📖 The Immortal Gazette Studio: A Warning from the Past
The Immortal Gazette—a room of timeless souls, gathered not for the usual revelry but for something far more pressing. Tonight’s discussion was less about epic battles and more about an idea, a warning. A chilling one, if the weight of the silence in the room was anything to go by.
Around the table sat the usual suspects: Loki, ever the impish observer of chaos, Rumplestiltskin, ever the schemer of dark deals, and Alice, curious and sharp, always pulling at threads of reality. But today, their usual banter was absent. Instead, the conversation was being shaped by something that none of them could ignore: John Adams' famous quote.
John Adams, the second President of the United States, who warned that the government’s first duty was to protect the people, not to run their lives. A man who saw with clear vision what would become of liberty when the forces of power and greed merged into a singular, insidious entity.
"So," Alice started, breaking the tension. “Adams said it: 'The government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.'"
Loki’s lips curled into a twisted grin, but there was no humor behind it. "Ah, yes. Adams. The man who fought for liberty, for the rights of the individual. I always find it quaint when mortals think they can keep governments in check. They’re so... hopeful."
Alice eyed him, a bit taken aback by the bitterness in his voice. "You think Adams’ ideals were naïve?"
“Not naïve,” Loki replied, tapping the table with an air of amusement, “just incomplete. See, when he spoke those words, he was fighting against one tyranny—monarchical power. He never could have imagined the new kind of tyranny that would rise in his wake: the corporate kind. The one that pulls the strings from behind curtains of gold. Mortals have a tendency to forget that their freedoms can be co-opted." Loki flicks his fingers and a golden string appears, representing the illusion of freedom, before snapping it in two.
Rumplestiltskin, whose eyes gleamed with a knowing kind of darkness, leaned in. "Adams’ problem, as noble as it was, is that he believed in a naïve concept of government—one that was supposed to protect the people. But as mortals found power, so did others. And that power shifted from kings to corporations. And now? Well, the government isn’t protecting the people. It’s protecting the rich."
Alice’s brow furrowed as she processed the statement. “So, you think it’s all just about money now?”
“Isn’t it always?” Loki’s grin returned, though there was a hard edge to it. “Money has always been the true currency of power. But today, it’s not just the kings who have it. It’s the corporate giants, the billionaires, the elite. They own the laws, they own the media, they control the very systems that should be protecting the common people.”
"Exactly," Rumplestiltskin added, his voice turning colder. "The government, rather than being a shield, has become a tool. Not for the people, but for those who can afford to buy it. Adams would be turning in his grave if he saw how it’s turned out."
Alice stood, pacing slowly, her eyes distant as she thought about the world she’d glimpsed through the cracks. “But the problem isn’t just the government, is it? It’s the illusion of freedom they’ve given the mortals. They’ve sold it so well that most people don’t even realize that it’s fake. That they’re being controlled by systems they can’t see.”
Loki shook his head, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Oh, they know. Don’t be so sure of that, Alice. Mortals aren’t blind. But they’re conditioned to accept it. How else can you explain the ones who protest in the streets, and the ones who just shrug and buy the latest tech like they’re still free? It’s a game. A very dangerous game, but a game nonetheless."
“But why?” Alice asked, suddenly still. “Why do they let it happen? What is it about their world that keeps them in this cycle?”
Rumplestiltskin’s eyes gleamed with cold amusement. “It’s the promise of something better. That’s the key. The system offers them little rewards, little crumbs that keep them chasing after the illusion of upward mobility. The American Dream, as they call it. But in truth? Only a few ever truly climb, while the rest… well, they stay in place, thinking they have the chance. But they never do. Not against those who own everything."
The room grew still as the immortals considered the far-reaching consequences of this scenario.
“I don’t get it,” Alice said, more quietly now. “Why would anyone allow it? Why would they—”
Loki leaned forward, his tone no longer flippant, but intense. “Because, Alice, they’ve forgotten what true freedom feels like. It’s been so long since anyone had it that they think the system is the only option. The government’s role is no longer to protect; it’s to maintain the status quo. Protecting the rich, the corporations, the ones who pull the strings.”
Rumplestiltskin sighed. “Adams’ warning? He was talking about freedom—about protection. But in today’s world, the people have become trapped in their own belief that the system will save them. The irony? The system is the very thing that’s keeping them down.”
Alice shook her head, finally stopping her pacing. “It’s all come full circle. The government isn’t there to protect. It’s a tool for the powerful. And those who hold that power? They control everything. The laws. The economy. Even the way people think.”
