United States Founding Fathers

Samuel Adams

Quotes

Accountability

  1. "[Divine] Revelation assures us that "Righteousness exalteth a nation" [Proverbs 14:34]. Communities are dealt with in this world by the wise and just Ruler of the Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general character." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1907), Vol. III, p. 286, to John Scollay on April 30, 1776.

Amending the Constitution

  1. "[T]he people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it. And the federal Constitution, according to the mode prescribed therein, has already undergone such amendments in several parts of it as from experience has been judged necessary." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 388, to the Legislature of Massachusetts on January 19, 1796.

Centralized Power

  1. "I mean ... to let you know how deeply I am impressed with a sense of the importance of Amendments; that the good people may clearly see the distinction - for there is a distinction - between the federal powers vested in Congress and the sovereign authority belonging to the several States, which is the Palladium [the protection] of the private and personal rights of the citizens." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. III, p. 273, to Richard Henry Lee on August 24, 1789; see also Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 334. 45

Character of Men in Positions of Power and Trust

  1. "He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard of his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections. ... [P]rivate and public vices are in reality ... connected. ... Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable characters. The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. III, pp. 236-237, to James Warren on November 4, 1775.

Christian Involvement in Civil Government

  1. "[E]very citizen will see - and I hope be deeply impressed with a sense of it - how exceedingly important it is to himself, and how intimately the welfare of his children is connected with it, that those who are to have a share in making as well as in judging and executing the laws should be men of singular wisdom and integrity." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. IV, p. 252, in the Boston Gazette on April 2, 1781.

Christianity

  1. "[I] have a thorough contempt for all men ... who appear to be the irreclaimable enemies of religion." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. II, p. 381, to William Checkley on December 14, 1772.

  2. "There are two great objects which I think should engage the attention of patriots here, and which appear to me to involve everything else - to preserve entire our political liberties, and to support our national faith." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams

Culture of Selfcenteredness, Entertainment, and Luxury

  1. " ... that inundation of levity, vanity, luxury dissipation, and indeed vice of every kind which I am informed threatens that country which has heretofore stood with unexampled firmness in the cause of liberty and virtue. This torrent must be stemmed." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. IV, pp. 123-124, Letter to James Warren February 12, 1779

  2. "Luxury and Extravagance are in my opinion totally destructive of those virtues which are necessary for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of the people." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. IV, pp. 67-68

  3. "Gracious Heaven! Defend us from vanity, folly, and the inordinate love of money." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. IV, p. 76, Letter to James Warren February 12, 1779

  4. "I am affraid there is more pomp and parade than is consistent with those sober republican principles, ... Why should this new era be introduced with entertainments expensive and tending to dissipate the minds of the people? Does it become us to lead the people to such public diversions as promote superfluity of dress and ornament, when it is as much as they can bear to support the expense of cloathing a naked army? It was asked in the reign of Charles the Second of England, 'How shall we turn the minds of the people from an attention to their liberties?' The answer was, 'by making them extravagant, luxurious, [and] effeminate.' ... " - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. IV, pp. 236-238, Letter to John Scollay December 30, 1780

Defending against Despotism

  1. "I have written to our friends to provide themselves without delay with arms and ammunition, get well instructed in the military art, embody themselves and prepare a complete set of rules that they may be ready in case they are called to defend themselves against the violent attacks of despotism." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. III, pp. 162-163, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. II, pp. 237-239

Duty

  1. "It is our duty at all hazards to preserve the public liberty. Righteous heaven will graciously smile on every manly and rational attempt to secure that best of all His gifts to man, from the ravishing hand of lawless and brutal power." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. III, p. 93, Letter to James Warren March 31, 1774

  2. "The man who is conscientiously doing his duty will ever be protected by that righteous and all pwerful Being, and when he has finished his work he will receive an ample reward. I am not more convinced of any thing than that it is my duty, to oppose to the utmost of my ability the designs of those who would enslave my country; and with God's assistance I am resolved to oppose them till their designs are defeated or I am called to quit the sage of life." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1906), Vol. III, p. 349-350, Jannuary 29,1777

Education

  1. "Let ... statesmen and patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the age by ... educating their little boys and girls ... [and] leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams and John Adams, "Four Letters: Being an Interesting Correspondence Between Those Eminently Distinguished Characters, John Adams, Late President of the United States; and Samuel Adams, Late Governor of Massachusetts. On the Important Subject of Government", (Boston: Adams and Rhoades, 1802), pp. 9-10.

