He was concerned with a man’s competence, not his political affiliation.
Adams proposed a program to strengthen the nation and bind it more closely together. He advocated using federal funds for new canals, highways, harbor improvements, a stronger navy, military schools, and a national university. States’ rights advocates in Congress opposed the federal government’s assuming these responsibilities and refused to support the president. His request for funds to promote the arts and sciences, specifically to support scientific research and to build astronomical observatories, was especially criticized. Adams was far ahead of his time in believing that the federal government should finance projects that would serve and benefit the people and the nation as a whole.
However,
Adams was also hindered by his cold and aloof personality. He did not enjoy mingling with crowds. He and his wife did only as much entertaining and receiving of guests as was strictly required of them. Their son Charles Francis Adams noted: “I never saw a family which had so little of the associating disposition.”
Adams was not concerned solely with political and diplomatic matters. He had long been interested in scientific research, and mainly through his efforts the bequest of British chemist James Smithson was used to establish the Smithsonian Institution.
Adams proposed a program to strengthen the nation and bind it more closely together. He advocated using federal funds for new canals, highways, harbor improvements, a stronger navy, military schools, and a national university. States’ rights advocates in Congress opposed the federal government’s assuming these responsibilities and refused to support the president. His request for funds to promote the arts and sciences, specifically to support scientific research and to build astronomical observatories, was especially criticized. Adams was far ahead of his time in believing that the federal government should finance projects that would serve and benefit the people and the nation as a whole.
However,
Adams was also hindered by his cold and aloof personality. He did not enjoy mingling with crowds. He and his wife did only as much entertaining and receiving of guests as was strictly required of them. Their son Charles Francis Adams noted: “I never saw a family which had so little of the associating disposition.”
Adams was not concerned solely with political and diplomatic matters. He had long been interested in scientific research, and mainly through his efforts the bequest of British chemist James Smithson was used to establish the Smithsonian Institution.