His Last Toast
It was the last day of June, 1826. In five days, it would be the Fourth of July—the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams had been one of the committee to frame the Declaration.
A neighbour was sitting with John Adams in his home in Quincy—that used to be Braintree. Ninety and one years old was John Adams!
The neighbour was to be orator at the annual banquet on the Fourth of July. He had called to ask John Adams to compose the toast.
“Independence for ever!” said John Adams.
But would he not wish to add something further to the toast, asked the neighbour.
“Not a word,” replied John Adams.
The Fourth of July dawned. The great Patriot lay dying. At the setting of the sun, those who stood beside him heard him whisper:—“Thomas Jefferson still lives!”
As the sun sank out of sight, a loud cheering came from the village. It was the shouts of the people at the words of his toast:—“Independence for ever!”
The cheering echoed through the room where John Adams was. But before its last sounds could die away, the great Patriot had passed into history and eternity—on the Fourth of July,—on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence!