Evening star., 1935-10-30
John Adams.

The bicentenary OF the birth OF John
Adams, second President Of the United
States. today brings back from unde-
served obscurity a figure Of far greater
and truer attraction than the people at
large seem to realize. Perhaps it is
because the period to which he particu-
larly belonged was overrich in distinctive
personalities. but. be the cause what 1t
may, it is unfortunate that SO substantial
and useful a character as his should be
forgotten.
Adams was one of the master builders
of the Republic. His contribution to the
elevation of the American Colonies into
the first self-governing federation in the
world was inestimably notable. He repre-
sented the yeoman element of the popu-
lation and it was his purpose and func-
ton to weave their theology into the
elemental fabric of Western civilization.
The success of his efforts from 1883,
when he was admitted to the Boston bar,
until July 4, 1926, when he died at Quincy,
is manifest in the unlabeled monuments
which he left in the basic institutions of
his country.
His name is indelibly associated with
the Declaration of independence, a doc
ument which reflects his mind as it does
none other Of its authors. As Jefferson
said, he was the pillar of its support on
the floor of Congress. its ablest advocate
and defender against the multifarious
assaults it encountered" Still earlier, by
moving the appointment of George Wash
ington as commander in chief of the
Continental forces, he had taken the
earliest primary step toward national
union. In both those vitality significant
regards he proved his claim to be remem-
bered as an architect of stable, organized
and durable freedom.
But he also earned the gratitude Of
posterity by his services abroad. AS the
initial envoy to Britain after Yorktown
he established the mode or fashion Of
American diplomacy in Europe. He SYM
bolized the fundamental tenet of mo
entanglements" in the face of constant
temptation to compromise for temporary
advantage. Then, returning home after
a decade of grueling labor under foreign
skies, he took up the duties of Vice Presi-
dent at a moment when a less unselfish
man would have demanded opportunity
fnr rl Tx, %t,Nf
likewise, he set an example which his
successors generally have adopted.
The story of his career as Chief Ex-
ecutive is marred by his struggle to pre-
serve existing principles against the
Vaccinations of Alexander Hamilton
and his pro-British friends on the one
Jefferson and his pro-French followers
on the other. It would have been easy
to cater to either group, but the
result would have been war and sub
serviency; and Adams would not stoop
to such unworthy expedients. OF course,
he paid for his integrity with his po-
litical life and reputation.
Yet be did not fail in his major OBJ
jective. Instead. he achieved an ever
lasting victory. He preserved as well as
helped to make the United States. And
he lived to see his son formulate the
Monroe Doctrine-a policy which de-
termined for all time the position of
America among the nations of the earth.
Moreover, it was his privilege to know be-
fore he passed from the human scene
that his choice of John Marshall for the
Supreme Court had been abundantly
wise.
To Washingtonians Adams should be
especially dear. From beginning to end,
as the record shows, he was an un-
wavering apostle Of the truth that tax
alton without representation is tyranny"
For that, If for nothing else, he should be
immortal.