Adams surmised that it was owing to the indifference to his success of the leaders of the old Federal party, and remarked on the occasion, "This is among the thousand proofs how large a portion of Federalism is a mere fair-weather principle, too weak to overcome a shower of rain.
Josiah Quincy critiques the lack of commitment among Federalists, suggesting their principles are only strong in favorable conditions.
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It prolongs life itself, and enlarges the sphere of existence.
But the first principles of morals and politics, which have long been settled, acquire the authority of self-evident truths, which, when first discussed, may have been vehemently and portentously contested.
The power of the present Congress to enact laws essential to the welfare of the people has been struck with apoplexy by the executive hand.
If there is a Bostonian who ever sailed from his own harbor for distant lands, or returned to it from them, without feelings, at the sight of the Blue Hills, which he is unable to express, his heart is differently constituted from mine.
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