One point of difference always leads to others, wider and wider apart, as the rain-drop, shattered on the summit of the Great Divide, flows one half to the Atlantic the other half to the Pacific.  So, after the adoption of the Constitution, there was never any serious question of abrogating it, but two views arose as to its interpretation.  The Federals, in their endeavor to strengthen the national government, favored the liberal view, which was that anything the Constitution did not expressly forbid was permitted; while the Anti-Federals, anxious to preserve all the power possible to the several states, favored the strict view, which was that unless the Constitution expressly permitted a thing, it could not be done.  As there were many, many points upon which the Constitution was silent—­its framers being mere human beings and not all-wise intelligences—­it will be seen that these interpretations were as different as black and white.  It was this divergence, combined with another as to whether, in joining the Union, the several states had surrendered their sovereignty, which has persisted as the fundamental difference between the Republican and Democratic parties to the present day.

Adams was a Federalist, and his choice as the candidate of that party was due to the fact that Hamilton, its leader, was too unpopular with the people at large to stand any chance of election, more especially against such a man as Jefferson, who would be his opponent.  With Hamilton out of the way, the place plainly belonged to Adams by right of succession, and he was nominated.  He was aided by the fact that he had served as Vice-President during both of Washington’s administrations, and it was felt that he would be much more likely to carry out the policies of his distinguished predecessor than Jefferson, who had been opposed to Washington on many public questions.  Even at that, as has been said, he won by a majority of only three votes.

In a general way Adams did continue Washington’s policies, even retaining his cabinet.  But, while his attitude on national questions was, in the main, a wise one, he was so unwise and undignified in minor things, so consumed by petty jealousies, envies and contentions, that he made enemies instead of friends, and when, four years later, he was again the Federal candidate, he was easily beaten by Jefferson, and retired from the White House a soured and disappointed man, fleeing from the capital by night in order that he might not have to witness the inauguration of his successor.  To such depths had he been brought by colossal egotism.  In his earlier years, he had done distinguished service as a member of the Continental Congress, but his prestige never recovered from the effect of his conduct during his term as President, and his last years were passed in retirement.  By a singular coincidence, he and Jefferson died upon the same day, July 4, 1826.