The faith of society is pledged for the preservation of the rights of commercial and sea faring no less than of the other citizens.
John Adams: “The faith of society is pledged for the preservation of the rights of commercial and sea faring no less than of the…”
Editor's note · Context
Adams emphasizes the societal obligation to protect the rights of all citizens, including those in commerce.
Share
More from John Adams
In short, commerce has made this country what it is, and it can not be destroyed or neglected without involving the people in poverty and distress.
Under this view of our affairs, I should hold myself guilty of a neglect of duty if I forbore to recommend that we should make every exertion to protect our commerce and to place our country in a suitable posture of defense as the only…
But in demonstrating by our conduct that we do not fear war in the necessary protection of our rights and honor we shall give no room to infer that we abandon the desire of peace.
The national defense must be provided for as well as the support of Government; but both should be accomplished as much as possible by immediate taxes, and as little as possible by loans.