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Nil Desperandum — Samuel Adams

Liberty Letters with Steve Farrell

Human nature being what it is, patriotic fervor tends to come and go.

In 1772, when it seemed to be more going than coming, James Warren reported to Samuel Adams from Plymouth about the towns he had been canvassing: “They are dead,” he lamented, “and the dead can’t be raised without a miracle.”

“Nil desperandum” (Never despair), Adams reminded his friend. “That is a motto for you and me. All are not dead. And where there is a spark of patriotic fire, we will rekindle it.” (1)

This must be our resolution as well, today, now. Wherever we see the light flickering out in a neighbor, neighborhood, organization, legislature, or even an Internet community, we must be wise enough, faithful enough, enduring enough to never despair but rather do all in our power to rekindle flames here and there that not a one is snuffed out … not a one, not for a moment.

The work is too vital; the cause Heavenly. No faithless slacking for me and thee. On to victory on.

Steve Far­rell is one of the orig­i­nal pun­dits at Sil­ver Eddy Award Win­ner, NewsMax.com (1999–2008), asso­ciate pro­fes­sor of polit­i­cal econ­omy at George Wythe Uni­ver­sity, the author of the highly praised inspi­ra­tional novel “Dark Rose,” and edi­tor in chief of The Moral Liberal.

Footnote: Langguth, A.J. “Patriots: The Men Who Started the Revolution,” p. 170.



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  • Pingback: Democratic Thinker

  • http://themoralliberal.com admin

    To Democratic Thinker: Thank you Democratic Thinker. Is this the exact date of the correspondence “Patriots” quoted? Best, Steve

  • http://themoralliberal.com admin

    To Democratic Thinker: I’ve wondered how to get a hold of you. I’d love to grant you “cross-posting” privileges at The Moral Liberal with live links back to your place … if you’re interested. Steve

  • http://democraticthinker.wordpress.com/ Democratic Thinker

    The quote in the Adams’ letter of 9 Dec 1772 appears to be the same as the “Patriots” quote. The James Warren quote I used is from a Massachusetts historical journal, as I recall, which also quotes the same Adams’ letter quite extensively

    I don’t know about cross-posting. I’ve never done it. I tend to go my own way. The documents I post are generally in the public domain, unless I linke to the original. So are free for you to re-post any time. Including the images.

    D.T.

    • http://themoralliberal.com admin

      Hello D.T.

      Thanks. We will go ahead and re-post with full credit to you and a live link into your place. :)

      Best to you,

      Steve

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