JOHN QUINCY ADAMS Copyrighted1985
An original history By BERNARD VINCENT McMAHON
The winter of 1829 was severe even by New England standards but Louisa,
fearful of the newfangled steamboat her husband was taking to Washington,
opted for the old reliable stagecoach. A blizzard howled out of Canada and buried
her in Connecticut. She had to walk and crawl to the nearest town. John Quincy,
aged sixty-four, took his eat in Congress to cheers and applause from friends and
foes alike. If Sir Winston Churchill could declaim, "I am a child of Parliament,"
John Quincy could make the boast that he was a child of Congress, serving
seventeen years in the lower house and elected and re-elected eight times.
Writing to his son Charles: "Taught in the school of Cicero, I shall not desert in
my old age the republic I defended in my youth." Underneath all this lofty
idealism was the real reason, he was broke. Originally Statuary Hall in the Capital
was the chamber of the House of Representatives. The young guides still
demonstrate the vagaries of the acoustics by standing in the section then occupied
by his opponents and whispering words audible at Adams desk. He heard what
they were whispering behind his back.
The burning issue in the United States was slavery and Adams viewed it as the
great and foul stain upon the North American union. He agreed with Daniel
Webster who shouted: "Liberty and union, now and forever, one and insep-
arable."
Slaveowners rented out their charges like Hertz rents cars and Adams' family
contracted for their services. They could boast that they didn't own slaves: they
just rented them. As the country, particularly the free states populace, learned
that slavery existed in the District of Columbia petitions started to flow into
Congress demanding "the peculiar institution be abolished in the federal capital.
On the death of General Marquis de Lafayette in 1834 John Quincy was voted
the logical one to give the general's eulogy, France's chamber of deputies voted to
ay five million dollars to compensate American shipping for losses during the
rench Revolution but they balked at paying it. President Andrew Jackson
threatened war and Adams in Congress supported him. The government of
France paid up.
The south's ire was now aroused by the anti-slavery abolitionist petitions pouring
into Congress in increasing volumes. They countered with a harebrained reso-
lution, the infamous unconstitutional "gag rule" that blocked United States citizens
from petitioning their government, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Here is how it
read: "All petitions, memorials, resolutions, or papers, relating in any way, or to
any extent whatsoever, to the subject of slavery or the abolition of slavery, shall,
without either being printed or referred, be laid on the table, and that no further
action whatever shall be had thereon." May 26, 1836 the resolution was passed
by a vote 117 to 68. Congressman Adams said, 'I hold the (gag) resolution to be
in direct violation of th'e Constitution of the United States, of the rules of this
House, and of the right of my constituents." He was so outraged at this iegisla-i
tion one day he stayed debating at his desk for twenty four hours.
People in the Norm wno did not give one whit for or against slavery were aroused
by this assault on the Constitution. A deluge of anti-slavery petitions flooded
Conqress. Women's, missionary and charitable societies were the nucleous for an
abolition organization. Their husbands did not object when they took to the
raikoads for regional meetings; neither did the hotel keepers. The Mexican
government abolished slavery, including its province, or state, of Texas. Sam
Houston lead an army of slaveholders into the now free slave territory of Texas to
start a revolution freeing Texas from Mexico.
Slaveholder Andrew Jackson in 1836 asked Congress for an appropriation of a
million dollars to move the regular army to the Texas-American border. Adams
saw through Jackson's scheme, he spoke in the House: "Have we not seen
American citizens going from all parts of the country to carry on the war of this
province (Texas) against the government of Mexico? Who were those who fell at
Alamo? And who are now fighting under the command of the hero (Sam
Houston) of Texan fame? And have we not been called upon in this House, to
recognize Texan independence? It seems that General Gaines (American Regular
Army) considers this a war in defense of our Texans."
And he continued, "Was this an intention to conquer Texas, to reestablish that
slavery which has been abolished by the United-Mexican States? If that was the
case, and we were to be drawn into acknowledgment of their independence, and
then by that preliminary, by that acknowledgment, if we were upon their
application to admit Texas to become part of the United States, then the House
ought to be informed of it. ! shall be for no such war, nor for making any such
addition to our territory... I hopeCongress wiihake care to go in to no war for the
reestablishment of slavery where it has been abolished ... that they will not go into
war in behalf of 'our Texans' or 'our Texan neighbors' (American slaveholders
terms) and that they will go into no war with a foreign power, without cause other
than the acquisition of territory."
