e Republican and
Democratic parties to the present day.

Adams was a Federalist, and his choice as the candidate of that party
was due to the fact that Hamilton, its leader, was too unpopular with
the people at large to stand any chance of election, more especially
against such a man as Jefferson, who would be his opponent. With
Hamilton out of the way, the place plainly belonged to Adams by right of
succession, and he was nominated. He was aided by the fact that he had
served as Vice-President during both of Washington's administrations,
and it was felt that he would be much more likely to carry out the
policies of his distinguished predecessor than Jefferson, who had been
opposed to Washington on many public questions. Even at that, as has
been said, he won by a majority of only three votes.

In a general way Adams did continue Washington's policies, even
retaining his cabinet. But, while his attitude on national questions
was, in the main, a wise one, he was so unwise and undignified in minor
things, so consumed by petty jealousies, envies and contentions, that he
made enemies instead of friends, and when, four years later, he was
again the Federal candidate, he was easily beaten by Jefferson, and
retired from the White House a soured and disappointed man,
fleeing from the capital by night in order that he might not have to
witness the inauguration of his successor. To such depths had he been
brought by colossal egotism. In his earlier years, he had done
distinguished service as a member of the Continental Congress, but his
prestige never recovered from the effect of his conduct during his term
as President, and his last years were passed in retirement. By a
singular coincidence, he and Jefferson died upon the same day, July 4,
1826.

Thomas Jefferson, whose influence is perhaps more generally acknowledged
in the life of the Republic of to-day than that of any other man of his
time, and whose name, Washington's apart, is oftenest on men's lips, was
born in Virginia in 1743, graduated from William and Mary College,
studied law, and took a prominent part in the agitation preceding the
Revolution. Early in his life, owing to various influences, he began
forming those ideas of simplicity and equality which had such an
influence over his later life, and over the great party of which he was
the founder. His temperament was what we call "artistic"; that is, he
loved books and music and architecture, and the things which