Patriot, Leader, Statesman, first on the list to be hanged by the British, it turns out that Samuel Adams was also a seer who could see into the future…
In a letter to James Warren on 25 March 1771, he wrote of the GOP and Conservative Establishments thusly [re-paragraphing mine]:
If the People are at present hushed into Silence, is it not a sort of sullen Silence, which is far from indicating your Conclusion, that the glorious Spirit of Liberty is vanquished and left without hope but in miracles.
It is the Effect of a mistaken Prudence, which springs from Indolence or Cowardice or Hypocricy or I know not what, in those who should point out to them the constitutional Methods of Opposition to arbitrary Power. Too many are afraid to appear for the publick Liberty, and would fain flatter themselves that their Pusillanimity is true Prudence.
For the sake of their own Ease or their own Safety, they preach the People into paltry Ideas of Moderation: But in perilous times like these, I cannot conceive of Prudence without Fortitude; and the Man who is not resolved to encounter and overcome Difficulties when the Liberty of his Country is threatened, no more deserves the Character of a Patriot, than an other does that of a Soldier who flies from his Standard.
I expect that many who to gain the popular applause have bore the name of Whigs, will adore the rising Sun: They will fawn and flatter and even lick the Dust of their Masters feet [BOB: Hello, Mitch!, Hello, Kevin! et. al.]: But you and I acknowledge no Master; and I trust there are more than seven Thousand who will scorn to bow the Knee of Servility.
One hopes there are.
Mr. Adams continues with a warning to us:
I join with you in resolving to persevere with all the little Strength we have and preserve a good Conscience: It is no Dishonor to be in a minority in the Cause of Liberty and Virtue: When the Multitude desert that Cause, we will look down upon them with all that Contempt, which our Caesar has been wont to cast upon them when they were virtuous and free. Magna est Veritas et praevalebit [Truth is great and will prevail]. Our Sons, if they deserve it, will enjoy the happy Fruits of their Fathers Struggles.
Right now, I’d say, they are looking down on America with much Contempt.
Let us join together and be deserving of those happy Fruits.