In 1836 two famous Americans died: Chief Justice John Marshall whose
landmark decisions particularly on the separation of powers shared by the
executive, legislative and the judicial branches of the American government, set a
pr,'cedent to this day. The second was the fourth president of the U.S., James
Madison. Again in Boston John Quincy gave the eulogy, lasting two and a half
hours.
The year prior 1835 an Englishman named Smithsonian had bequeathed to the
U.S. Government a large sum of money for the establishment in Washington of
an institution for the spreading of knowledge among men. Adams was appointed
head of the Congressional committee in charge of the funds. His greatest
contribution was his recommendation that the principal would be kept intact and
the interest used in perpetuating the institution.
The curse of the Adams fell on the congressman. He was financially broke. He
was saved from bankruptcy by a former White House employee, Antoine Guista,
who became a prosperous restauranteur. This generous man lent Adams five
thousand dollars. Inflation had used up all his financial reserves and the
slaveholders in Congress were not going to vote for raises for abolitionist
congressmen. At one point he had to borrow ten dollars from his niece for fare to
Quincy. he had to walk to work, lacking funds for taxi fares and finally his porch
collapsed due to neglect of repairs.
A ship filled with African slaves was sailing off New LondorL Conn. when the
captives broke their chains, mutinied and seized the ship. Sailing into New
London they were arrested. The abolition societies appealed to the U.S. Supreme
Court and engaged Adams as defense counsel. He argued the slaves were
freemen in Africa when they were captured, freed after they mutinied, so that
they are now free men not slaves. The court agreed, releasing the black men. The
slaveholders, angered at Adams, plotted to expel him from the House. They
introduced a resolution to this effect in Congress arguing their case for three!
days. In rebuttal Adams argued in his defense, taking six days, and asked for a
week's extension. His opponents, exhausted, dropped the resolution.
In 1843 accompanying his daughter to Saratoga Springs, New York for her
health and leaving her there, he continued on to Lake George, Montreal and-
Quebec, sailed up the St. Lawrence River on a steamboat. Returning, viewed
Niagara Falls, visited Buffalo and turned the returning journey into a triumph,
passing through Rochester, Auburn, Utica and Albany with great crowds along
the route. Most people never had seen an ex-president. Bowing to pressure in
October he accepted invitat!ons to tour Ohio, sailing on the Ohio Canal, visiting/
• Jefferson, Springfield. Dayton, Lebanon and Columbus. Arriving at Cincinnati
he officiated at a cornerstone laying.
On this trip a pretty woman kissed him and all the rest clamored to be kissed, an
innovation lasting to this day. In 1844 Congress voted to rescind The Gag Rule
and the right of petition was re-established but the damage was done. The
anti-slavery movement had gained a momentum that avalanched twenty years
later into the American Civil War.
Two days before his eightieth birthday he jogged to the old sycamore tree and
skinny dipped into the Potomac. Alarmed friends notified Louisa and she banned
this exercise. November 1846 the voters returned him to Congress. Walking in
Cambridge with an old friend. Dr. George Parkman. to see the new Harvard
medical facility John Quincy collapsed, suffering a mild stroke. Recuperating, he
wrote his last will on ten pages of foolscap.
His February 7, 1847 return to Congress was met with tumultuous applause, in
the House chamber. In the same year on July 26 the Adams celebrated their
fiftieth wedding anniversary, as did his father and mother in 1814. and his son
Charles in I879. As they say in New England the Adams are long livers. In
February of 1848 President Polk signed a peace treaty ending the Mexican War.
that old Adams had opposed from its inception. Looking up from his desk he saw
through aged eyes a giant of a man with an extremely homely face who upon
offering his hand said, "Mr. Adams, 1 am Abraham Lincoln from Illinois."
An army officer was introduced on the House floor and in a booming
paradeground voice said. "Gold has been discovered at a man named Sutter's
mill in California."
A resolution was later introduced to award medals for American officers and
men in the Mexican War. "Adams," the roll clerk called: "No!" the old man yelled.
