It fell furiously, and
quite without discrimination, upon the President's great scheme of
national improvements, professing to see in it evidence of an
insatiable desire for "concentration." In the discussion of a proposed
amendment to the Constitution providing for direct election of the
President by the people it was constantly assumed and frequently
stated that Adams had no moral right to the position which he
occupied. The President's decision to send delegates to the Panama
Congress of 1826 raised a storm of acrimonious debate and brought the
Administration's enemies into closer unison. To cap the climax, Adams
was solemnly charged with abuse of the federal patronage, and in the
Senate six bills for the remedy of the President's pernicious
practices were brought in by Benton in a single batch! Adams was able
and honest, but he got no credit from his opponents for these
qualities. He, in turn, displayed little magnanimity; and in refusing
to shape his policies and methods to meet the conditions under which
he had to work, he fell short of the highest statesmanship.
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