The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-31

could any corrupt him. He was pos
sessed with the instinct of agitation; led
the people, not the leaders: cared not
TOT place. but only for power; showed
master of means. self-containment, a
capacity for timely and telling speech
that marked him a statesman, though
ne loved the rough ways of a peoples
government and preferred the fierce
democracy of the town meeting to the
sober dignity of senates. Like an eagle
In his high building and strength of auda-
cious flight. but In instinct and habit a
bird of the storm. Not overnice what he
dld, not too sCrupulous what he devised
ne was yet not selfish, loved the prin-
ciples he had given his life to. and spent
himself without limit to see them tri-
umph.
Another Kind OF Adams.
John Adams. his cousin. was of a very
dl1erent mold: younger man by thir-
teen years: no man of the people bur
with a taste rather for the exclusive
claims of education and breeding: self
resardiul: thought too calculating; toe
quick-witted TO be patient with dull men.
too self-conscious to be at case with
great ones: and yet pubIic-spirited with
a. and generous in action il not ir
Judgment; of great powers If only he
could manage TO use them without jeaI-
ousy.
Samuel Adams thought only of his end,
not of himself: seldom spoke of himself
indeed; seemed a sort of subtle engine
Tor the peoples business. John Adams
thought OF himself always and Vet
mastered himself to play a great part
with the nobility of man Of genius if
not with the grace of man Of modesty
and self-forgetful devotion For the
time he could even hold hack with his
willy cousin. resign leadership in the
Congress to Virginia. and act in all
things the wise part OF those who fol
low.
4 Situation Full of Peril.
IT was a circumstance full Of peril thai
the delegates of the several colonies
should at such a junCtUre he strangers
to one another, and provincials all. no.
where bred to continental affairs Only
since the passage of the stamp act had
they taken any thought for each other.
There was no assurance that even she
best leaders of a colony could rise to
the statesman's view and concert meas
ures to insure the peace Of an empire
Rising lawyers like John Adams. brusque
planters like Col Harrison, welI-to-du
merchants like Thomas Miffiin. might
bring all honesty and good intention to
the task and yet miserably fail. A pro-
vincial law practice, the easy asccndency
of provincial country gentleman. the
narrow round of provincial trade. might
afford capable men opportunity 10 be-
come enlightened citizens. but hardly
fitted them to be statesmen.
DeIegntcI become Acquainted.
The real first business of the dele
gates was to become acquainted. and
to learn how to live in the foreign
parts to which most of them had come.
There was a continual round of enter
tIinment in the hospitable town. there
fore. universal exchange of courte-
sizes. rush of visiting and dining. a
flow OF excellent wine. a rich album
dance of good cheer, such as for a
while made the occasion seem one of
festivity rather than of anxious coun-
sell
Many of the delegates had come to
town week or more before the date
set for the congress, and had settled
TO an acquaintance before it was time
to affect an organization: but the gen
tlemen from Maryland and Virginia.
more familiar with the journey. ar
rived almost upon the day.
Make Good Impression.
They made an instant impression
upon their new colleagues. John
ADAMS promptly declared them the
most spirited and consistent OF any"
and deemed Mr.. Lee particularly "A
mastery man" Joseph Hawley's pre-
diction was fulfilled. The Virginia
and. indeed all the Southern delegates.
appear like men of Importance" said
Silas Deane. Il never met. nor scarcely
had an idea. OF meeting with men OF
such firmness. sensibility. spirit and
thorough knowledge of the Interests
of America" Mr.. Lynch. of South
Carolina, though he wore the manu-
facture of this country" and was In
all things plain. sensible. above cere-
mOny." seemed to Mr.. Deane to carry
with him more force in his very ap-
pearance than most powdered folks IN
their conversation.
Tomorrow Washington Make,
nm InNcsfign tim.