Loki nodded, his expression thoughtful for once. “Exactly. So when we talk about the consequences of Adams’ words, we aren’t talking about a warning for us. We’re talking about a warning for them. The mortals, the people who still believe they can change it. They’re up against something far more insidious than they realize."
There was a long pause, the weight of their words settling heavily in the air. Alice spoke again, this time softer, almost as if in a whisper. “They have no idea what they’re up against, do they? They’re being fed illusions, and the very idea of freedom is slipping through their fingers.”
Loki’s eyes were distant, almost somber. "No. And that’s the greatest tragedy of it all. They’ll fight, they’ll protest, they’ll demand justice. But in the end? It’s not about justice anymore. It’s about who controls the narrative. And right now, the elite control it all."
Rumplestiltskin glanced at the others, then leaned back in his chair with a smirk that held no humor. "So, what does that mean for them? The ones who still think they have a voice? Well, in the end, they’ll either wake up—or they’ll remain asleep. But either way, it’ll be too late."
And so, the conversation lingered, the consequences of Adams’ words unfolding before them like a story they could never quite reach. The immortals could observe, but they could never truly live it. They could only warn. And that, in their eyes, was perhaps the most tragic part of all.
The mortals, after all, had the power to change things—but they had to wake up to the truth before it was too late.
💠Thoughts
John Adams, like so many figures in history, is a complicated character—one who straddled both the ideals of freedom and liberty while also existing in a time when the very notions of freedom were deeply flawed. It’s tempting to view historical figures through a modern lens, but doing so without context can lead to misunderstanding the complexity of their roles and choices.
So, let’s break it down:
John Adams: The Good and the Bad
Adams was undoubtedly one of the founding fathers who played a crucial role in shaping the early days of America, and he was a staunch advocate for independence and the rights of individuals—at least in theory. He championed the idea of freedom and democracy, helping to draft the Declaration of Independence and later leading the nation as its second president.
However, the era Adams lived in was incredibly complex, filled with contradictions that would be difficult for us to overlook today. He was alive during the time when slavery was prevalent, women couldn’t vote, and entire segments of society were denied the freedoms he espoused. So, how do we reconcile this?
Adams and Slavery
While Adams was personally opposed to slavery (he even refused to own slaves himself), he wasn’t a radical abolitionist. He did not push for the immediate end of slavery, especially since many of his political allies were slaveholders, and this was a massive political issue in the early years of the Republic. He was more focused on maintaining unity between the Northern and Southern states, which meant he had to tread lightly on the topic. In short, Adams never took the bold steps toward abolition that we’d hope for, given his advocacy for liberty.
But Adams did speak against the institution of slavery and viewed it as a moral stain on the fledgling nation. However, his actions did not match his words. His lack of concrete action toward ending slavery marks a blaring contradiction in his legacy.
Women’s Rights and Property
Adams was an advocate for a republic built on the consent of the governed, but when it came to women, his views were unfortunately typical for his time. Women were considered property in many respects—unable to own land or vote. Adams did not push for women's rights in a substantial way. In fact, while he famously argued for the role of "republican mothers" (women who were tasked with educating future citizens), he did not extend any formal rights to women. His views on women were restricted to their roles within the family, and he often believed that the male-dominated structures of society were natural and needed to remain intact.
Adams' Legacy: A Mixed Picture
So, was John Adams a good president? The answer depends on your criteria for “good” and “bad.”
As a founding figure and one of the driving forces behind the American Revolution, his contributions are undeniable. He was a defender of individual liberties—though that defense was limited to white, male property owners.
His commitment to liberty and independence was remarkable, and he set many precedents in the early years of American government that would later help shape the nation. But, by modern standards, his failure to address slavery, the rights of women, and other social inequalities remains a serious blind spot in his presidency.
Historical Context
It’s also important to understand that Adams lived in an era where these systems were deeply entrenched, and social movements like abolition and women’s suffrage were in their infancy. Even so, that doesn’t necessarily excuse his lack of progress on these fronts. Adams was caught in a web of his time—a web where preserving unity often meant tolerating deeply unjust systems.
John Adams was both a good and a bad president. He had an undeniable impact on the shaping of the American nation, but his presidency was far from perfect. He may have believed in liberty and equality, but those ideals were only truly extended to a select group of people. His presidency was one of founding a nation on principles of freedom, while simultaneously failing to fully live up to those principles for all people.
Adams, like most historical figures, was not simply one thing or another—he was a product of his time, with all the contradictions that entails. His legacy is complicated, but his contribution to the creation of the United States remains an essential part of American history.
