Romney's use of Samuel Adams - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Patriotism and Piety

Submitted by Bart, Dec 7, 2007 01:37

In referring to Samuel Adams's invocation of prayer at the first Continental Congress, Governor Mitt Romney belies his argument that religious belief positively unites the country. He stated that in Philadelphia "someone suggested members pray." That "someone" was a fellow Massachusetts delegate and a plant by Adams in an episode one biographer called the most cynical political act of his career. He in fact staged the entire episode in order to achieve his lonely political objective (a preparation of the colonies for war) against the peacemaking Loyalist inclinations of the Episcopalians among the founders. After Adams moved for an Episcopal minister (who was asked in advance by Adams) to give a service, he had his cousin John Adams second the motion. Thus, three Massachusetts delegates manipulated the congress members to their own advantage by a shameless appeal to their piety. Romney may have succeeded in defusing the focus on himself as a religious outlier much as Adams defused the focus on the Boston delegates as a militant mob. However, I hope the Governor did not choose to cite this episode out of context with the same self-serving motives as his predecessor in office, namely, Massachusetts Governor Samuel Adams.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I think this entire discussion is a waste of effort. I disagree with most of what Mr. Romney says, but... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 11:33
What I find amusing and disturbing is that there is a large proportion of America, poorly educated on both the... [MORE]	Fred Willis	Dec 8, 2007 11:55
While Central Europe relied upon religious orthodoxy to confer legitimacy upon the reigning sovereign, the result was the unhealthy accretion... [MORE]	Claude Bogardus	Dec 8, 2007 11:19
I submit that it was Duche's mistake to loose faith in the cause of freedom, not Adam's mistake to have... [MORE]	A. Keller	Dec 7, 2007 11:32
The Constitution rules out any law making any religious belief a criterion for office. But the electorate can take into account... [MORE]	Joel Meyers	Dec 8, 2007 14:44
In referring to Samuel Adams's invocation of prayer at the first Continental Congress, Governor Mitt Romney belies his argument that...	Bart	Dec 7, 2007 01:37
I agree with Bart's comment above. I do, unfortunately, think Mitt Romney has the same "self-serving motives" as our founding... [MORE]	Rebecca	Dec 7, 2007 11:31
Regardless of Sam Adam's motives or Jacob Duche's ultimate disgrace, the gist of what Mr. Romney said is profoundly true.... [MORE]	Dan Dismuke	Dec 7, 2007 14:50
There is nothing shameFUL in enticing, provoking, cajoling, otherwise attempting to persuade others to invoke and reflect upon their own... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 7, 2007 17:47
While my religious beliefs are not in agreement with Mr. Romney's, I can at least refrain from chiding him for... [MORE]	John Spencer Yantiss	Dec 9, 2007 04:46
Your insight is a reason I deliberately read viewpoints I disagree with. You are very insightful. Thanks isn't a strong... [MORE]	John House	Dec 9, 2007 12:39

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