In  consequence  of  the  general  concurrence  of  opinion
among  the  candidates  with  reference  to  protection,  it  was
not  expected  during  the  canvass  that  the  election  would
have  any  special  bearing  upon  it.     And  it  did  not,  in  con-


184  HISTORY   OF   THE    PROTECTIVE   TARIFF.
sequence  of  the  general  belief  that,  no  matter  which  one
of  the  candidates  was  elected,  the  protective  principle
would  be  maintained  and  carried  to  whatsoever  extent  the
interests  of  the  country,  and  the  necessity  for  additional
development  of  its  natural  resources,  should  require.
The  election  of  Mr.  Adams  by  the  House  of  Repre-
sentatives—  after  the  failure  to  elect  by  the  electoral
college  —  gave  rise  to  an  exceedingly  fierce  and  angry  con-
test between  the  friends  of  General  Jackson  and  the  sup-
porters of  the  former.  But  as  this  did  not  involve  the
policy  of  protection  in  any  sense,  Mr.  Adams'  administra-
tion was  left,  without  opposition,  to  carry  out  the  meas-
ures established  under  Mr.  Monroe.  The  principle  of
protection  by  specific  and  discriminating  duties  was  con-
sidered, on  all  hands,  as  permanently  settled.  The  only
question  likely  to  arise  was  that  involving  the  increase  of
duties  as,  from  time  to  time,  this  might  become  necessary.
