Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-10-02
john Adams Anniversary Recalled.

JOHN Adams Anniversary Recalled.
The date of October 8 will have a special
meaning this year, as the approaching
celebration of George Washineton's bicen-
tenary turns the thought Of the country
back to our beginnings and to the men
who labored with George Washington in
the founding Of the nation. On that day
In October, 1735. was born John Adams,
second President of the United States and
the man whose influence made George
Washington Commander-in-Chief of the
Revolutionary forces.
John Adams is thus of historic promi-
hence for a double reason. The country
owes him deeply for what he himself did
directly to mold and construct our govern
ment. 1t owes him almost as much for
what he accomplished indirectly. by the
employment of his influence in putting
forward men even greater than himself. as
he did in the case of George Washington.
John Adams, we are told by the United
States George Washington Bicentennial
Commission. represented the fourth gener-
alton of a race of simple Massachusetts
farmers. Until the birth of this one of the
race. the Adamses were distinguished for
nothing but hard work. thrift. and sobriety.
With the appearance Of John Adams. the
family brought forth line of illustrious
men that made it a lasting model to
students of heredity.
At first the youthful John Adams thought
of entering the ministry. but later he
turned to the law. as permitting the prac-
tice of as great service to mankind. Even
while studying and practicing law in
modest way. the thinker and writer
appeared in young Adams. and the Massa-
chusetts press of his day began to contain
his vigorous announcements on public
policy among the Colonies.
While still an obscure attorney, he had
the good fortune to marry a remarkable
young woman. Abigail Smith. who became
an inspiring influence throughout their
long life together.
1t was John Adams resolutions against
the famous Stamp Act. written for the
people of Braintree. which was adopted by
the population of Massachusetts, as whole
Thus early he began his part in shaping
the popular philosophy which led to the
Revolution. Meanwhile he prospered at
the law. and soon was given such cases as
the defense of John Hancock against the
charge of smuggling.
With the historic Boston Tea Party"
John Adams was fred to his real labors in
behalf of the cause of independence.
Elected to the General Court. or Assembly.
of Massachusetts. he soon was made a
Massachusetts, Delegate to the first CONT
mental Congress in Philadelphia. He was
made member of the committee appointed
to petition King George for redress of
wrongs and the maintenance of friendly
relations.
In the second Continental Congress, in
ITS, he was among the first to believe
that Independence was inevitable and to
urge unity upon the Colonies, and it was
at this Congress that he nominated George
Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the
Revolutionary armies.
1t is a curious fact, forgotten by lay
readers of history. that John Adams was
appointed chief justice of Massachusetts at
this time. but was too busy with Colonial
affairs ever to sit on the bench.
By 1776. John Adams was an open and
stout contender for Independence. and did
much to prepare an opinion for a favorable
reception of the famous resolutions of
Richard Henry Lee which formed the basis
of the Declaration of Independence. 1t
was Adams who seconded Lees resolutions,
and the Congress promptly made him a
member of the committee 10 draft the great
Declaration. Jefferson wrote of him at the
time that he was pillar of support"
The other and later activities of Adams
are too numerous to mention in space
short of book length. He served on the
Revolutionary Board of War. went as COM
missioner to France. and later. in 1880,
was minister to Holland. After the Revolu-
ton was won, he helped to shape the treaty
of peace. and in 1855 was made minister
to England. In 1888 he came home to be
elected Vice President of the nation under
the new Constitution.
1t was this Vice President who discov-
cred the proverbial shelf-like nature OF the
a
it insignificant" A born debater. it irked
him to sit idle as merely presiding officer.
He escaped further obscurity by election
as our second President. His term was
clouded with many difficulties. chief of
them the difference with France which for
a time was so threatening that Adams was
moved a second time. to appoint George
Washington Commander-in-chief of the
American Army to be raised in case of
open conflict. Also differences with the
Hamilton faction led to a split in the Fed
eralst Party that was instrumental in
Adams defeat for reelection.
Incidentally, John Adams. second Presi-
dent, was the first occupant of the White
House, into which he moved before the
building was finished and while the new
Federal City" was chiefly forest and bog.
with its streets and avenues yet to be
opened.
At the end of a turbulent administration,
the subject of much criticism and contro-
versy. Adams moved back to his old home
in Braintree. Massachusetts,. and filed his
later years with writing of history and
memoirs. There. from turmoil of politics.
his old popularity and renown returned to
him. He lived to see his son John Quincy
Adams become the sixth President. and to
enjoy restoration of his old friendship
with Jefferson. At the great age of 81 he
died on the same day Of Jeffersons pass
Ing, and only a few hours afterward. It is
of lasting historic significance that the two
men left the scene OF their labors on July
4, just SO years after the signing of the great
document they had done SO much to write
and see adopted.