The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-06-28

lives" Thus encouraged Rush addressed to
the two fellow-laborers In the cause of free
dom an eloquent appeal 10 bedew their let
ters OF reconciliation with tears OF affection
and Joy"
The hopes of the peacemaker were realized.
Although Adams answered I've appeal in a
facetlous and somewhat deprecatory letter, he
ended with half promise TO comply with
Rush's wishes, Taking as excuse the send
ing Of some specimens OF New England home
spun. he wrote a friendly letter 20 his old com
rade and rival.
The Joy with which Jefferson received this
overture is visible in every line OF his happily
worded reply. Without even waiting for the
arrival Of the homespun, he FASTENED 20 write
an answer that in part was as follows
"a letter from you calls up recollections
very dear 10 my mind IL carries me back 20
the times when, beset with difficulties and
dangers we were fellow-laborers in the same
cause struggling for what Is most valuable
20 man, his right OF self-government Labor
ing always at the same oar. with some wave
ever ahead threatening 10 overwhelm MS. and
yet passing harmless under our bark, we knew
not how, we rode through the storm with heart
and hand, and made a happy port.
"Of the signers OF the Declaration OF Inde
pendence see now living not more tnan half
a dozen on your side OF the Potomac, and, on
this side, myself alone
you and have been wonderfully spared
and myself with remarkable health and con
siderable activity OF body and mind ! am on
horseback three or four hours OF every day.
visit three or four times a year a possession
I have ninety miles distant performing the
winter Journey on horseback I walk little
however, a single mile being too much for me;
and I live IN the midst OF my grandchildren,
one OF whom has lately promoted me 10 be a
f.pra M "a I hav yyfth pia
that you also retain good health and n greater
power OF exercise In walking than ! do But
! would rather have heard this from yourself
and that, writing a letter OF mine full Of ego
tsms and OF details OF your health your hab-
its. occupations and enjoyments ] should have
the pleasure OF knowing that I'm the race "
life you do not keep In It's physical decline,
the same distance ahead OF me which you have
done In political honors and achievements"
Thenceforward no cloud was ever allowed 20
come between them Both had wrongs 20 for.
give and forget. but they did II nobly Though
they never again saw each other I'm the flesh
they wrote long and frequent letters telling of
their daily lives and discussing politics reli-
gion philosophy and other topics
In one OF Je1erson's letters occurred what
seems almost a prophecy Of something strange
10 come. The simultaneous movements IN
our correspondence" he wrote have been re-
as n the state Of the afr. or the state ~ the
times, or some other unknown cause PRODUCED
sympathetic effect on our mutual recollec
tions" Could II be that between these two
great minds there existed a sort OF mental
telepathy7 A. all events more touching IN
timacy OF patriotic souls was never beheld
In the fulness Of years and of honors DID these
two venerable patriarchs once friends. then
enemies and now again friends march IN con
cord down the path OF time toward day that
was 20 link their names yet closer In a glorious
immortality.
Eight years passed Jefferson was eighty.
three and Adams ninety, yet both retained the
full enjoyment ~ their faculties n WAS the
year 1926 the hftieth anniversary % the ma
tons birth. Throughout the land rreat prepa-
rations were making 20 observe the national
holiday. Party feeling was sunk IN common
love Of country. and the attention OF the pub
lie was universally turned toward these ven.
erable patriots who. with Chas Carroll NJ Gar.
roton. were the sole survivors ~ the sign
ers" Both men were In the feeblest of health.
and were aware that their end drew near. but
both desired 20 behold the glorious day; and
life. Ike Offering taper. prolonged itsaH In