  2. "As piety, religion and morality have a happy influence on the minds of men, in their public as well as private transactions, you will not think it unseasonable, although I have frequently done it, to bring to your remembrance the great importance of encouraging our University, town schools, and other seminaries of education, that our children and youth while they are engaged in the pursuit of useful science, may have their minds impressed with a strong sense of the duties they owe to their God." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 401, to the Legislature of Massachusetts on January 27, 1797.

  3. "If we continue to be a happy people that happiness must be assured by the enacting and executing of the reasonable and wise laws expressed in the plainest language and by establishing such modes of education as tend to inculcate in the minds of youth the feelings and habits of "piety, religion, and morality." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 371, to the Legislature of Massachusetts on January 16, 1795.

  4. "[E]ducation ... leads the youth beyond mere outside show [and] will impress their minds with a profound reverence of the Deity. ... It will excite in them a just regard to Divine revelation." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. III, p. 327, to the Legislature of Massachusetts on January 17, 1794.

  5. "... of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear, and love of the Deity, and universal phylanthropy; and in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country - of instructiog them in the art of self government, without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies great or small - in short of leading them in the study, and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system, which will happily tend to subdue the trubulent passions of men, and introduce that golden age beautifully described in figurative language; when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the Leopard lie down with the kid - the cow, and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox - none shall then hurt, or destroy; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, pp. 342-343 Letter to John Adams October 4, 1790

Enemies

  1. "I have long been convinced that our enemies have made it an object, to eradicate from the minds of the people in general a sense of true religion and virtue, in hopes therby the more easily to carry their point of enslaving them. Indeed my friend, this is a subject so important in my mind, that I know not how to leave it. Revelation assures us that 'Righteousness exalteth a Nation' - communities are dealt with in this world by the wise and just Ruler of the Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general character. The diminution of public virtue is usually attended with that of public happiness, and the public liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals" - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. III, p. 286, April 30, 1776

Faith in Jesus Christ

  1. "Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to that Almighty Being who gave it and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, "Last Will and Testament", William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams". (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. III, p. 379

  2. "... speedily bringing on that holy and happy period, when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all the people willingly bow to the sceptre of him who is the Prince of Peace." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, pp. 405-407, May 4,1797

Family

  1. "[T]he importance of piety and religion; of industry and frugality; of prudence, economy, regularity and an even government; all ... are essential to the well-being of a family." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 225, to Thomas Wells on November 22, 1780.

Freedom of the Press

  1. "There is nothing so fretting and vexatious, nothing so justly terrible to tyrants, and their tools and abettors, as a free press." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams

Government

  1. "[T]he only true basis of all government [is] the laws of God and nature. For government is an ordinance of Heaven, designed by the all benevolent Creator." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. I, p. 269, Samuel Adams in the Boston Gazette of December 19, 1768, as ¡°Vindex.¡±

  2. "The security of right and property, is the great end of government." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. I, p. 157

Happiness

  1. "I cannot help thinking that this union among the Colonies and warmth of affection, can be attributed to nothing less than the agency of the supreme Being. If we believe that He superintends and directs the great affairs of empires, we have reason to expect the restoration and establishment of the public liberties, unless by our own misconduct we have rendered ourselves unworthy of it; for he certainly wills the happiness of those of his creatures who deserve it, and without public liberty, we cannot be happy." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, p. 199

  2. "Religion has been and I hope will continue to be the ornament of New England. While they place their confidence in God they will not fail to be a happy people." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, p. 412

Independence

  1. "The Supreme Ruler of the Universe, having been pleased in the course of His providence to establish the independence of the United States of America ... we ought to be led by religious feelings of gratitude and to walk before Him in all humility according to His most holy law. ... That with true repentance and contrition of heart we may unitedly implore the forgiveness of our sins through the merits of Jesus Christ and humbly supplicate our heavenly Father." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "By the Governor. A Proclamation for a Day of Public Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer" (Printed at the State Press: Adams and Larkin, 1795).

  2. "May God give us wisdom, fortitude, and perseverance, and every other virtue necessary for us to maintain that independence which we have asserted!" - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, p. 313

Judicial Tyranny

  1. "[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation [support], they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Boston Gazette, January 20, 1772, Samuel Adams writing as ¡°Candidus".

Justice

  1. "The first point of justice ... consists in piety; nothing certainly being so great a debt upon us as to render to the Creator and Preserver those acknowledgments which are due to Him for our being and the hourly protection He affords us." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 225, to Thomas Wells on November 22, 1780

Liberty

  1. "Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1905), Vol. IV, p. 74, to John Trumbull on October 16, 1778.

