UNIVERSITY COURIER.
13
ing throughout the length and breadth of the continent, then the monarchies of Europe became alarmed. Headed by England the "allied powers" began that series of bloody wars for the extirpation of democracy in France, which ended only when St. Helena received its lonely exile. This contest was watched with breathless interest by our countrymen, but with entirely different feelings. One party saw in the struggle of the French a struggle in behalf of the same principles for which we had fought, and thought that we should aid her by all means in our power. The other was alarmed at the anarchial tendencies the revolution had created and favored England and her allies.
At this critical crisis, when our relations with foreign countries had to be determined with the greatest care acuteness and foresight, Washington saw in the younger Adams a man of deep political sagacity, familiar with the languages and customs of foreign courts, one who would sustain the credit of the nation and carry out his policy of strict neutrality. Entering upon his duties at a time when all Europe was at war, he was surrounded by difficulties and embarrassments on every hand. How well he sustained the honor and dignity of our country, how well he resented every insult offered to her, how watchful his vigilance to advance our cause and secure for us "a decent respect among the nations of the earth," the archives of our country will amply testify. And how well his efforts were appreciated by the government is seen in the fact that at different times he was appointed minister to The Hague, Lisbon, Berlin, St. Petersburg and St. James.
His long continued foreign service and his position at the head of Monroe's Cabinet for eight years made him in every respect capable of filling that high position to which he was called. Entering upon the arduous duties of the Presidency he prosecuted them with all the diligence and assiduity for which he was noted. He endeavored to preserve peace at home and abroad; develop the internal resourses of the country; encourage domestic manufactures; increase the facility of intercourse between the different States, and in every way that a sincere desire for the advancement of the people could suggest, further the welfare and prosperity of the nation.
Leaving the Presidency full of years spent in the service of his country and blessed with an ample fortune, he determined to seek the quiet and rest of private life. But a far different fate awaited him. The brightest page of his already brilliant history was still to be written. Yielding to the call of duty, governed by no motive except a simple desire to serve his country and promote the well-being of his fellow men, he entered the Lower House of Congress. Here he was tried as never before. It was here that he endeavored to make our country in fact, as it was in name, "the land of the free" and "the home of the oppressed."
The most powerful man in the House, he began a masterly fight for the right of petition and against human slavery. It was in this struggle that his grand independence, his determination to do right against all odds, threats of expulsion and assassination, shone forth with a splendid lustre.
While John C. Calhoun in the Senate was battling for principles that he firmly believed to be true, daring to stake all upon those principles and be raised by their success or buried in their ruins if they failed; while other
statesmen were vacillating, striving with all their power to ride upon the popular wave. John Quincy Adams was striking hard and heavy blows for freedom, championing with all his great eloquence the right of the people to be heard by their representative when they chose to speak in condemnation of slavery, risking life, friends everything that his cause might be advanced.
On the 18th of May, 1836, the infamous "Gag Rule" was passed. By this action every resolution, memorial, or petition relating in any manner whatever to slavery without being printed or referred must be laid upon the table. At the opening of every succeeding session Mr. Adams moved that this rule be abolished.
One by one as the years went by the cohorts of slavery gave way before the incessant attacks of Adams and his colleagues, until in 1845 the resolution was rescinded, the freedom of debate and petition was restored, and Adams said, "God be praised, the seal is broken, the door is open."
As a fitting end to the glorious work of Mr. Adams' life nothing could be more sublime than his advocacy of the freedom of the "Amistad" slaves. Cinque and thirty other Africans had been stolen from their native land by a Spanish slaver, they had killed the captain and his crew, floated into the waters of the United States, when they were claimed by the President in behalf of the Spanish authorities. In the name of justice, without solicitation or the hope of reward, he pleaded for the freedom of those poor barbarian negroes who were so unjustly held in thralldom. With a halo of noble deeds, done in days gone by, clustering around him, he pleaded as he had never pleaded before. And he was successful. Cinque and Grabbo returned to their native home in Africa and told of the land where even the negro received justice. That was the grandest deed in the grand life of that grand man.
On the 22nd of February,1848,this great-hearted hero passed away. He had made his last fight for liberty. He saw her cause advancing and growing brighter and brighter, he saw humanity and progress coming hand in hand to the rescue,and perhaps in his last moments he saw the emancipation of the slaves, as with a smile on his lips he murmured "This is the last of earth, I am content."
"A soul supreme in each hard instance tried,
"A soul supreme in each hard instance tried, Above all pain, all passion and all pride, The rage of power, the blast of public breath, The lust of lucre and the dread of death."
LOCALS.
H. J. Rushmer has by his recent visit to New York secured by far the finest collection of fine diamonds, watches, clocks, and silver ware ever seen in this city, and while in the East took every advantage the market offered, and as a consequence, can offer to intending purchasers inducements which cannot be offered by any other house in the city.
Mr. Rushmer expects to sustain his well deserved reputation for honesty and fair dealing. Always carrying the largest stock and of the best goods. Parties wishing something nice in his line can surely be suited by him.
Since the arrival of the winter stock at Mrs. Gardner's the rush still increases. At this place you will find a special line of new and stylish beaver hats.