Samuel Adams ~ August 1, 1776

“We have no other alternative than independence.”

Samuel Adams

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, August I, 1776 – The veteran revolutionary, Samuel Adams, from Massachusetts, today interpreted the Declaration of Independence, in a speech before the Continental Congress, as a step from which there is no retreat; that unless victory is won slavery will be the price paid for failure. With the same undiminished fervor that has marked his leadership in the rebellion against British misrule, first displayed in his opposal more than a decade ago to the Stamp Act Mr. Adams said “our union is now complete,” and that victory is assured.

But he cautioned that with victory, when it comes, must also come a peace that will make further wars for independence unnecessary. Considering his fiery background, this speech by Mr. Adams, second cousin of his more famous relative John Adams, and chief lieutenant of John Hancock, was moderate and perhaps memorable for the high idealism it set forth.

We are now on this continent, to the astonishment of the world, three millions of souls united in one cause. We have large armies, well disciplined and appointed, with commanders inferior to none in military skill, and superior in activity and zeal. We are furnished with arsenals and stores beyond our most sanguine expectations, and foreign nations are waiting to crown our success by their alliances. There are instances of, I would say, an almost astonishing Providence in our favor; our success has staggered our enemies, and almost given faith to infidels; so we may truly say it is not our own arm, which has saved us.

The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be, perhaps, humble instruments and means in the great providential dispensation, which is completing. We have fled from the political Sodom; let us not look back, lest we perish and become a monument of infamy and derision to the world. For can we ever expect more unanimity and a better preparation for defense; more infatuation of counsel among our enemies, and more valor and zeal among ourselves? The same force and resistance, which are sufficient to procure us our liberties will secure us a glorious independence and support us in the dignity of free, imperial states. We cannot suppose that our opposition has made a corrupt and dissipated nation more friendly to America, or created in them a greater respect for the rights of mankind. We can therefore expect a restoration and establishment of our privileges, and a compensation for the injuries we have received, from their want of power, from their fears, and not from their virtues. The unanimity and valor, which will effect an honorable peace, can render a future contest for our liberties unnecessary. He who has strength to chain down the wolf is a madman if he let him loose without drawing his teeth and paring his nails.

We have no other alternative than independence, or the most ignominious and galling servitude. The legions of our enemies thicken on our plains; desolation and death mark their bloody career; whilst the mangled corpses of our countrymen seem to cry out to us as a voice from Heaven.

Our union is now complete; our constitution composed, established, and approved. You are now the guardians of your own liberties. We may justly address you, as the decemviri did the Romans, and say: “Nothing that we propose can pass into a law without your consent. Be yourselves, O Americans, the authors of those laws on which your happiness depends.”

You have now in the field armies sufficient to repel the whole force of your enemies and their base and mercenary auxiliaries. The hearts of your soldiers beat high with the spirit of freedom; they are animated with the justice of their cause, and while they grasp their swords can look up to Heaven for assistance. Your adversaries are composed of wretches who laugh at the rights of humanity, who turn religion into derision, and would, for higher wages, direct their swords against their leaders or their country. Go on, then, in your generous enterprise, with gratitude to Heaven for past, success, and confidence of it in the future. For my own part, I ask no greater blessing than to share with you the common danger and common glory. If I have a wish dearer to my soul than that my ashes may be mingled with those of a Warren and a Montgomery, it is that these American States may never cease to be free and independent.

~ Postlogue ~
Throughout the War of the Revolution Samuel Adams continued to serve as a member of e Continental Congress from Massachusetts. But with victory in 1781, his popularity fell and he was denied a place in the Congress of the new United States because of the growing feeling that he was too radical. Like Patrick Henry, he was forced to retreat from the national stage, but Massachusetts chose him as Governor from 1794 to 1797, again making a parallel with the career of the Virginia firebrand.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.