John Quincy Adams on the Providential Nature of American Liberty, July 4, 1793.
“…Then shall the fair fabric of universal Liberty rise upon the durable foundation of social equality, and the long-expected era of human felicity, which has been announced by prophetic inspiration, and described in the most enraptured language of the Muses, shall commence its splendid progress…” So stated John Quincy Adams in his stirring address to the citizens of Boston on July 4, 1793. The future President of the United States was referring to the spread of the ideals unleashed by the American Revolution throughout Europe and the world, but his Biblical framing of the notion of “universal Liberty” should not be overlooked. “The long-expected era of human felicity” undoubtedly refers to the idea of the second coming of Christ and the thousand years of His benevolent rule. The reference to “prophetic inspiration” is a clear reference to the Biblical prophecy concerning Christ’s return. Though rarely overtly, Adams references the Bible thr