessed more
than one family in which talent and en-
inenCe were hereditary. We do not be-
lie2e in those hereditary distinctions
which pertain to the nobilities in
Europe. If the son of famous father
becomes himself famous in this country,
he must do so by superior qualities OF
his own, and not by the reflection of pa
ternal greatness, or by right of birth
alone.
The most remarkable instance of the
display of high mental qualities in an
American family, through several gene
ratiOns, is that of the Adamses. The ell
der John Adams and his son, John
Quincy Adams, occupied the presiden-
tial chair by reason; in each case, OF
very conspicuous personal ability.
Charles Francis Adams, in the third gem
Grafton, was long prominent candidate
for the presidency, and was one OF the
ablest statesmen this country ever sent
to represent it at the British court.
In the fourth generation, three sons
of Charles Francis Adams have made a
national reputation by brilliant intel
lectual qualities of their own, and one OF
them has already been seriously thought
of by his party as candidate for the
vice-presidency.
Another noteworthy American family
is that of the Bayards, of Delaware.
Three generations of Bayards have sat
successfully as United States Senator,
from their little state; and the present
senator perhaps an ADLER man than
either his father or his grandfather, is a
conspicuous candidate for the presI-
dency.
1t is a somewhat striking fact that
usually, in these cases ofinherited ability,
the sons have been children not only OF
talented fathers, but of mothers of ster-
ling and superior character; and some
times the brilliant son has shown gu l.
tiles inherited rather from the mother
than from the father.
The elder Adams's wife, Abigail
Adams, was a noble type of the New
England matron in the days of the
Revolution. The wife of her son, John
Quincy Adams; was one of the most bril-
liant and amiable women who ever pre-
sided over the social amenities OF tne
White House. In each of these cases
the son cert tinly derived much OF his
talent from his mother.
So far are Americans from being prone
to honor and advance the sons of emin-
emf men, that they look with true Re-
publician jealousy upon anything like
hereditary preference; and this fact
makes it all the more honorable and note
worthy when such sons, in presence OF
what is actually disadvantage, conquer,
bv their own brains and effort, position
of influence, power, or fame.-fouth' s
Companion.