Adams was a man of several professions.
He was a Farmer, a Lawyer, a School Teacher, a Politician and a Diplomat. Many of these professions were practiced at the same time. While he may have been a man of some success he liked to refer to himself as a 'simple farmer.' He wasn't always good at every one of these attempted tasks. In fact he was a mediocre diplomat and often an ineffectual politician. He did however take every profession seriously and he always strove to put in a good days, or nights, work.
Today how many of our politicians have had several lines of work? How many of them have ever worked outside the public sector? Truly comparing Adams to many of our present leaders would make Adams a Renaissance Man. It is not an unfair assessment to assert that one of the reasons the second President was as in tune to the people he represented, was because he was one of them.
The importance of self improvement through education.
Adams once wrote in a letter to his oldest son John Quincy " you will never be lonely with a poet in your pocket." For the 'simple farmer' President, reading and study went hand in hand. He liked his children to read Greek Classics in the original Greek. His two sons especially were admonished to take their studies seriously.
When writing the Massachusetts Commonwealth Constitution Adams wrote the following;
"Wisdom, and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties; and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of the country, and among the different orders of the people, it shall be the duty of legislatures and magistrates, in all future periods of this commonwealth, to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them; especially the university at Cambridge, public schools and grammar schools in the towns; to encourage private societies and public institutions, rewards and immunities, for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and frugality, honesty and punctuality in their dealings; sincerity, good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments among the people."For Adams a free society was an educated society. If the basic sciences, military theory, and a vast amount of other fields are not understood, then the new free society could not achieve greatness. He also clearly believed that a society that will educate itself not only honors God; but, will have greater opportunities for all of its citizens. If Adams were President today, one could imagine, that no subject would be blocked from study and Religion would most certainly not be banished from schools.
Government's Role.
Like many of the founding fathers, Adams had a profound lack of trust in placing too much faith in a governing individual. "There is a danger from all men. The only maxim of free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty." Adams even felt that putting too much power in the hands of congress was problematic. In a letter to Jefferson, Adams wrote; "You are apprehensive of Monarchy: I of Aristocracy. I would give Power to the President and less to the Senate."
Now, one is led to ask, aren't these two statements contradictory? Perhaps, but these statements show that Adams had a distinct apprehension toward ruling powers. Much of the early concepts of the United States were new and the great thinkers of the time all had differing ideas of what would be best.
There is often criticism of Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, and their support for a 'strong central Government.' We must remember that the same people who criticized the Adams' policy were the same who were shocked at Jefferson's 'Louisiana Purchase.' In matter of fact, the ideal Jeffersonian model of a weakened central Government had to be amended by prudence even by Jefferson himself. If we were to look at Adams' plan for a stronger central Government, it would seem minuscule compared to the 'New Deal' era of Roosevelt in the 30's. One could easily see both Jefferson an Adams falling over in shock witnessing the huge growth of central power during the 1930's or especially of today. So Adams' plan was focused on the power in the capital but this power was truly tiny compared to any power that the federal government has exercised in the last 100 years.
What did the second President believe?
When one reads of Adams, the first point that is everpresent in his life is Faith. Adams feared intervention by any governing entity of free exercise of religion. Adams felt that religion was the only real compass in life or society. With religion comes a strong family core. This was also a guiding principle in Adams' life. He wanted his children to be righteous, patriotic, good people. In a letter to his wife the second President wrote "take care they don't go astray. Cultivate their Minds, inspire their attention upon great and glorious Objects, root out every Meanness, Ingratitude, Cowardice and Falsehood. Let them revere nothing but Religion, Morality and Liberty."
This is why John Adams is such an important Founding Father. I am proud to call myself a "John Adams Conservative."
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