The spoilsmen argued and fumed. The editor of an administration
newspaper warmly told the President that in consequence of his policy
he would himself be removed as soon as the term for which he had been
elected had expired. But entreaties and threats were alike of no
avail. Even Clay could not get the removal of a naval officer guilty
of unbecoming conduct. In his zeal for nonpartizanship Adams fairly
leaned backwards, with the result that incompetents were shielded and
the offices were left in the hands of men who, in a very large number
of cases, were openly hostile to the President and to his policies.
"Less possessed of your confidence in advance than any of my
predecessors," wrote Adams in his first message to Congress, "I am
deeply conscious of the prospect that I shall stand more and oftener
in need of your indulgence." In the principles and measures which he
urged upon the legislative branch, none the less, he showed small
regard for moderation or expediency. He defined the object of
government to be the improvement of the condition of the people, and
he refused to recognize in the federal Constitution restrictions which
would prevent the national authorities from fulfilling this function
in the highest degree.
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