The Virginia enterprise., 1912-06-28
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setting up ar1stocracies and m0narchies had
our forefathers emigrated to America, subdued
the wilderness and won independence. Born
free and equal was Z phrase that must have
concrete reality.
Against the aristocratic tendencies that he
saw about him Jefferson set himself to fight
with quiet but grim earnestness. For a
time, however, the Administration party tri-
umphed. Adams was elected president to sue
ceed Washington; Jefferson was forced to be
content with the vice-presidency. Then came
the quasi-war with France and with 1t a de-
cided reaction against Jeffersonian republican
ism. But in the pride of their might the Fed
eralsts overreached themselves in the fatal
alien and sedition acts, while Adams bravely
refused to be pushed into an unnecessary war
with France by the reckless Hamiltonians. By
so doing he wrecked his party, but rendered
his country the greatest service Of his career.
Years later he said: I desire no other inscrip-
tion over my gravestone than this: "Here Hes
John Adams, who took upon himself the re-
sponsibility of the peace with France In the
year 1S0O"
During these years tho friends frequently
reminded each other that there was nothing
personal in their political conflicts. But per-
sonal pique inevitably crept in. and neither
was always able to refrain from attacking tho
other. His defeat in the election Of 1900 was
a great blow to Adams. Deprived of the GOV.
eted second term, he behaved with a pettiness
that was out Of keeping with his real great
ness. After putting Federalists in every va
cancy on which he could lay his hands, he
shook the dust of the capital of his feet, and
on the early morning Of March 4, 1901, before
his triumphant enemies were astir, drove of
northward without waiting to see his success
sor installed in ONCE. It was seemingly final
sad ending to friendship between two men
who, each In his own way, were as sterling
patriots as ever lived.
But time works great changes, Jeherson's
administration, especially during the first few
years, proved 80 successful that most Federal
lists turned Republicans. Though he had BIT
ter enemies who even plotted the formation Of
Northeastern Confederacy," they were not
numerous enough to figure largely in the elec-
tion returns. After all. Adams hated Hamilton
and his satellites far more than he hated JET.
ferson. His son, John Quincy Adams. unable
to swallow such British outrages as that COM
mtted by the leopard" on the chesapeake"
severed his relations with the feeble remnant
of the proBritish Federalists and became
Republican. When Timothy Pickering pub
lished pamphlet arraigning the administra-
ton, John Adams replied to it, thus appearing
as supporter of Jefersons policy.
In 1904 Jefferson lost his lever dear daugh-
ter" Mary. II, of my want" he wrote sadly.
have lost even the half Of all had. My
evening prospects now hang on the slender
thread Of single life"
The news proved too much for great-hearted
Abigail Adams. Without her husbands knowl.
edge, she wrote Jefferson letter Of con-
dolence, in which kind feeling goodness Of
heart and proud unforgving spirit were
curiously commingled.
Jefferson's reply was that of a noble man
to a noble woman. After thanking her In
suitable language, he made an earnest effort
to revive the perishing friendship between
the two families. Several letters we're ex-
changed, but the wounds the Adamses believed
they had received still smarted, and cordial
relations were not then restored.
In 1911 Dr.. Benjamin Rush Of Philadelphia
expressed to Jefferson desire to bring about
reconciliation, and Jefferson gladly en-
braced it. In letter to Rush he said many
complimentary things Of Adams, and added
that in the preceding summer two of his Vir-
ginia neighbors had visited Baintree and that
Adams had said to them: II always loved
Jefferson and still love him" This" wrote
Jefferson. 'is enough for me. I only needed
this knowledge to revive toward him all the
affections of the most cordial moments of our