The CONSOLIDATION of the American Republic--the crowning act--occupied forty years, reaching from 1789 to 1829.

During that period, John Quincy Adams participated continually in public affairs, and ultimately became the principal actor.
The new Government was purely an experiment.

In opposition to the fixed habits of mankind, it established suffrage practically universal, and representation so perfect that not one Legislative House only, but both Houses; not legislative officers only, but all officers, executive, ministerial, and even judicial, were directly or indirectly elected by the people.

The longest term of the senatorial trust was but six years, and the shortest only two, and even the tenure of the executive power was only four years.

This Government, betraying so much popular jealousy, was invested with only special and limited sovereignty.