Graham guardian., 1903-11-06

between England and the United
States, and was afterward Minister
TO England.
After his last return TO America
the first election Of President oc
CURED and he. receiving the next
highest number of votes TO Wash
ington for resident, was therefore
chosen, under the old plan, as our
first Vice President He was re-
elected TO the same office for a
second term, and on the retirement
of Washington be was elected
President by few votes over JEFF
ferson, who thus became Vice
President
1t seems that with all his bluff
honesty Adams had much vanity.
and was, at times, rather imperious
and overbearing, but we should
not let this fault of his prevent us
from appreciating his true worth;
for many of his acts show that
where his vanity and love of per.
sonal success conf cted with what
he thought the good of his country,
his choice was always for his coun
try'S welfare thus showing what a
great and good patriot he was.
Notably such case happened
while he was President, when he,
for the love Of his country, broke
with his party in his efforts to
avert war with France; and thus
while doing great good for his
country he greatly reduced his
chances of IA second term, which he
was so ambitious to secure Be-
cause of this high stand of his, par
tisans of his own party became bit
ter against him and his cabinet was
disrupted.
For this great act Of a great man
he deserves posterity's kindest re-
membranes.
Though urged and supported by
his party, his approval of the Alien
and Sedition laws was unworthy
the great part he had always
played in his country'S service
rhes, extremely unpopular meas
ures with the people. to sethar with
the dissensio1s am Ing the pDliti-
clans of his own party. prevented
his reelection, and Jefferson, who
WAS tied with A,ron Burr, was
chosen President by the II buse Of
r representatives.. \ lams and JEFF
ferson had become politically es-
tranged, and Adams was 81 dis.
gnStcd and chagrined that he would
not treat Jefferson with the orIin.
AIRY couriesies shown by an outgo-
ing to an incoming President; bat
it is pleasant for us to remem ber
that these two statesmen, whose
names are so closely connected
with the Declaration of Indepen
dence. became recOncilel and were
as they had been years before, firm
friends.
Adams like jefferson lived TO a
good old aye. and saw his country
grow rapidly in size, prosperity
and honor; both of these iIlustrious
Patriots dying on the same day, a
Day they both dearly loved.
cherished and honored through
every fibre of their being, Day
that we all love, cherish and honor
the 4th of July, 1926, the Fiftieth
Anniversary Of their beloved c1un
try's Independence, Adams aged
near nine y-one aud Jefferson over
eighty-three years.
Adams last toast was given on
the day of his death: "Indepen-
dence fnrever," and bis last words
were: Thomas Jefferson still sur.
vives," and he did survive, though
not in the body; and John Adams
still survives. in the hearts of u
grateful people.
Heroic Riser of the Shaft,
BniIt by Jefferson with such craft
That still it stands, the Beacon
bright
To all oppressed with horrid night,
From end to end Of all the earth,
Since brightest genius gave il
birth.
Aye! and thus will stand for ali
time,
With majesty and truth sublimel
For service such as this alone,
Though ther works of thine are
kuo vn
Worthy son of a worthy age,
Stamped in glory on history's page.
Immortal, bigh, thy name will
stand,
| Tmunrt,II Shrined in all our llndl