John Quincy Adams
(July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848)
6th President of the United States
(March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829)

was an American lawyer, diplomat, politician, and President of the United States (March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829). His party affiliations were Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Whig. Adams was the son of U.S. President John Adams, and Abigail Adams. He is most famous as a diplomat involved in many international negotiations, and for formulating the Monroe Doctrine. As president he proposed a grand program of modernization and educational advancement, but was unable to get it through Congress. Late in life as a Congressman he was a leading opponent of the Slave Power, arguing that if a civil war ever broke out the president could abolish slavery by using his war powers, a policy followed by Abraham Lincoln in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other. 1789

She goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. 1821