Grasping his desk he fell to the floor. They carried him to a couch in the speaker's
office, reviving, he said, "Send for Henry Clay" who, crying, held his hand while
they rushed to get Louisa.
For two days he lay dying. His final words were: "This is the last of earth. I am
content." He died in the speaker's office Feb. 23, 1848. His son summoned, by
the new telegraph system, rushed to his side but was too late. The president
ordered all federal offices closed for two days, the flags at half staff, army officers
to wear crepe on their uniforms and on regimental colors. At dawn from every_
military installation thirteen artillery salutes were fired. In Washington every half
hour from sunrise to sunset a cannon boomed and at taps a national salute of
twenty nine guns echoed through the city.
Springfield
4-H news
This year's annual 4-H Short Course
was held again at LSU. Four members
of the Springfield Senior 4-H Club
were chosen to attend this year. They
were Mlchelle Harbison, Michelle
Landry, Greg Southworth, and Shana
Tantillo.
The members that placed in various
contests were Greg Southworth, Club
Reporter; Michelle Harbison, Con-
sumer Education. Participating in the
Clothing contest was Micheile Landry;
in Insect Identification, Shana Tantillo.
Greg Southworth was elected as the
Eastern Area Representative.
The 4-Hers stayed three days at LSU
with other 4-Hers from other schools all
over the state competing and partici-
pating in their particular projects. In
addition to participating in various
demonstrations and subject area
examinations, members enjoyed many
social activities.
Sheriff's Report
By CHUCK REED
BOATING P.CCIDENT
Five people suffered burns, one
moderate and the others minor, when
gasoline spilled in a 16-foot boat ignited
near Ponchatoula Beach Sunday,
according to sheriffs deputies.
According to reports by deputy Mike
Barron and reserve deputy B.W.
Murray Jr., the fire broke out at about
9:30 p.m. Sunday on the Tangipahoa
River. Tangi Ambulance took the five
burned people to Seventh Ward
Hospital.
Taken to the hospital were Trudy
Newman, 13; James Newman, 10;
Tammy Carter, 21; Linda Newman 37;
and Ruthie Cambre, 17. All but Linda
Newman was listed as minor burns,
while Linda suffered moderate burns to
her legs, according to hospital officials.
Ms. Cambreis from the Loranger area
and the rest were from the Hammond
and Ponchatoula area, according to
reports.
According to statements, refueling of
the motor boat resulted in gasoline
spilling along the bottom of the boat.
The gas ignited when the outboard
motor was started, victims told
deputies.
THEFT
Two adult teenagers and a 16-year-
old were arrested Sunday in connection
with the theft of money from a snowball
stand on the Old Baton Rouge Highway
at the Pumpkin Center Road, according
to deputies.
Booked in the case were: Carlon
Renell Brown. 19. 903 North Cherry
St.. Hammond and Gary Dukes, 25,
Calvery Road off the Old Baton Rouge
Highway, and the 16-year-old who lives
in the area of the stand. The two adults
were booked with being principals to the
theft and the juvenile with theft,
according to arresting deputy Roy
Allbritton and detective Mike Sticker.
About $50 was reportedly taken in the
Sunday theft, according to statements.
THEFT
Friday three bicycles were stolen from
the Pumpkin Center area. Two were
taken from a residence on Pumpkin
Center Road and the other was taken
from a residence on the Jerusalem
Road. all were unlocked. One was a
26-inch, 10-speed red bike: another a
12-speed red bike: and the third a 20""
red bike. according to the statements
from owners,
A 57-year-old Hammond man
suffered serious injury as a result of a
wreck on the Pumpkin Center Road
June 20 afternoon, according to deputies.
Lawrence J. Davis. 57, Rt. 1. Box
132-BC. Hammond was taken to
Seventh Ward Hospital by Acadian
Ambulance personnel after thc accident
which occurred at about 3:30 p.m.
Davis' compact pickup truck was
traveling south on Pumpkin Center
Road June 20 when another south-
bound vehicle, a five-ton-truck, driven
by Dennis E, Bates, 19, Denham
Springs made a left turn in front of the
Hammond man. According to reports,
Davis struck the left side of the larger
truck. Davis told deputy Hank Kinghe
was distracted and noticed the truck
turning from in front of him too late to
avoid the collision.