  2. " ... no people will tamely surrender their liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and virtue is preserved. On the contrary, when people are universally ignorant, and debauched in their manners, they will sink under their own weight without the aid of foreign invaders." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1905), Vol. III, pp. 236-237, Letter to James Warren

Limited Power and Separation of Power in Government

  1. "In all good governments, the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary powers are confined within the limits of their respective departments. If therefore it should be found that the constitutional rights of our federal and local governments should on either side be infringed, or that either of the departments aforesaid should interfere with another, it will, if continued, essentially alter the Constitution, and may, in time, ... be productive of such convulsions as may shake the political ground upon which we now happily stand." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, pp. 388-389, to the Legislature of Massachuetts on January 19, 1796.

Natural Law

  1. "In the supposed state of nature, all men are equally bound by the laws of nature, or to speak more properly, the laws of the Creator." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 356, to the Legislature of Massachusetts on January 17, 1794.

Manners

  1. "Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. I, p. 22, quoting from a political essay by Samuel Adams published in The Public Advertiser, 1748.

  2. "I hope the depravity of manners is not so great as to exclude all hopes of children's rising up and serving God and their country in the room of their fathers. May heaven grant us a time of reformation." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. IV, p. 65

Military

  1. "May every citizen in the army and in the country have a proper sense of the Deity upon his mind and an impression of the declaration recorded in the Bible, ¡°Him that honoreth me I will honor, but he that despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed¡± [I Samuel 2:30]." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 189, Samuel Adams article signed ¡°Vindex¡± in Boston Gazette on June 12, 1780.

Money

  1. "I am afraid the cry of too many [is] 'Get money, money still. And let virtue follow it if she will!' The inordinate love of gain, will make a shameful alteration in the character of those who have heretofore sacrificed every enjoyment to the love of their country. He is the best patriot who stems the torrent of vice, because that is the most destructive enemy of his country." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, "Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings, 43, February 1910, pp. 332-333, Letter to Samuel Phillips Savage, July 3, 1778

Patriotism

  1. "For true patriots to be silent, is dangerous." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams

Peace

  1. "If you carefully fulfill the various duties of life, from a principle of obedience to your heavenly Father, you shall enjoy that peace which the world cannot give nor take away. ... you cannot gratify me so much, as by seeking most earnestly, the favor of Him who made and supports you - who will supply you with whatever his infinite wisdom sees best for you in this world, and above all, who has given us his Son to purchase for us the reward of eternal life." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904),, Vol. IV, p. 201

Principles

  1. "A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1905), Vol. IV, p. 124, to James Warren on February 12, 1779.

Respect

  1. "We shall be respected in England exactly in proportion to the firmness and strength of our opposition." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, 1774, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1905), Vol. III, p. 102

Rights

  1. "The Rights of the Colonists as Christians. These may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams", William V. Wells, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. I, p. 504.

Security

  1. "[A] state of indolence, inattention, and security ... is forever the forerunner of slavery." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. II, p. 287, in the Boston Gazette on December 9, 1771.

  2. "Our independence, I think, is secured. Whether America shall long preserve her freedom or not will depend on her virtue." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 104, December 21, 1778.

  3. "Religion in a family is at once its brightest ornament and its best security." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 225, Letter to Thomas Wells November 22, 1780

Socialism and Communism

  1. "The Utopian schemes of leveling, and a community of goods, are as visionary and impracticable, as those which vest all property in the Crown, are arbitrary, despotic, and in our government unconstitutional." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. I, p. 135

Source of strength to stand against wrong, even in the face of death

  1. "Sir, I trust I have long since made my peace with the King of kings. No personal consideration shall induce me to abandon the righteous causse of my Country. Tell governor Gage it is the advice of Samuel Adams to him no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated people." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. II, p. 193

Success

  1. "We shall succeed if we are virtuous. I am infinitely more apprehensive of the contagion of vice than the power of all other enemies. It is the disgrace of human nature that in most countries the people are so debauched as to be utterly unable to defend or enjoy their liberty." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904),, Vol. III, p. 403

Thankfulness

  1. "We owe our unceasing gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, who safely carried us through our arduous struggle for freedom." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams>, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, pp. 377-378, June 3, 1795

Thomas Paine's "Age of Reason"

  1. "[W]hen I heard you had turned your mind to a defence of infidelity, I felt myself much astonished and more grieved that you had attempted a measure so injurious to the feelings and so repugnant to the true interest of so great a part of the citizens of the United States. The people of New England, if you will allow me to use a Scripture phrase, are fast returning to their first love. Will you excite among them the spirit of angry controversy at a time when they are hastening to amity and peace? I am told that some of our newspapers have announced your intention to publish an additional pamphlet upon the principles of your Age of Reason. Do you think that your pen, or the pen of any other man, can unchristianize the mass of our citizens, or have you hopes of converting a few of them to assist you in so bad a cause?" - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Services of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865), Vol. III, pp. 372-373, to Thomas Paine on November 30, 1802.

