The Other Adams

John Adams was always my favorite Founding Father. Maybe it was because he was a curmudgeon. Maybe it was because of excellent taste in wives--Abigail seems to have at least as smart and well-educated as he.

And, yes, I admit that whole Alien and Sedition Acts thing was a bit much...

But, as smart as John Adams was, son John Quincy Adams is generally regarded as the smartest president to date. (Certainly it's been a while since we had one who might have been any competition...)

Here are a couple of samples of John Q. Adams' wisdom:

Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

From another source:

All the public business in Congress now connects itself with intrigues, and there is great danger that the whole government will degenerate into a struggle of cabals.

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

And a few more:

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.

This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe,
For freedom only deals the deadly blow;
Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade,
For gentle peace in freedom's hallowed shade.

(Note that that last page has some quotes listed as John Q.'s, which I am sure are properly attributed to his father.)