XVIII Dr. Kirkland’s Discourse in Commemoration of 
The portions of their principles and actions, most subject to 
different estimation by Americans, are those which appeared 
when they were at the head of two contending parties. These 
topics I hold it unnecessary and improper to treat. Must we re- 
frain from paying an acknowledgment to the illustrious dead, unless 
we will consent at the same time to bring them into conflict with 
each other, and with fellow-citizens; unless we will give their 
faults, if faults we think they had, for their character, and are 
ready to rekindle the party or personal acrimony, which opposing 
views and exasperated feelings once produced? On this point 
what is required by the law of propriety, of prudence, of charity, 
of common humanity, has been stated with precision; namely, 
“that the acts about which differences exist, as practical questions, 
were canvassed when the measures which they regarded were 
acted upon and adopted; and, as belonging to history, the time 
has not come for their consideration.” 
Turrpty. We now come to the intellectual endowments 
and acquisitions of the great men we propose to honour. 
Mr. Adams had superior native talents, cultivated and exer- 
cised by habitual reading, reflection, and observation ; a judgment 
perspicacious and comprehensive, seeing effects in their causes 
with prophetic discernment; and his powers of reasoning, con- 
vincing, and persuading enabled him to write and speak with 
commanding influence. 
Mr. Adams’s various knowledge and wide range of reading 
are well understood. 
For many years he was precluded by studies of the first 
necessity from much attention to the sciences. ‘ When,” 
