Evening star., 1937-07-04

departed on his journey TO enjoy the
everlasting rest prepared for thoke
who use their talents to the acceptance
Of their Master.
H is already benumbed faculties,
rotsed by the trumpet's clang and
cannon's roar Of the day of jubilee, he
inquired. OF those around his bed, the
cause Of these signs Of rejoicing, and
was informed that it was In honor OF
the Fourth Of july. He answered land
these words were his LAST, 1t is .
great and glorious day
Fifty years ago John Adams spoke
freely and confidently within the walls
OF Congress upon the independence of
his country, and such was his boldness,
eloQuence and argument that the
wavering were fixed. the timid encour-
aged and AL were resolved TO support
IL on the pledge Of their fortunes and
sacred honor. In this hour Of terror,
and distress, and darkness. his genius
penetrated the gloom, and, rapt into
future times, he foretold the coming
glories Of his country-and, rare felic-
ity-he WAS suffered to witness at the
extent Of half hundred years, the
verification OF his prophecy.
He was born ON the 18th Of Octo-
Der, l735: graduated 1855, commenced
the practice Of the law 1859 and con-
tinued sedulously engaged IN his pro-
iession until l714, when his reputation
for talents, Independence and Roman
energy caused the public to demand
his services. ."
John Adams believed In law and
order and tried to obey it himself, and
he gave . good example of this. in this
city, on January 40. 1901. when the
Treasury Building was on fire. by TAX
ing his place in line and passing the
dre buckets to and from the burning
building. = service every citizen was
expected 10 render before FIRE hose
came into use.
IT IS very likely that the people OF
washington, through their Mayor,
r. c. Weightman. received about the
last OF the letters written by these two
great patriots. They were in reply to
an invitation extended them on June
IA, 1895. to Attend the nftieth ami
versary OF American independence. A
similar letter WAS also sent TO Charles
Carroll Of Carrollton, the only other
survivor at the time Of those who
signed the Declaration. Their replies
follow:
Quincy, June ~. 1926
"R. c. Weightman. ESQ, Chair
man Jr
Sir: Col. House Of the United States
Army, now stationed at Fort Inde-
pendenoe in my neishborhood, has ia
vored me with 4 call, and communi-
Gated your very polite letter, desirins
him to offer me An escort to Washing
ton in order to celebrate with you tn
approaching fiftieth anniversary o.
our national independence.
Il feel very grateful for this mar
of distinguished and respectful atten
tion on the part OF the citizens Of tn
City Of Washington, which the preseI
state of my health forbids me to in
dulee the hope of participating, onl
with my best wishes for the increasir
prosperity of your city and the cor
slant health OF its inhabitants.
Il am, sir, with much respect, yc
friend and humble servant.
y. ADAMS"
MR.. JEFFERSON said in part:
Monticello. June "A, 1876
Respected Sir: The kind invitatic
received from you, on the part {
the citizens Of the City Of washinc-
ton. to be present with them at the
celebration of the fftieth anniversar,
, Of American independence, as one OF
| the surviving signers Of an instrument
pregnant with our own and the fate
Of the world, is most nattering to my
self, and heightened by the honorable
accompaniment proposed for the COM
fort OF such q journey. 1t adds sen
sibly to the sufferings OF sickness to
be deprived by 1t Of a personal par
ticipation In the rejoicings Of that day;
but acquiescence is duty under cir
cumstances not placed among those we
are permitted to control 80
| II will ask permission here 10 ex-
press the pleasure with which should
have met my ancient neighbors Of the
City of Washington and its vicinities
with whom I passed so many years of
a pleasing social intercourse-an IN
tercourse which 30 much relieved the
anxieties of the public cares, and left
impressions 80 deeply engraved in my
affections as never to be forgotten.
Witt - nA~et that Ill health forhds
me the gratiflcarso1 OF an acceptance,
be pleased to receive for yourself. and
those for whom you write, the ass,lr-
ance of my highest respect and
friendly attachments.
"TH. JEFFERSON.
Mr.. Carroll, who was the last sur.
vivor OF the signers. replied:
| "Doughoragen Manor,
June II. 1926.
"sir: l WAS this day favored with
your letter Of the lAth inst.
II am much obliged - the commit
tee for their invitation to attend on
the fourth Of next month the celebra-
ton Of the flftieth anniversary d
American independence. In the me.
tropolis OF the United States. HAvinl
received . similar invitation (r5x tn
city Of New York, and having declined
IT. 1 cannot with propriety attend thl
celebration at washington.
Accept, sir, my thanks for the sen.
timents you have expressed to me II
your letter.
II remain, with great respect, sir
your most humble servant.
"CH. CARROLL.
I "Of CArroilton.