Trust in God

  1. "Let us awaken then, and evince a different spirit, a spirit that shall inspire the people with confidence in themselves and in us, a spirit that will encourage them to persevere in this glorious struggle, until their rights and liberties shall be established on a rock. We have proclaimed to the world our determination "to die freemen, rather than to live slaves". We have appealed to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and in Heaven we have placed our trust. Numerous have been the manifestations of God's providence in sustaining us. In the gloomy period of adversity, we have had "our cloud by day and pillar of fire by night". We have been reduced to distress, and the arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely in humble confidence on Him who is mighty to save. Good tidings will soon arrive. We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams

  2. "There is One above us who will take exemplary vengeance for every insult upon His majesty. You know that the cause of America is just. You know that she contends for that freedom to which all men are entitled - that she contends against oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity. The blood of the innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to decide between you and us. And we pray that, in the doubtful scale of battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our oppressors." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 38, to the Earl of Carlisle and Others on July 16, 1778.

  3. "We, therefore, the Congress of the United States of America, do solemnly declare and proclaim that ... [w]e appeal to the God who searcheth the hearts of men for the rectitude of our intentions; and in His holy presence declare that, as we are not moved by any light or hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through every possible change of fortune we will adhere to this our determination." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 86, ¡°Manifesto of the Continental Congress¡± on October 30, 1778.

  4. "I am so fully satisfied in the justice of our cause, that I can confidently as well as devoutly pray, that the righteous Disposer of all things would succeed our enterprises. If he suffers us to be defeated in any or all of them I shall believe it to be for the most wise and gracious purposes and shall heartily acquiesce in the Divine disposal." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, p. 228, Letter to wife Elizabeth on October 20, 1775.

  5. "Righteous Heaven will surely smile on a cause so righteous as ours is, and our country, if it does its duty will see an end to its oppressions. Whether I shall live to rejoyce with the friends of liberty and virtue, my fellow laborers in the common cause, is a matter of no consequencee. I will endeavor by God's assistance, to act my little part well - to approve myself to Him, and trust every thing which concerns me to his all gracious providence." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, pp. 239-240, Letter to wife Elizabeth on November 7, 1775.

Tyranny

  1. "Is it not High Time for the People of this Country explicitly to declare, whether they will be Freemen or Slaves? It is an important Question which ought to be decided. It concerns us more than any Thing in this Life. The Salvation of our Souls is interested in the Event: For wherever Tyranny is establish'd, Immorality of every Kind comes in like a Torrent. It is in the interest of Tyrants to reduce the people to Ignorance and Vice. For they cannot live in any Country where Virtue and Knowledge prevail. The Religion and public liberty of a People are intimately connected; their Interests are interwoven, they cannot subsist separately; and therefore they rise and fall together. For this Reason, it is always observable, that those who are combined to destroy the People's Liberties, practice every Art to poison their Morals. How greatly then does it concern us, at all Events, to put a Stop to the Progress of Tyranny." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams>, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904),, Vol. II, p. 336

Vice

  1. "I conjure you and every man of influence by example and by all means to stem the torrent of vice." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams>, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, p. 305, July 27, 1776

  2. "If heaven punishes communities for their vices, how sore must be the punishment of that community who think the rights of human nature not worth struggling for and patiently submit to tyranny. I will rely upon it that New England will never incur the curse of heaven for neglecting to defend her liberties." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams>, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. III, pp. 328-329, December 19, 1776

Voting

  1. "Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual - or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904),, Vol. IV, p. 253, in the Boston Gazette on April 2, 1781

  2. "[He] may then reflect, each one on his own integrity, and appeal to the Monitor within his breast, that he has not trifled with the sacred trust reposed in him by God and his country - that he has not prostituted his honor and conscience to please a friend or a patron." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904), Vol. IV, p. 256, in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781. 59

Worldly Church Pastors

  1. "I cannot but hope, when you consider how indifferent too many of the clergy are to our just and righteous cause, that some of them are the adulators of our oppressors, and even some of the best of them are extremely cautious of recommending (at least in their public performances), the rights of their country to the protection of heaven, lest they should give offence to the little gods on earth, you will judge it quite necessary that we should assert [and] vindicate our rights as Christians as well as Men and Subjects." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams, "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam¡¯s Sons, 1904),, Vol. II, p. 349, Letter to Elbridge Gerry November 14, 1772

    2. Party of 1776 - "No King but King Jesus" - www.partyof1776.net