THE PONCHATOULA TIMES, JULY 4, 1985, SEC. B, pAGE
The very best way to
can your delicious garden tomatoes
Tomatoes are the most pop, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Massa- to within I/2 inch of top.
vegetable grown in home gardens, and chusetts. The raw pack method is being • Add l-teaspoon
canning is the perfect solution for
enjoying surplus tomatoes all year. says
Dr. Ruth Patrick. nutrition[st with the
Louisiana Cooperative Extension
Service.
Most vegetables freeze well. she says.
but not so with tomatoes. Besides.
canning saves valuable freezer space for
other foods.
It's easy to can tomatoes if you follow
simple recommended procedures, adds
Patrick• Tomatoes, like fruits, are high
in natural acids and may be safely
canned using the boiling water-bath
method. Heat supplied by the boiling
water is sufficient to destroy bacteria.
yeasts and mold which cause spoilage in
acid foods.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
this year continues the recommendation
that all tomatoes be packed boiling hot
in jars, then processed in the boiling
water-bath canner, In past years, most
people preferred to pack the raw
tomatoes in the jars, then process. Raw
pack was easy to do and gave a nice
canned product.
The new guidelines also call for a
longer time. However, the Louisiana
Cooperative Extension Service has
been recommending the longer time for
a number of years, notes the Extension
nutritionist.
These new USDAguidelines--to use
the hot pack method and process for a
longer time--are believed to be
important for better production against
spoilage in tomatoes and, under certain
conditions, botulism. The revised
instructions are based on research by
the USDA Eastern Regional Research
Center in Philadelphia and aaricultural
experrnent statbns at land-grant univetsit
discouraged until additional research
currently under way can be completed.
Step-by-Step Canning
• Check top of jars for nicks, cracks,
sharp edges. Wash thoroughly in hot,
soapy water and rinse. Leave in hot
water until ready to use, then invert on
a clean towel.
• Check lids to be sure sealing
compound is good and rings are not
bent or rusty. Follow manufacturer's
directions for using, but the general
procedure is to put lids in water, bring to
a simmering temperature and leave in
the hot water without boiling.
• Fill water bath canner half full of
water and heat. For easy peeling, have
a pan of boiling water for scalding
tomatoes.
• Select fresh, firm, red-ripe
tomatoes. Discard those with decayed
spots and cracks. Tomatoes that are too
ripe may not be acid enough to can
safely. Wash thoroughly and drain
enough for one canner load.
• To peel. dip a few tomatoes at a
time in boiling water for about one-half
minute. (Use a wire basket or cheese-
cloth bag for easy handling). After
scalding, put immediately in cold water.
• Cut out core. remove skins and
trim off any green or discolored
portions. If skins don't slip off easily.
either the tomatoes are not ripe enough
or they were not left in the boiling water
long enough.
• Cut tomatoes into quarters; put in
cooking pan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring to prevent
scorching.
• Boil 5 minutes.
• Fill hot iars with boiling tomatoes
salt to
quart, 1/2 teaspoon to a pint
Salt is not essential; it only
As an extra safety measure, add rill
acid, lemon juice or vinegar to the f
jar. Add V-teaspoon citric acid to ¢i
quart or 1/4 teaspoon to a pint, or =I
--e
1-tablespoon lemon juice to a quart or
teaspoons per pint. Citric add is avai
at most supermarkets or drug stores.
• Remove air bubbles; wipe seal=
edge and threads with a clean, p,
cloth, put on prepared lid and /ktded'l
band firmly, i Worl
• Immediately place the filled jar fly
a rack in the water-bath canner of b0m It is th,
water. A jar lifter is helpful. l=€oud to
• Add jars for a full canner. Do led e
let jars touch each other; they (
break. l'll'linc
• Add boiling water so that it is 11e mal
2 inches above the tops of the jars.htak
• Cover. When the water begins1/'
boil. start counting
Process quarts for 45 minutes;
35.
• When processing time is
remove jars immediately. Do
tighten rings; it might break the seal.
on folded towels away from draft
cool.
• When cooled for 12 to 24
test for a good seal. To test, ......
of lid. If dome is down and
move, the jar is sealed. |
• Remove rings, rinse, dry andl
away to use again Store jars in a c0O"
dry, dark place.
