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Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: Here's what I think about the argument over the Second Amendment... [View all]friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)20. John Adams was also very much opposed to slavery, as you can see here:
(Note: Robert J. Evans was an abolitionist)
TO ROBERT J. EVANS.
Quincy, 8 June, 1819.
I respect the sentiments and motives, which have prompted you to engage in your present occupation, so much, that I feel an esteem and affection for your person, as I do a veneration for your assumed signature of Benjamin Rush. The turpitude, the inhumanity, the cruelty, and the infamy of the African commerce in slaves, have been so impressively represented to the public by the highest powers of eloquence, that nothing that I can say would increase the just odium in which it is and ought to be held. Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States. If, however, humanity dictates the duty of adopting the most prudent measures for accomplishing so excellent a purpose, the same humanity requires, that we should not inflict severer calamities on the objects of our commiseration than those which they at present endure, by reducing them to despair, or the necessity of robbery, plunder, assassination, and massacre, to preserve their lives, some provision for furnishing them employment, or some means of supplying them with the necessary comforts of life. The same humanity requires that we should not by any rash or violent measures expose the lives and property of those of our fellow-citizens, who are so unfortunate as to be surrounded with these fellow-creatures, by hereditary descent, or by any other means without their own fault. I have, through my whole life, held the practice of slavery in such abhorrence, that I have never owned a negro or any other slave, though I have lived for many years in times, when the practice was not disgraceful, when the best men in my vicinity thought it not inconsistent with their character, and when it has cost me thousands of dollars for the labor and subsistence of free men, which I might have saved by the purchase of negroes at times when they were very cheap.
If any thing should occur to me, which I think may assist you, I will endeavor to communicate it to you; but at an age, when
From Marlboroughs eyes the streams of dotage flow,
And Swift expires a driveller and a show,
very little can be expected from, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant.
Quincy, 8 June, 1819.
I respect the sentiments and motives, which have prompted you to engage in your present occupation, so much, that I feel an esteem and affection for your person, as I do a veneration for your assumed signature of Benjamin Rush. The turpitude, the inhumanity, the cruelty, and the infamy of the African commerce in slaves, have been so impressively represented to the public by the highest powers of eloquence, that nothing that I can say would increase the just odium in which it is and ought to be held. Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States. If, however, humanity dictates the duty of adopting the most prudent measures for accomplishing so excellent a purpose, the same humanity requires, that we should not inflict severer calamities on the objects of our commiseration than those which they at present endure, by reducing them to despair, or the necessity of robbery, plunder, assassination, and massacre, to preserve their lives, some provision for furnishing them employment, or some means of supplying them with the necessary comforts of life. The same humanity requires that we should not by any rash or violent measures expose the lives and property of those of our fellow-citizens, who are so unfortunate as to be surrounded with these fellow-creatures, by hereditary descent, or by any other means without their own fault. I have, through my whole life, held the practice of slavery in such abhorrence, that I have never owned a negro or any other slave, though I have lived for many years in times, when the practice was not disgraceful, when the best men in my vicinity thought it not inconsistent with their character, and when it has cost me thousands of dollars for the labor and subsistence of free men, which I might have saved by the purchase of negroes at times when they were very cheap.
If any thing should occur to me, which I think may assist you, I will endeavor to communicate it to you; but at an age, when
From Marlboroughs eyes the streams of dotage flow,
And Swift expires a driveller and a show,
very little can be expected from, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant.
From:
The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 10.
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Here's what I think about the argument over the Second Amendment... [View all]
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
OP
I've actually tried to get the point across about the Bill of Rights before.
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
#7
They were pretty stern and callous folks who didn't question slavery, prohibiting women from voting,
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#6
John Adams was also very much opposed to slavery, as you can see here:
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2012
#20
Benjamin had slaves. There weren't many of FF who did not have slaves. Few fought it at time.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#29
I read about a Klansman who called himself a "civil rights activist". He claimed he had changed too.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#37
Guns are not inherently racist. They existed before white people were in what is now the US,
TPaine7
Jul 2012
#39
Sure thing, we'll just wait a million years for you guys to realize guns aren't the answer to much.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#30
Yea, they questioned whether to count them as a whole person. You guys can't be serious.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#28
Don't tell me this is yet another area where you revel in your own ignorance?
4th law of robotics
Jul 2012
#31
What was the outcome of all those "fierce debates" and when did slavery end? How about racism?
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#32
The Constitution, essentially endorsed slavery. Heck, most of the founders "owned" humans.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#44
I've heard that from the right wingers in southern states. They sound proud of it.
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#45
Let's take your logic seriously and apply it consistently, exactly as if it made sense.
TPaine7
Jul 2012
#8
You know your rights are safe. Hopefully your guns will be restricted, and pethaps
Hoyt
Jul 2012
#10
That's probably the most reasonable post I've ever seen from you. But it's wrong...
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
#19
Out of curiosity are you at all concerned about the rights we have lost and are losing ...
spin
Jul 2012
#21
Or he's working to ensure safe and convenient working conditions for his colleagues. n/t
NewMoonTherian
Jul 2012
#58
Now the government is constrained from abridging this right of any sane non-felon citizen.
lumberjack_jeff
Jul 2012
#40
How is it that a 'declaratory and restrictive clause' against the government limits 'the people'?
X_Digger
Jul 2012
#63
These are not stand-alone commandments, these are amendments to the Constitution.
ellisonz
Jul 2012
#67
How is a limit on the government (the bill of rights) a limit on 'the people'?
X_Digger
Jul 2012
#69
So you're standing by your implication that anyone carrying a gun is a combatant and therefore
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
#55
NO matter how broad the brush is that you paint with, it always misses some spots...
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
#57
"That is the current consequence of waiting until some idiot shoots someone before jailing them."
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2012
#70