'8(9 



at the trial of working oxen, or elsewhere at the trial of 

 farm implements, but especially the former, [he was in some 

 sense our spokesman. 



Whenever and wherever off-hand uU&'ances were necessary, 

 and wherever lightning rapidity in deciding and acting was 

 necessary, there was Col. Adams always, and there he some- 

 times seemed himself, almost a host. If the gifted editor of 

 the Newburyport Herald can say, as he does, in an article of 

 elegant, discriminating eulogy, that to him. Col. Adams "al- 

 ways seemed to be more than one-half of a Newbury town 

 meeting," shall not many of us concede that on some occa- 

 sions he seemed himself almost one-half of the whole show 

 on our gala days ? 



Though of an ardent temperament, Col. Adams could not be 

 said to he.Jitful or spasmodic in any degree. On the contrary, 

 he was firm, persevering and consistent with himself. When 

 Jiis purposes were once formed, he was almost as immovable 

 as a rock. While, however, he was frank, bold and intrepid 

 in defending the constitution and the by-laws of the Society, 

 yet was he cautious in providing against obstacles that might 

 at some future time create embarrassment. 



Is it not remarkable that, taking as he did a leading part in 

 all the operations of the Society and the Board for near €fty 

 years, his measures, sometimes prevailing and sometimes being 

 overthrown — I say, is it not remarkable that he was uniform- 

 ly successful in commending himself to the members as a man 

 of capital 'g^ood nature and capital good sense, of far-reaching 

 sagacity, and what is more, of incorruptihle integrity ! You 

 knew him, Mr. President, longer and better than I did ; but 

 did we not all see, from his deportment, his general bearing 

 and his temper, that while there was sometimes a flavor of salt, 

 yet there was no hitterness in him at all; no malice lived long, 

 or could live in that large heart ; nothing, I may say, but 

 kind feelings beamed from his benevolent eye. Take him, in 

 short, for all in all, one is almost ready to ask, when shall 

 we look upon his like again ? 

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