Dr. Patrick says to contact a
economist at the parish Extension
for more information on home
and freezing.
AAA issues Fourth of July fuel gauge report
It's been one year s]nce the state put
into effect its eight cents gasoline tax,
and Louisiana motorists are continuing
to feel the pinch at the pumps, says the
American Automobile Association.
According to AAA's annual fuel
gauge survey for the Fourth of July
weekend, motorists are paying an
average of $1.30 per gallon. Last year
at this time the average price per gallon
was $1.21, nine cents less.
At sixteen cents per gallon, Louisiana
motorists continue to pay higher state
taxes for gasoline than in most areas of
the country. "Only Washington, Minne-
sota and Connecticut have the same_ or
higher tax than LouiSiana at this time,"
says Cyndi Buras, director of public
affairs for AAA Louisiana.
There is a bit of relief for July 4 travelers.
According to AAA findings fuel prices
have apparently stabilized since the
Memorial Day Weekend. Before
Memorial Day, motorists experienced
increases averaging seven cents per
gallon.
This holiday period finds many areas
of the state, particularly St. Tammany
Parish and the Baton Rouge area,
reporting minor decreases.
Holiday travelers should have no
problem finding open stations in
Louisiana or across the nation.
than three-fourths of the
open for the long Fourth of
weekend.
Also travelers can still find
the pump at self-service stations.
cost per gallon at full service aisles
from $1.31 to $1.69 compared
$1.12 to $1.42 at self service lanes.
At this time shortages in leaded
are not expected due to the U.S.
mental Protection Agency mandate
gas producers to reduce the
content in fuel on July 1.
HOLIDAY INN
HAMMOND
Buffets are our Specialty
BREAKFAST BUFFET
Includes: Pastries, Juice Bar,
Fresh Fruit Bar, Assorted Cereals,
Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Donuts,
Patty Sausage, Bacon, Biscuits, Cirmann Rolls,
Grits and Muffins
$3.95 Adults $2.2,5 Children
Monday - Sunday
6:00 a.m. - 10.-00 a.m.
WEEKLY LUNCH BUFFET
Includes: Hot Soup and
Garden Fresh Salad Bar, Cheese
and Bread Board, 2 Entrees and
I Carved Meat, Veges, & Rolls
• Monday - Saturday
11.-00 a,m. - 2:00 p.m.
-SUNDAY LUNCHEON BUFFET
Includes: Garden Fresh
Salad Bar, Cheese
and Bread Board, Carved Lamb and
Roast Beef, Fried Catfish,
Fried Chicken, One other Entree, Veges,
& Rolls, also Dessert Bar
$5.95 Adults $2.95 Children
ll:O0 a.m. - 2.'00 p.m.
Bring your Church Bulletin
SPECIALTY EVENING BUFFETS
recieve a 10S discount
WEEKLY DINNER BUFFET
Includes: Hot Soup and
Garden Fresh Salad Bar, Cheese
and Bread Board, 2 Meat Entrees, and
Carved Roast Beef or Ham, Veges,
& Rolls
$6.95 Adults $3.50 Children
Sunday - Wednesday
5.'00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
THURSDAY NIGHT
BAR B-QUE BUFFET
Bar B-Que Ribs, Sausage & Chicken,
Corn on the Co, Ranch Style Potatoes,
Bar B-Que BaRed Beans, Plus Chefs
Choice of Additional Vegetables,
Soup and Salad Bar,
& Rolls
(Dessert Bar also included)
$7.95 Adults $3.50 Children (5-11)
No Charge for Children under 4
5:00 p.m. - 9".30 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT
SEAFOOD FEAST
Oysters Rockerfeller,
Catfish w/Hushpuppies, Baked Fish
Fried Oysters, Breaded Shrimp,
Boiled Shrimp, Creole Rice, Oyster on Half Shell
Boiled Crawfish
Assorted Southern Style Vegetables
Soup and Salad Bar, Home Baked Rolls
$11.95 Adults $4.95 Children (5-11)
No Charge for Children under 4
5:00 p.m. - 9"30 p.m.
Let us Cater Four Next Special Party.
For Details Call 8-dlei345-OSli6
'sOfar,
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