But yesterday, he seemed one who embodied Life to the utmost. With the assured step of one whom nothing can frighten or surprise, he walked our earth as on granite. Suddenly, the granite grew more unsubstantial than a bubble, and he dropped beyond sight into the Eternal Silence. Happy we who had such a friend! Happy the American Republic which bore such a son! _William Roscoe Thayer_ (_Condensed_) OCTOBER 30 JOHN ADAMS THE SON OF LIBERTY SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES _I have passed the Rubicon: swim or sink, live or die, survive or perish with my Country, is my unalterable determination._ JOHN ADAMS INDEPENDENCE DAY _I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival._ _It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty._ _It ought to be solemnized with pomp, and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, tend illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, for ever more._ JOHN ADAMS JOHN ADAMS was born in Braintree, or Quincy, Massachusetts, October 30, 1735 Was a member of the Committee that framed the Declaration of Independence; and he signed the Declaration Was Commissioner to France, 1778 Was Ambassador to England, 1785 Became Second President of the United States, 1796 He died on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July, 1826 A SON OF LIBERTY There was no loftier genius nor purer Patriot during the struggle for Independence, than John Adams. He was born at Braintree--now a part of Quincy--Massachusetts. He was descended from Henry Adams who came to America during the reign of Charles the First. On his mother’s side, he was descended from John Alden, the Pilgrim Father who came over in the _Mayflower_. Thus, from both sides of his house, John Adams inherited staunch, fearless, English blood and love of Independence. He went to school in Braintree, and later graduated from Harvard University. After which he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He married Abigail Smith of Weymouth, Massachusetts. They made their home in Boston. It is not possible here to tell all that John Adams did for America. He was an ardent Patriot, a Son of Liberty, serving the country at the risk of his life. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was a member of the Committee appointed to frame the Declaration of Independence. He signed the Declaration. He was sent abroad on foreign missions. He was elected Vice-President, and afterward called to be second President of the United States. He lived to see his son, John Quincy Adams, made sixth President of the United States. He died on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, at the great age of ninety-one. _Benson J. Lossing and Other Sources_ THE ADAMS FAMILY