![ADAMS, John Quincy (1767-1848). President. Autograph letter signed ("J.Q. Adams") to Augustus E. Silliman, President of the Mercantile Library Association of New York, Quincy [MA], 7 August 1840. 1½ pages, 4to, integral blank neatly inlaid on a larger sheet, fine.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09880_0260_000(040349).jpg?w=1)
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ADAMS, John Quincy (1767-1848). President. Autograph letter signed ("J.Q. Adams") to Augustus E. Silliman, President of the Mercantile Library Association of New York, Quincy [MA], 7 August 1840. 1½ pages, 4to, integral blank neatly inlaid on a larger sheet, fine.
ADDRESSING NATIONAL DILEMMAS: "THE DANGERS TO THE DURATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT ARE ALL WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE"
A forceful letter, written at the height of Adams's political career, which addresses perceived threats to democratic government in the United States. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1829 after his one-term presidency, Adams became a leading spokesman against slavery and in support of the abolitionist's right to petition the Federal government. Here he responds to the President of the Mercantile Library Association in New York which has asked him to lecture on: "the prospective dangers to the duration of the Government of the United States, including the subjects of the Currency of the abolition of Slavery - of Universal Suffrage and of the diversity of interests resulting from a rapidly increasing Empire." Adams regrets that he is unable to grant most requests to speak and explains that he generally refrains from addressing "topics upon which the agitation of the public mind is stimulated by prejudices and passions..."
The outspoken Adams, who did not hesitate to express his views before Congress, offers his private thoughts on divisive political issues within the framework of a democratic system: "The dangers to the duration of our Government, are all within the Controul of the People. We have nothing to fear from without." In a sweeping statement, Adams acknowledges a fear of public (and personal) bias and passion: "In this alternation of light and shade when the whole aspect of the affairs of the Union, will depend on the issue of an Election, and when all are under the influence of an excitement which magnifies every evil and sharpens every fear, I distrust too much my own sympathies with the predominant sentiments of my neighbours and friends to discourse upon dangers which to be duly met might be contemplated in distant perspective and through a cool medium."
Adams's prediction that the duration of the government was in the hands of an electorate that was swayed by its passions proved correct in 1860 when an enraged South challenged the endurance of the Republic by leaving the Union.
ADDRESSING NATIONAL DILEMMAS: "THE DANGERS TO THE DURATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT ARE ALL WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE"
A forceful letter, written at the height of Adams's political career, which addresses perceived threats to democratic government in the United States. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1829 after his one-term presidency, Adams became a leading spokesman against slavery and in support of the abolitionist's right to petition the Federal government. Here he responds to the President of the Mercantile Library Association in New York which has asked him to lecture on: "the prospective dangers to the duration of the Government of the United States, including the subjects of the Currency of the abolition of Slavery - of Universal Suffrage and of the diversity of interests resulting from a rapidly increasing Empire." Adams regrets that he is unable to grant most requests to speak and explains that he generally refrains from addressing "topics upon which the agitation of the public mind is stimulated by prejudices and passions..."
The outspoken Adams, who did not hesitate to express his views before Congress, offers his private thoughts on divisive political issues within the framework of a democratic system: "The dangers to the duration of our Government, are all within the Controul of the People. We have nothing to fear from without." In a sweeping statement, Adams acknowledges a fear of public (and personal) bias and passion: "In this alternation of light and shade when the whole aspect of the affairs of the Union, will depend on the issue of an Election, and when all are under the influence of an excitement which magnifies every evil and sharpens every fear, I distrust too much my own sympathies with the predominant sentiments of my neighbours and friends to discourse upon dangers which to be duly met might be contemplated in distant perspective and through a cool medium."
Adams's prediction that the duration of the government was in the hands of an electorate that was swayed by its passions proved correct in 1860 when an enraged South challenged the endurance of the Republic by leaving the Union.