John Quincy Adams

Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will read more

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.

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in
the history of America. I am read more

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in
the history of America. 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 shows, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent
to the other, from this time forward forevermore.

"Man wants but little here below
Nor wants that little long,"
'Tis not with me exactly so;
read more

"Man wants but little here below
Nor wants that little long,"
'Tis not with me exactly so;
But 'tis so in the song.
My wants are many, and, if told,
Would muster many a score;
And were each wish a mint of gold,
I still should long for more.

The declaration that our People are hostile to a government made
by themselves, for themselves, and conducted by themselves, read more

The declaration that our People are hostile to a government made
by themselves, for themselves, and conducted by themselves, is an
insult.

The die was now cast; I had passed the Rubicon. Swim or sink,
live or die, survive or perish read more

The die was now cast; I had passed the Rubicon. Swim or sink,
live or die, survive or perish with my country was my unalterable
determination.