The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-06-27
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lives" Thus encouraged Rush addressed to
the two fellow-laborers in the cause of free
dom eloquent appeal to bedew their let
tiers of reconciliation with tears of affection
and JOY"
The hopes of the peacemaker were realized.
Although Adams answered the appeal in
facetious and somewhat deprecatory letter, he
ended with half promise to comply with
Rushs wishes. Taking as excuse the send
ing Of some specimens Of New England home
spun, he wrote friendly letter to 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 to write
an answer that In part was as follows
"a letter from you calls up recollections
very dear to my mind. 1t carries me back to
the times when, beset with difficulties and
dangers, we were felow-laborers in the same
cause, struggling for what is most valuable
to man, his right of self-government Labor
ing always at the same oar, with some wave
ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us, and
yet passing harmless under our bark, we knew
not how, we rode through the storm with heart
and hand, and made happy port.
"Of the signers of the Declaration Of indie
pendence, see now living not more than half
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 year possession
l have ninety miles distant, performing the
winter journey on horseback. / walk little,
however, single mile being too much for me-
and live in the midst of my grandchildren.
one of whom has lately promoted me to .sa a
greatgrandfather have heard with pleasure
that you also retain good health, and 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
tisms and of details Of your health your hab-
its, occupations and enjoyments should have
the pleasure of knowing that in the race OF
life you do not keep, in its physical decline.
the same distance ahead of me which you have
done in political honors and achievements
Thenceforward no cloud was ever allowed to
come between them. Both had wrongs to for
give and forget, but they did it nobly Though.
they never again saw each other in the flesh.
they wrote long and frequent letters, telling OF
their daily lives and discussing politics, reli-
gion philosophy and other topics.
In Of Jefferson's letters occurred what
seems almost a prophecy of something strange
to come. 'TEe simultaneous movements In
our correspondence" he wrote, have been re-
markable on several occasions 1t would seem
If the state Of the air, or the state Of the
sympathetic effect on our mutual recollec-
tons" Could Il be that between these two
great minds there existed sort of mental
telepathy? AZ all events a more touching ns
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 rcw again friends, march in con-
cord down tho path of time toward day that
was to link Their names yet closer in glorious
Immortality.
Eight years passed. Jefferson was eighty
three and Adams ninety. yet both retained the
full enjoyment OF their faculties. It was the
year 1925. the fftieth anniversary OF the ma
tion's birth. Throughout the land great prepa-
rations were making to 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
cradle patriots who. with Chas Carroll of Car
rol1ton, were the sole survivors of the Sign
ers." Both men were in the feeblest Of health.
and were aware that their end drew near. but
both desired to behold the glorious day: and
life, like fittering taper, prolonged itself In