Happy 271st Birthday President Adams

Today is the 271st birthday of John Adams, 2nd President of the USA. Without his efforts the 2nd Continental Congress would never have declared independence. Last July I wrote 2 articles that featured him, 1 was a short bio, John Adams, the 2nd was about the Declaration of Independence & his role in it, Continental Congress declares independence. So, today, rather than repeat what I said before I will share some quotes from his writings to give you an insight into the workings of his mind. (There are many sources on the web for his quotes, but 1 of the best is the Massachusetts Historical Society's site Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. This site has not only the quotes but copies of the actual documents to view. Another is a Yale website John Adams Papers that features writings from his presidential years. A 3rd good source is Wikiquote - John Adams. I also used Mark's Quotes - John Adams)

John Adams would call his wife Abigail Smith Adams his dearest friend. He was seperated from her more than he ever wished from about 1775 t0 1784. She was his greatest advisor, his foil at times &, without her love, support & encouragement he would have never accomplished all he did. She was the 2nd 1st Lady.

On Government:

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other. " Letter to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts - 11 October 1798

"We ought to consider what is the end of government before we determine which is the best form. Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and moral philosophers will agree that the happiness of the individual is the end of man....All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue. " The Foundation of Government A letter to George Wythe - April 1776

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, they may change their rulers and the forms of government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty." letter to Zabdiel Adams - 21 June 1776

“The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and the attributes of God.” Letter to Thomas Jefferson - 28 June 1813

On the Declaration of Independence:

"Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony "that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do." You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell'd Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days." Letter to Abigail Adams pg 2- 3 July 1776

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. " 2nd Letter to Abigail Adams pg 3 - 3 July 1776

About the Presidents to follow him in living in the Presidential Mansion (White House):

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof." Letter to Abigail Adams pg 2 - 2 November 1800

On Being President:

"No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it. He will make one man ungrateful, and a hundred men his enemies, for every office he can bestow." Letter to Josiah Quincy about his son John Quincy being elected president - 14 February 1825

On Raising His Children:

"Cultivate their Minds, inspire their little Hearts, raise their Wishes. Fix their Attention upon great and glorious Objects, root out every little Thing, weed out every Meanness, make them great and manly. Teach them to scorn Injustice, Ingratitude, Cowardice, and Falshood. Let them revere nothing but Religion, Morality and Liberty." Letter to Abigail Adams pg 3 - 15 April 1776

"I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Painting and Poetry Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine" Letter to Abigail Adams pg 2 - 12 May 1780 (Paris)

Other Quotes:

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence" Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials - December 1770

"Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society." Letter to J.H. Tiffany - 31 March 1819