Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-12

that little children should bs seen and
not heard had confirmed him in what
he had then thought was a bad habit
While he was at Ghent, making the
treaty Of pesce In connection with Henry
Clay and Albert Gallatin, he made an after
dinner speech, in which he accused Clay OF
trying 20 kiss & chambermaid. This is the
only instance in which | remember he at
tempted the frivolous, and this time he was
wotully rorsted by Clay. Clay sat directly
opposite him at the table. 1t wEs at the din
ner given in honor OF the treaty after its con-
ditions had been decided upoo. Clay was
sstOunded at Adams speech. 1t came from
. source entirely unexpected, and during it
he felt at loss as TO how TO respond As he
looked into John Quincy Adams cold face,
however, and noted a tear trembling upon
his eyslid from his constitutional infirmity Of
sore eyes his reply flashed across his electric
brain As soon as Adams had taken his seat
and the laughter had subsidet be arose and
said Il plead guilty to the gentemau's in
dictment What Mr. Adams has said i all
true but it Is only part Of the truth. 1t is
true that the chsmbermaiG was pretty. 1t i
trus that her eyes We're dismOnlS and her
lips were cherries. Ii Is true that, filled with
admiration, ! attempted 20 embrace her and
offered TO her five francs for single kiss from
her rosy lips. But 1t is also true-Rnd this the
gentleman has not told you-that she T7Idely
repulsed me, and asked rne whether | thought
she was a fool to let al ugly fellow like Inc
have a kiss for a few francs when the nice
little gentleman across tie hall-and here
Clay po;:ited TO Mr.. Adams-had just offered
her four times as much"
The joke was upon Adams and he took it
50 much to heart that he would not speak 10
Clay for days He became recOnCilcd, how
ever. before the commissioners left for Amer
lea, and ten years later We find Clay bis sec
retsry of state.
Speaking Of John Quincy Adams diaries
and bis habit OF saving everything for future
use, an incident occurred at Client which
illustrates this attribute of his nature. The
American commissionerS-Adams, BayGrd,
Clay and Gallatin-met with closed doors III
a chamber Of the hotel, and before proceeding
TO business they agreed that every proposition
should be in writing and that the mover
should sign his name. After several days of
conference the provisions Of the treaty were
decided upon and the session came 70 a close
As the commissioners were about TO leave,
John Quincy Adams, looking at the paper
scattered about the room, SAID lit was a pity
to lose so much stationery and that he would
gather it up" The others went out, Clay re-
marking as he did so: Let the Yankee in
dulge his economical propensities." But
Adams had far different idea than was sup
posed. lie wanted the notes, not the paper
He saved them all, and when he came back
to America he knew more about the treaty
than all the rest of the commissioners put
together.
Clay had a great fear Of Adams magazine
Of facts. He once said that "a man il a born
fool who engages IN a controversy with John
Quincy Adams on a question of fact | doubt
whether he was ever mistaken in his life.
And then, If he happens to be in doub: about
anything, there is his inevitable diary, in
which he has recorded everything that has
occurred since the adoption of the federal
constitution"
Clay wept as he stood holding the hand Of
John Quincy Adams during one OF his last
hours, when he lay dying III the Capitol
Adams was unconscious. and he could not
know the honor paid him. His death forms
one OF the most remarkable "reminiscences of
the congressional halls He had been for
years one of the marked figures of the house.
The only ex-president who hns ever sat upon
the Goors Of congress, his great age and his
wonderful career made him a striking figure
Always in his seat during both day and night
sessions, b. was as active a member Es TIN
youngest Of the representatives, and he hs'!
arisen TO present some petitions at the mo-
ment when death struck its first blow. lt
came in the form of apOplcNy, and at first
John Quincy Adams tried to Withstand it
He grasped hold of his desk, but he could not
support himself, and Representative Fisher,
Of Ohio, caught him in his arms. The cry
went up: Adams is dying and it was even
so. He was carried out and laid upon a sofa
in the speakers room. As he fell back upon
the cushion he uttered his last words They
were: This is the last OF earth. | am content"
By this time both houses had adjourned,
and the news had been telcgraphed all over
the Union. Mr.. Adams lay unconscious for
several days and then deL His funeral was
that of a president He lay in state in the
Capitol, and his remains We're viewed by thou
sands. The funeral ceremonies were cele-
brated in the presence of the army and navy
in full uniform, the supreme court III their
gowns, of the diplomats in full dress Of the
president and his cabinet, of congress, and, in
fact, Of all of WaShingtou's then great men.
The body was first carried to the Congress
siOnal cemetery. the funeral car Of President
Harrison being used, and this was drawn by
six white hor--s. II afterward lay in state in
Faneuil hail, in Boston. and was finally in
terred in the family vaults at Quincy.
FRANK g. CARPENTER
Desertions Prom the army