he refused to recognize in the federal Constitution restrictions which
would prevent the national authorities from fulfilling this function
in the highest degree. He urged not only the building of roads and
canals but the establishment of a national university, the support of
observatories, "the light-houses of the skies," and the exploration of
the interior and of the far northwestern parts of the country. He
advocated heavy protective duties on goods imported from abroad, and
asked Congress to pass laws not alone for the betterment of
agriculture, manufactures, and trade but for the "encouragement of the
mechanic and of the elegant arts, the advancement of literature, and
the progress of the sciences, ornamental and profound." He thought
that the public lands should be sold at the highest prices they would
bring and that the money should be used by the Government to promote
the general welfare. He had no doubt of either the power or the duty
of the Government to maintain a national bank.

Since the War of 1812 the Republicans, with whom Adams had been
numbered, had inclined strongly toward a liberal construction of the
Constitution, but none had gone to the limits marked out in this
program. Besides, a strong reaction was now setting in. The
President's recommendations were received in some quarters with
astonishment, in some rather with amusement. Nowhere were they
regarded, in their entirety, with favor. Even Clay--spokesman of
nationalism though he was--could not follow his chief in his
untrammeled flights. Men still widely believed that, the National
Government ought to spend money freely on highways, canals, and other
improvements. But by his bold avowals Adams characteristically threw
away support for both himself and his cause; and the era of federal
initiative and management was thus hastened toward its close.