"Publius" was the nom de plume of a staunch defender of the thoughts and policies of John Adams, as expressed in letters to the Boston press. Unfortunately, that is all I can recall about the name at this moment - the McCullough biography of Adams is currently on loan from the library in which I sit, and the name does not appear in the index to Ellis' Founding Brothers - so I cannot assert whether "Publius" was Adams himself or his son John Quincy.

Irony #1: The political philosophy and policies of the Federalists (the natural heirs of the Whigs), of whom Adams was the most vital if not the most vociferous or extreme (that notoriety belongs to Alexander Hamilton), most easily fit the ideals of the modern Liberal. Whereas the Anti-Federalists (personfied by Jefferson) and their "states rights" successors, would appear to belong to the modern Conservatives. Yet, the general populace would scarcely characterize Adams as a liberal or Jefferson as a conservative.

Such are the costs of generalization, labeling, and ignorance of change.

Irony #2: The other person on this board (as far as I know) most likely to recognize the historical origin of the nickname "Publius" is Phil - with whom I agree politically not a whit, but with whom I share an appreciation of John Adams that transcends politics 'of the moment'.

Such is the benefit of an open mind.

E'