Adams was indispensable during the buildup to the revolution. He was an awful President. He has arguably done more to weaken the Republic through his appointment of Marshall as Chief Justice and the likes of Marbury during his 11th hour packing of the courts after his loss to Jefferson. His Alien and Sedition Acts also demonstrate his disdain for the Constitution. He and Abigale were tunnel visionaries who destroyed the lives of most of their children, John Quincy included.
TSubsequent Presidents have failed to pick up on that customary right of the President to fire judges at will.
That's a shame too.
His principles were wonderful. As you say; visionary.
I love his quotes.
How about this one:
“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.”
or this one:
“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”
Or one just for this weekend, that he wrote on the 2nd, the very day the declaration was brought forth:
...”The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. —
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
But have you read his letters to his wife?