If Mr. Adams had been permitted to follow the bent of his own feelings at that time—­if he had continued in the retirement he had so anxiously sought as a rest from the toils of half a century—­the brightest page of his wonderful history would have remained forever unwritten.  He would have been remembered as a discreet and trusty diplomatist, an able statesman, a successful politician, a capable President, and an honest and honorable man!  This would, indeed, have been a measure of renown with which most men would have been content, and which few of the most fortunate sons of earth can ever attain.  He was abundantly satisfied with it.  He asked for nothing more—­he expected nothing more this side the grave.  But it was not enough!  Fame was wreathing brighter garlands, a more worthy chaplet, for his brow.  A higher, nobler task was before him, than any enterprize which had claimed his attention.  His long and distinguished career—­his varied and invaluable experience—­had been but a preparation to enable him to enter upon the real work of life for which he was raised up.

The world did not yet know John Quincy Adams.  Long as he had been before the public, the mass had thus far failed to read him aright.  Hitherto circumstances had placed him in collision with aspiring men.  He stood in their way to station and power.  There was a motive to conceal his virtues and magnify his faults.  He had never received from his opposers the smallest share of credit really due to him for patriotism, self-devotion, and purity of purpose.  Even his most devoted friends did not fully appreciate these qualities in him.  During his long public service, he had ever been an object of hatred and vituperation to a class of minds utterly incapable of estimating his talents or comprehending his high principles of action.  In the heat of political struggles, no abuse, no defamation, were too great to heap upon him.  Misrepresentation, duplicity, malignity, did their worst.  Did he utter a patriotic sentiment, it was charged to hypocrisy and political cunning.  Did he do a noble deed, worthy to be recorded in letters of gold—­sacrificing party predilections and friendship to support the interest of his country, and uphold the reputation and dignity of its Government—­it was attributed to a wretched pandering for the emoluments of office.  Did he endeavor to exercise the powers entrusted to him as President in such a manner as to preserve peace at home and abroad, develop the internal resources of the nation, improve facilities for transportation and travel, protect and encourage the industry of the country, and in every department promote the permanent prosperity and welfare of the people—­it was allowed to be nothing more than the arts of an intriguer, seeking a re-election to the Presidency.  Yea, it was declared in advance, that, “if his administration should be as pure as the angels in heaven,” it should be overthrown.  Did he exhibit the plain simplicity of a true republican in his dress and manners, and economy in all his expenditures, it was attributed to parsimony and meanness!  A majority of his countrymen had been deceived as to his principles and character, and sacrificed him politically on the altar of prejudice and party spirit.