‘Democratic Thinker’ Archives
John Adams to Officers of the Massachusetts Militia
American Papers As war with France threatens, local militias volunteer for the defense of the new nation. President John Adams replies to the officers of one of the units. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. ___________________________ To The Officers of the [...]
Democratic Thinker: History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. 4
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Democratic Thinker: History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. 3
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Christopher Gadsen: Report of the Stamp Act Congress
Background of the American Revolution Christopher Gadsden, an ardent supporter of a united American effort to protect the rights of the colonies, reports the actions of the Stamp Act Congress of October 1765 to the agent of the South Carolina Colony. There ought to be no New England men, no New Yorker, &c., known on the Continent, but all [...]
Democratic Thinker: The History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol. II
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Democratic Thinker: History of the Puritans: Preface, Vol I
Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the Protestant Reformation—in particular the Dissenters (or Puritans) who brought the ideals of religious toleration and individual accountability with them to America. Daniel Neal, their chronicler, documented their [...]
Democratic Thinker: Gettysburg: The Humiston Children
The Humiston Children. After the close of the Battle of Gettysburg, on Stratum Street, near York street, in Gettysburg, was found the corpse of a Federal soldier. Tightly grasped in the dead soldier’s hand was an ambrotype likeness of three children, and on them his last gaze had been fastened as his soul had departed to its God. He was [...]
Paul Revere’s Ride: In His Own Words
American Revolution Paul Revere—silversmith, engraver, and Son of Liberty—recounts his actions and those of other Sons of Liberty on the eve of the events at Lexington and Concord. To Dr. Belknap Massachusetts Historical Society ————— BOSTON, January 1, 1798. DEAR SIR, HAVING a little leisure, I wish to fulfil my promise of [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 12: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 11: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 10: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essays No. 9: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 8: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
A Bold and Arduous Project: Ben Franklin
American Thought Benjamin Franklin, in his Autobiography, relates the plan he developed when he was about twenty-seven years old by which he thought he could become a more profitable and useful businessman as well as a beneficial citizen. - Democratic Thinker I was surpris’d to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined; but [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essays No. 7: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essays No. 6: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essays No. 5: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 4: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: John Adams: Novanglus Essay No. 3
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Novanglus Essay No. 2: John Adams
The American Revolution—The Novanglus Essays John Adams, under the signature of Novanglus, published a series of essays in Boston just prior to the start of the armed conflict in America. An answer to the Massachusettensis essays, Adams laid out the American position on the natural rights of individual Americans and the rights enjoyed by all [...]
Democratic Thinker: Habitual Poverty and Immigration: B. Franklin
American Correspondence Benjamin Franklin comments on the natural causes of idleness and industry, and that the preservation of the nation’s liberty and freedom requires the immigrant to adopt the common language and customs. To Peter Collinson Philadelphia, May 9, 1753. SIR, Benjamin Franklin. I received your Favour of the 29th. August [...]
Democratic Thinker: Samuel and John Adams on Govt., Letter 4
Four Letters on the Important Subject of Government An exchange of letters between cousins Samuel Adams and John Adams—written in 1790 and published in a small pamphlet in 1802—illustrates the differing political philosophies of Samuel, for the Republicans (Democrats), and John, for the Federalists (Whigs). Among the numbers of men, my [...]
Democratic Thinker: Samuel and John Adams on Govt., Letter 3
Four Letters on the Important Subject of Government An exchange of letters between cousins Samuel Adams and John Adams—written in 1790 and published in a small pamphlet in 1802—illustrates the differing political philosophies of Samuel, for the Republicans (Democrats), and John, for the Federalists (Whigs). Let us be impartial. There is [...]
Democratic Thinker: Samuel and John Adams on Govt., Letter 2
Four Letters on the Important Subject of Government An exchange of letters between cousins Samuel Adams and John Adams—written in 1790 and published in a small pamphlet in 1802—illustrates the differing political philosophies of Samuel, for the Republicans (Democrats), and John, for the Federalists (Whigs). Their disciples have followed [...]
Democratic Thinker: Samuel and John Adams on Govt., Letter 1
Four Letters on the Important Subject of Government An exchange of letters between cousins Samuel Adams and John Adams—written in 1790 and published in a small pamphlet in 1802—illustrates the differing political philosophies of Samuel, for the Republicans (Democrats), and John, for the Federalists (Whigs). What, my old friend, is this [...]
Democratic Thinker: Samuel & John Adams on Government—Preface
Four Letters on the Important Subject of Government An exchange of letters between cousins Samuel Adams and John Adams—written in 1790 and published in a small pamphlet in 1802—illustrates the differing political philosophies of Samuel, for the Republicans (Democrats), and John, for the Federalists (Whigs). We shall not presume to [...]
Cotton Mather: Through Defects Come the Works of the Lord — Democratic Thinker
American Thought Cotton Mather, a month after his eighteenth birthday, asks God for help with his speech impediment the day before he preaches a Sabbath sermon. He also writes down his daily resolutions. The Lord knowes, how miserably defective I have been, in the performing of what I have thus resolved. But my Defects, have been the matter [...]
Thomas K. Beecher: Religious Tolerance — Democratic Thinker
Freedom of Religion In 1870, Thomas K. Beecher, teacher, Congregational minister, and chaplain during the Civil War, publishes the sermons he preached to the seven churches in Elmira, New York. But in this land, where there is no privileged class nor established church, he who talks of tolerating his fellow-citizens insults them and becomes [...]
Webster’s American Education—§ 15— Democratic Thinker
American Thought Noah Webster, shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, publishes an essay in his American Magazine outlining his reasons and methods for revising the educational system in the new republic. On the EDUCATION of YOUTH in AMERICA. NEW YORK, 1788. ————— § 15. The Tour of America, a necessary Part of a liberal [...]
Webster’s American Education—§ 14–Democratic Thinker
American Thought Noah Webster, shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, publishes an essay in his American Magazine outlining his reasons and methods for revising the educational system in the new republic. On the EDUCATION of YOUTH in AMERICA. NEW YORK, 1788. ————— § 14. On a foreign Education. BEFORE I quit this subject, [...]
