Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-23
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
TWO Ex-PREsIDENTs DIE JULY 4.

Joyous, painful and by sudden mad | strange transition to the American peo- pei was the Fourth of July, 1826-the | anniversary of the first half century of ! our national independence, and, as it | proved to be, the day on which the two chief founders of the republic passed away. This is one of the most remark able coincidences that has ever occurred in the history of nations.
 It was the 50th anniversary of Ameri- can independence and great preparations had been made in all parts of the union for the celebration. It was not possible to foresee the bitter outcome of the glori- ous occasion. In the personal and public career of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams there were many points of sini- laFity. Both were learned men and both able lawyers. Their homes were in wide ly different sections of the country, Mas saehusetts and Virginia, which at the time of the Revolution were the largest | and most powerful states and had lead in the political affairs of the times. Both men were members of the com 1 mittee chosen 70 prepare the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was the au- 1 thor of that noblest production of states 1 manship, while Adams was it's chief par 1 liamentary expositor and triumphant ad- vocate in the assembly of the migf / | 1 1901, when he was 61 years of age His was the peace and quiet of the citizen re- 1 spected and honored by all his country men. The quarter of century interven- ing before his death was more or less l uneventful.
 For several days before the memorable 50th Fourth of July he had been fast failing, though, in reply to an invitation to participate in the celebration of that t6av ha r,a{. sN %S.. fire of his best days.
 Being desired to furnish toast for the
 occasion, Adams gave '1ndependenee Forever~ He was asked if anything should be added to it. He immediately replied; Not a word :" This toast was drank at the celebration in Quincy about
 50 minutes before the departure of the
 venerable statesman from earth.
 On the morning of the Fourth, which
 was ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon, he was asked if
 he knew what day it was. "0h, yes,' he replied, it is the glorious Fourth of
 Juiy-God bless it t!-God bless you all r'
 In the course of the day he said: Tt is a great and glorious day" The last words he uttered were Jefferson survives r'
 But the sDtri< of Jefferson had already Eleft his body Among Adams palIbearers
 were Prof. Kirkland, Judge Story, Judge [
 throp.
 When Jefferson retired from the presi- dency he went to his beloved Monticello
 in Virginia, which, for the years that in- tervened before his death, was the mecca
 where assembled all the great men of the country. He was more democratic than
 John Adams. and naturally more sought
 after.
 In a letter written by Jefferson to Ad- jams in June, 1922, the Vfrginian said
 ''It is very long since I have written to
 you. My disabled wrist is now become SC
 stiff that I write slowly and with pain
 Yet it is due to mutual friendship to ask
 once in a while how we do? I have ever
 dreaded a doting old age. I ride daily
 but reading is my delight"
 Tn his reply to this letter, of which oniy a few extracts are given. Adams wrote Half an hour ago I received and this
 moment have heard read for the feurti time the best letter that was written bs
 an octogenarian. My sight is very dim
 hearing good enough, memory pool enough In wishing for your health ana . 1 happiness I am very selfish, for I hopt for more letters," etc
 This correspondence between the one, rival presidents was reDublished in ful
 in Europe, where it excited much com imendaton. Though Jefferson had beel some time falling in health, 1t was no ,, until July 1 that he was confined to hi ] ] bed On the Sd he began to sink. Nea the middle of the night he asked tn hour. and on being told it was 1 oeoel he expressed much joy as well as tn wish to behold the light of that day-In dependence day. His wish was gratified and he lived nearly an hour after tn , noon of the 50th anniversary of the inde y pendence of the nation.
 CMonday: The Bravery of Lydia Darrah.