Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/288

 236 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS troversy under circumstances in which it could do no good. But his adversaries made the mistake of attributing his forbearance to dread of ill conse quences to himself a motive by which, it is safe to say, Mr. Adams was never influenced on any occasion whatever. So the thirteen gentlemen re turned to the attack. Mr. Adams then wrote out a full statement of the case, completely vindicating himself, and bringing forward more than enough evidence to justify any such suspicions as he had entertained and guardedly stated. After finishing this pamphlet he concluded not to issue it, but left it among his papers. It has been published by Prof. Henry Adams, in his &quot;Documents relating to New England Federalism,&quot; and is not only of great historical importance, but is one of the finest specimens of political writing to be found in the English language. Although now an ex-president, Mr. Adams did not long remain in private life. The greatest part of his career still lay before him. Owing to the mysterious disappearance of William Morgan, who had betrayed some of the secrets of the Masonic order, there was in some of the northern states a sudden and violent prejudice against the Free masons and secret societies in general. An &quot;anti- mason party&quot; was formed, and by its votes Mr. Adams was, in 1831, elected to congress, where he remained, representing the same district of Massa-