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Samuel Adams
One of the most outspoken and active defenders of the rights of the American
colonists before, during, and after the American Revolution is Samuel Adams.
He is known by his name not only by the residents of Boston, but throughout
the colonies. His influence in guiding the nature of the New Republic, through
his many newspaper articles, letters, speeches, and especially his long
service in the legislature, is such that today “Mr. Adams” has become a
household word. In some of his select writings he presents truths and arguable
ideas. Indeed we may say that Plato’s proposed truth in “Allegory of the Cave”
is reflected in Samuels’ political rhetoric.
Samuel's strong authority is expressed in his motivational addresses.
August 1, 1776, Samuel Adams delivers his “American Independence”
speech at the State House in Philadelphia. He combines bravura ideals with
shrewd politics in an attempt to expedire from a British colony into an
independent nation. In this piece of
writing his expressions make the reader believe in their rights to revolt
against Britain. He fills his audience with strength and courage by using
words such as “We” and “my countrymen”. He gives faith and provides a
motive with reasoning to halt the unjust treatment Britain throws at this
forthcoming nation. Adams shows
that American people are slaves to the eyes of the “beasts”. He employs
phrases to let the audience realize that Great Britain uses our tax money and
presses debts in order to ease their own burdens. There is a certain authority
and leadership quality that is held then impelled out in his rhetoric. He
manufactures a desire to stand
up and help acquire independence from the demons.
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Did
they promise for us that our meekness and patience should be insulted; our
coasts be harassed, our towns demolished and plundered, and our wives and
offspring exposed to nakedness, hunger, and death, without our feeling the
resentment of men, and exerting those powers of self preservation which God
has given us.
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His passionate words are heard and they open eyes which give light to this
cruel rule and they attempt to raid for their human rights. Adams’
rhetoric is dramatically capturing and the mood is motivational, yet
intense.
Samuel Adams is demanding and does not drift from his burning issues. He
writes with his heart and mind and therefore his point succeeds for more then
just the obvious reasons.
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But …when I behold legions of foreign assassins, paid by Englishmen to imbrue
their hands in our blood; when I tread over the uncoffined bodies of my
countrymen, neighbors, friends; when I see the locks of a venerable father
torn by savage hands, and a feeble mother, clasping her infants to her bosom,
and on her knees imploring their lives from her own slaves, whom Englishmen
have allured to treachery and murder; … once the seat of industry, peace,
and plenty, changed by Englishmen to a theatre of blood and misery, Heaven
forgive me, if I cannot root out those passions which it as implanted in my
bosom, and detest submission to a people who have either ceased to be human,
or have not virtue enough to feel their own wretchedness and servitude! |
Yes, we did earn our independence, but without his persuasive views most of
his peoples’ feelings would have never surfaced.
Another work of his, The Rights of the Colonists, he displays a report from
the Committee of Correspondence to the Boston Town Meeting, November 20, 1772.
He has flowing writing and presents the facts skillfully. He fires up the
viewers with emotional and personal rights that should be altered. No
longer should his people be treated unjustly. Samuel Adams preaches
repeatedly, “The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior
power on earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man,
but only to have the law of nature for his rule.” Why should Great Britain
have the right to enslave the colonists? They need to have the full
opportunity to practice their liberties because they are no different then any
other man. He also roused public opinion in local politics. Efforts
like this gave him a seat as a delegate to the First and the Second
Continental Congress to further fight and persuade for colonial independence.
There are no accounts of false speeches, letters, or other types of his work.
He is a truthful man and thinker. He doesn’t contradict himself or fall away
from his point of action. Adams gives evidence and supports all of his
arguments with powerful deliveries.
In “Allegory of the Cave”, Plato speaks of enlightenment. Enlightenment Is
bestowing the light of fact and knowledge. So what is the truth in Samuel
Adams’ rhetoric? Plato says that once you are enlightened you cannot go back
once you seek power. In Samuel Adams’ “American Independence”, he
relates to Plato’s opinions in, “But to the eye of reason what can be more
clear than that all men have an equal right to happiness?” Happiness as
stated in “Allegory of the Cave” is an abstract idea that should be given
to all, not to just an elite group. I believe that the colonies’ people were
enlightened and went forward with their aspirations. Adams’ truths came out,
reached the people, and made a difference. They, as well as their leader,
seized the opportunity to revolt against Great Britain. In that sense,
his enlightenment was clearly worth the mêlée.
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