The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-19
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, FEARS.

The recently published DIARY of John Quincy Adams
While Student in the Office of Theophilus Parsons at
Newburypor" under the title of Life in New England
Town. 17S71788 dscloses noteworthy facts touch
ing the first impression and earliest view of the young
who destined to become the father of the Mon
Doctrine the sixth president of the United States
in regard the federal constitution adopted by the
convention at Philadelphia the 18th of September
1857 just ten days after he entered law student the
Office of Theophus Parsons in the low house that still
stands, it is said on State street. Newburyport
John Quincy Adams was then between twenty and
twenty-one years of age but he ordinary youth
this diary itself shows He had spent six years with
his father in Europe where associated confidential
capacities with of distinction much older than him
self seeing great deal of both Franklin and Jefferson
especially the latter for whom it is said he entertained
a strong boysh admiration. At fourteen he stu
dent in the University Of Leyden Leaving his father
in France. when John Adams going his mission to
England, he returned to America Harvard uni
versty Graduating there in 1887 he Immediately after
wards became student under Theophilus Parsons a
stalwaIt Federalist then a of thty-seven years,
with some thirteen years experience at the bar who
nineteen later chief justice of Massachusetts,
Writing his son from London in 1888, John Adams
said:
Preserve your Latin and Greek like the apple of your
eye Mr.. Parsons, your master is great lawyer and
should be your oracle"
This diary shows great Federalist lawyer
NO oracle" OF young John Quincy Adams.
The first recorded reference of his life that const
tuition of government under which he destined to
play conspicuous and great part entry the
diary for October II, 1884, follows:
The day passed usual, except that I had some
political chat with Mr.. BsTsons He favors very much
the federal constitution which lately proposed
by the convention of the states Nor do wonder at all
that he should approve Of it. as calculated to in
crease the influence power and wealth of those who
have any already. II the constitution is adopted will
be point gained of the arisocratic party
There are TO be titles Of nobility but will
great distinctions, and those distinctions will soon be
hereditary and We shall consequently have mobiles but
no titles. For my part willing to take my
chances under any government whatever but it is hard
TO give system which have always been taught TO
cherish and TO confess that free government is
sisteDt with human nature"
Writing TO his mother the 2Srd of December 1887
Mr. Adams said:
The newspapers will show you how much the public
Us engaged in the discussion of the continental form
Of government which fear will be adopted"
On the 9th OF February 17SS the Massachusetts con-
venion, at Boston ratified the constitution and the
next day Mr. Adams made the following entry in his
diary:
This day, about noon the arrived in this town
that the federal constitution yesterday adopted
ratified by majority OF nineteen members our state
convention In this satisfaction is almost uni
versal; for my part have been pleased with
this system and acquaintance long since brand
ed me with the Of AntiFederalist But am now
converted though not convinced Ny feelings upon the
occasion have not been passionate nor violent and as
upon the decision OF this question find myself upon
the weaker side. think my duty submit without
murmurng against what is be helped our gov
eminent opposition TO the acts OF a majority OF the
people is rebellion 70 all intents and purposes and
should view man who would now endeavor to excite
commoon against this plan as no better than an
gent who took arms last winter against the
Justice"
MI Adams thus his loyal adhesion to the new
continental form Of government" which seemed to him.
nevertheless to that free government is incon-
ststent with human nature"