The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-06
ITHD Sons ON US


eTfT 1919 IVf,
4ilscs The noon. enllghtening one.haif OF
the globe and ruling the tides OF.
oceans Franklin then responded to
the toast; George Washington He
sald. First In war. first IN peace. and
lrstt In the hearts OF his countrymeh:
who, like Joshua Of old, commanded
tho sun and the o 10 stand atlll,
and they obeyel him"
Venerable old man. august phlloso.
pher, prophet OF tbs brotherhood OF the
human race. What ccstntic happiness
cmbelllshed the end OF his careerl From
Ills fortunate asylum and In the midst
of his brothers. who enjoyed in tran
utility. the fruits OF his inbors. and the
success OF his genius, no sung songs OF
deliycrance. The last look which nc
cagt about him, beheld America happy.
The United States looking upon them
q selves as his children. bewalied the
death Of the father OF their republic.
France. his family by adoption. honor
ed him as the founder OF her laws: and
the human rue revered him az the uni
syersal patriarch who formed the al
4 Iiance OF nature with society. The re-
membrance OF Ben Franklin belongs 10
all ages. his Immortality TO all nations,
and his glory TO eternity!
John Adams was u delegate In the
first Continental Congress, and n OF
the most active, jealous and efficient
members OF that body. He was recog-
nlzed as having "the clearest head and
the %irnest heart OF any mai In Con-
TEress," and hls three years OF laccs-
SAINT labor in this capacity, as one OF
Massachusetts representatives, was OF
the most valuable kind. He belonged to
ninety committees and was chairman OF
y TWENTY-FIVE of them. dlschnrging the
duties OF each with prumptness md en-
lsergy. So advanced was he In his opln-
Ions In Congress that he shocked the
loyal and terrified the tlmld OF his u
trymcn. Ready and strong In debate.
Incorporating In the support of his
propositions, rather haSty In temper, he
urged with a restless energy the im-
portance OF independence.
When open hostilities began In the
spring OF lis. Adams secured the APP
pointment OF George Washington as
commaader-in-chief OF the Continental
Army. On the 11th of June. l776. Thorn
as Jefferson, John Adams. Benjamin
Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert
r. Llv!ngston were appointed u com
mittee to prepare the Declaration Of
independence. They, in 70. had seen
England as we more than Z century
later see Spain, cnamored By her sell
fish system OF policy, and obstinate!y
determined to effect the execution OF
her nefarious purposes, deaf to the
suggestions OF reason and humanity.
and to the demands of justice, unwilling
to turn from the unplous work of Me-
diavaiism, tyranny and blood with
~ ,tf,tah tkatrH bo nd T-,,a,aH 9 , tp.t fTt, 80
had heard the immortal words of Pat.
rick Henry: Give me liberty. or give
me DEATH until the thrones OF all Eu-
rope trembled.
They had seen an oppressed and down
strodden people shake the shaclsles OF
the world. and had heard the joyous
peal OF the Liberty Bel! on that fourth
day OF July, which sounded the knell
of British dominion, and proclaimed
Liberty throughout all the land, INTO
all the Inhabitants thereof"
But we are DEPRESSING. Early in 1,1S,
the foreign affairs of the United States
having assumed an important aspect.
Mr.. Adams was CHOSEN by Congress q
Joint commissioner with Franklin, Lee
aud Deane. at the court OF France.
Adams embarked for that country on
the 18th of February, IT'S. and after q
forty-five days passage arrived in Bor-
deaux.
Between his appointment and his ar
rival In France the Independence OF the
SuD!ged States had been recognized by
that country, and treaties OF commerce
and alliance concluded between the
Two Eatiols. In. Paris he devoted HIM
SELF TO the duties OF his commission In
~Ncoriunc;ior With his colleagues until
Congress, acting on the advice of Al
ans. appointed 4 single minister plcn.-
!~trotentiary to- the court OF France, and
Benjamin Franklin was chosen.
Without waiting for 4 lette. OF recall,
Adams returned in the summer OF lI7a,
10 America. The first French minister
10 the United States sailed on the
same vessel with him. He soon received
from Congress 4 new commission for
the negotiation OF peace with Great
Britain, when that nation should be.
found in a humor to recognize the indie
nendence OF the United States and TO
enter into bonds OF friendship. A task
more honorable. momentous and diff
cult could rot have awaited him-nor
one bearing more ~emphatical testimony
of THE confidence OF his wisdom, abilit-
les, integrity and patriotism.
In 1850 he left Paris and went to Hol-
land as minister plcnipotcntlary where
as a~-preIiminary to the negotiation OF
a treaty OF alnity and commerce 1t was
necessary to procure the recognition of
the United States as an independent
power. Congress also assigned 70 him
another duty. namely: to negotiate q
loan of ten millions. In both of these
important duties he was e%mirently sue
cessful. In May, ;ISJ, Adammi arrived
in London, the first ministc OK the
limited States to England. lie was the
first American to appear before the
throne OF George III, and was therefore
in, the kings eyes the personificatlon OF
successful rebellion. His reception was
attended with the usual diplomatic
courtesy and was more gracious than
might have been expected. After o resi-
dence In England OF three years. Mr..
Adams returned TO the United States In
June. 1TSS.
Adams was singuiarly adapted for
times OF storm and revolution. He had
an earnest, uncomfortable spirit. an
i~ntre7id!ty that shruak from no dan
ger, q m integrity OF wonderful
pureness. He had clear views. vigorous
sense and a power Of expression strong
and striking. His faults OF vanity. OBJ
gtinancy and bluntness may well be
forgotten, when We remember how con-
aistcatly this true patriot served Amer
lea.
We have spoken OF Franklin and
Adams more at length because they
are the leading representatives Of Jul
Revolutionary diplomats. There are
other men not to be forgotten, about
whom much has been written. but time
VII! allow only the mention OF their
names. John Jag. with his intrepld