Adams, John (1735-1826) to inhabitants...of Bedford, Pa re: speech on unity, with William Bingham letter
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02793.007 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Letter signed Date: 1798/06/21 Pagination: 2 p. + letter 25 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Signed as President, acknowledging receipt of their call for unity & noting that "Unanimity in all things is never to be expected."
To the Inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford
in Pennsylvania-
Gentlemen
Your address to the President, Senate, and House of Representatives of the United States, has been presented to me, by one of your Senators in Congress Mr. Bingham-
I beleive [sic], there never were, three men, together, if there were two, who did not find, some difference of Sentiment, to prevail among them, on various subjects-Unanimity in all things is never to be expected; yet when the essential happiness of a people, when the Independence of a Nation is at stake, any irreconcileable difference of opinion is the infallible proof of a corruption that must produce ruin-this I will confidently affirm is not the melancholy situation of America-all inferior considerations, will be laid aside, and we shall be, and we are united, in one opinion and sentiment, in the great cause of our Country, at least so far, as to render all dissentients impotent.
Your Government is your own- If you cannot select persons in whom you can confide, who can? where [2] where will you look? to foreign Governments, Generals or ambassadors? no; let us trust in the direction of the Supreme Being and unite as a Band of Brothers-
John Adams
Philad: June 21st 98-
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