The Washington herald., 1915-11-30
HISTORY BUILDERS.
"A Visit with Charles Francis Adams.
Written Expressly for The Washington Herald
BY DIR. r. J. EDwAEDs.

Il
Charles Francis Adams. who was our
Minister to Great Britain at the time Of
the Civil war. should perhaps be num-
bered as chief of the american diplo-
/ mats who at any time represented us In
another country and who was candidate
! for Vice President in 1888 upon the tick
ct at the head OF which was the name Of
Martin Van Buren,, and who would have
been candidate for President In 1913 had
those who originated the Liberal Repub-
lican movement been permitted to have
their way-spoke to me. in 1871. Of his
| view OF the future of the United States.
His comments were at the moment Of
| more Importance to me than was his
personality. And as the years have pass
| ed and I recall that afternoon at Quincy,
Mass, the personality of the man and
the rich traditions associated with the
| library in which he entertained me COM
pletely overshadow the wise and tri-
: umphant view which he took OF the fu-
ture OF the United States.
| Mr.. Adams came into the library about
| twenty minutes after the servant had
ushered me into the room with q kindly
message from Mr.. Adams. He was then
at luncheon. the message said. and as
soon as he had finished he would be glad
| to see me.
] When the door opened and Mr.. Adams
appeared on the threshold It seemed to
me almost as though the figure OF his
| grandfather, who was second President
of the United States. had stepped forth
from its frame and as though the pic
| tured lips were about to speak There
was a portrait Of his father. John Quincy
Adams, in the room. as well as one Of
John Adams It was the grandfather
whom Charles Francis Adams resembled
physically. There was the same severe.
almost NJ To
nance, the same searching glance, all the
more impressive because IL was fixed
steadily upon me. The eyes were large
and lnquiring. He was a small man,
and although in his movements he was
not especially graceful. yet there were
dignity and a suggestion of refinement
and intellectual aristocracy which were
Of more avail in estimating the man than
any gracefulness of manner could have
been. I observed his wonderfully express
sive lips, which seemed to belle the weird
solemnity OF his eyes. His hands were
beautifully shaped and the faint tint OF
blue which marked the line of the veins
contrasted pleasingly with the whiteness
OF his skin.
Mr.. Adams seemed to At in perfectly
with the furniture OF the room, which
was of a somewhat antique style ana
may have been used by his grandfather.
He spoke in a low tone of soice. slowly
and with perfect enunCiation He look
ed steadily at me. not in such manner as
to embarrass me. but as though he were
anxious to have me understand all that
he was about to say. for I was TO COM
muniCate the message he gave to me
to Charles 4. Dana. He spoke OF the
contest arising from the disputed vote
for President in 1876. he having supported
I inferred from what he said-Samuel
]. Tilden. He spoke with much earnest
ness and sorrow of the decision whereby
Gov. Hayes OF Ohio. the Republican
candidate for President. was declared
to have been elected by a majority OF
one in the electoral college Then. as
though desiring not to be misunderstood
he said: 81 am persuaded that the ac-
tion OF the American people in yielding
tacit and peaceful assent to the decision
whereby Gov. Hayes became President is
to he accepted as proof OF the perrna-
nenCe of American Institutions and the
loyalty OF the people OF the United States
to government by law. properly ex-
pressed. or to aTbitrament such as that
OF the electoral commission which de-
clared in favor of Gov. Hayes"
Copyright. 1915. 10y z J. Edwards All rights n
ssryciD
Tomorrow Or. Edwards will tell Of
westinghouse and the SiN-foot Gauge"