American Independence by Samuel Adams

Orations of American Orators: ""

An excerpt taken from American Independence by Samuel Adams

Delivered at the State House, in Philadelphia, August 1, 1776

From the day on which an accomodation takes place between England and America, on any other terms than independent States, I shall DATE the RUIN of this country. A politic minister will study to lull us into security, by granting us the full extent of our petitions.

The warm sunshine of influence would melt down the virtue, which the violence of the storm rendered more firm and unyielding. In a state of tranquillity, wealth and luxury, our descendents would FORGET the arts of war, and the noble activity and zeal which made their ancestors invincible.

Every art of corruption would be employed to loosen the bond of union which renders our assistance formidable. When the spirit of liberty which now animates our hearts and gives success to our arms is extinct, our numbers will accelerate our RUIN, and render us easier victims to Tyranny.

Ye abandoned minions of an infatuated ministry, if peradventure any yet among us! - Remember that a Warren and Montgomery are numbered among the dead. Contemplate the mangled bodies of our countrymen and then say What should be the reward of such sacrifices?

Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood, and hunt us from the face of the earth?

If we love WEALTH better than LIBERTY, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of FREEDOM - GO from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands that feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and MAY posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.

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Quotes from Samual Adams

1. The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.
   
   
2. The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.
   
   
3. Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty.
   
   
4. Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.
   
   
5. It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
   
   
6. Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason.
   
   
7. How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of WORDS!