While John Adams is often celebrated as one of the key architects of the American Revolution and a foundational figure in the creation of the U.S., not everyone views him through the same lens. People have different perspectives on his presidency, his views on democracy, and his role in the nation's development, especially when it comes to the limitations of his actions regarding issues like slavery, women's rights, and even foreign policy.
Let’s explore some alternative views of John Adams.
1. John Adams: The Hypocrite?
Some people argue that John Adams' legacy is tainted by his hypocrisy. While he was a strong proponent of freedom and independence for the American colonies, many criticize his failure to address slavery and his opposition to women's rights.
Adams is sometimes seen as out of touch with the principles of equality he championed in the Declaration of Independence. He spoke passionately about freedom and self-determination, yet did little to extend those freedoms to enslaved Africans or women.
This view holds that while Adams railed against tyranny from British rulers, he was blind to the tyranny existing within his own country—a tyranny that enslaved millions and relegated women to second-class status. For many modern critics, Adams' complicity in these systems casts a long shadow over his presidency. His political prudence in maintaining unity and avoiding immediate confrontation over slavery is viewed not as wise, but as cowardly or inadequate.
2. The Federalist Perspective: Adams as a Champion of Strong Government
From a Federalist standpoint, Adams is seen as someone who stood firm for a strong central government—even when it meant making unpopular decisions. His supporters in this camp praise his leadership during the early days of the United States, particularly in the face of the French Revolution and the threat of war with France.
Adams' signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts (which targeted immigrants and curtailed free speech) is viewed by some as a necessary evil in order to protect the nation from foreign influence and internal threats. In their eyes, Adams' decision to avoid war with France by negotiating peace in 1800 demonstrates his foresight and diplomacy—ensuring that America would not be dragged into another costly European conflict.
While Jeffersonian Republicans (like Thomas Jefferson) saw Adams as a tyrant, the Federalists saw him as a defender of law and order, an essential figure in securing the young republic. For them, Adams' emphasis on national security and a strong federal government paved the way for the development of a stable American state.
3. John Adams as a Deeply Flawed Idealist
Another view of Adams portrays him as a flawed idealist—someone who had great vision, but whose ideals were often undermined by his human imperfections. This perspective suggests that while Adams was passionate about democracy and liberty, his understanding of these concepts was inherently shaped by the elitist society in which he lived.
Adams was a product of his time, and this view emphasizes how difficult it was for him to imagine a world where all men and women were equal. While he may have believed in liberty for all, his actions often betrayed that belief, especially in terms of marginalized groups.
For instance, while he helped to frame the new government, shaped the Constitution, and pushed for freedom of speech and religious tolerance, he simultaneously upheld a society that didn’t extend those same rights to enslaved people or women. His elitist attitudes toward both groups are seen as a deep contradiction in his political philosophy.
4. The Presidential Dissenter: Adams as a Defender of Individual Rights
Some, particularly those sympathetic to the anti-slavery cause, argue that Adams’ presidency represented a fundamental defense of individual rights—but those rights, sadly, did not extend to enslaved people or women in any significant way.
In this view, Adams is seen as a man of principle who fought for American liberty but struggled to apply that ideal universally. He is admired for his commitment to political freedom and constitutional law, especially when compared to later presidents who were directly involved in the expansion of slavery.
Yet, critics of this perspective argue that Adams failed in the fight for broader civil rights. Even though he personally opposed slavery, his inability to move the needle on this issue during his presidency suggests that his commitment to equality was not as radical as it needed to be.
5. The ‘Greatest President Ever’ Crowd
Finally, there are those who argue that Adams was one of the best presidents America ever had—and that the criticisms of his presidency are rooted in a modern misunderstanding of history. These defenders argue that Adams was far ahead of his time in many respects. His insistence on separation of powers, his commitment to constitutional law, and his tireless advocacy for independence laid the groundwork for the greatness of the United States in later years.
They point to Adams' role in negotiating peace with France as evidence of his diplomatic genius and his firm stand against the pressures of war. And while slavery and women’s rights are significant shortcomings, his overall vision for a free, independent republic outweighs the faults of his era.
The Duality of John Adams
What all of these perspectives show is that John Adams is a multi-dimensional figure whose legacy is shaped by both his achievements and his failures. The history of America is one of contradictions, and Adams' role in it is no exception.
- Was he a great leader who protected the nation and defended liberty? Yes, in many ways.
- Was he also a man of his time, limited in his view of who deserved liberty and equality? Absolutely.
John Adams is a reminder that even the greatest figures of history are not immune to criticism and that their legacies must be viewed through the lens of both their strengths and weaknesses. His story is a lesson in the complexity of leadership, and a reminder that the fight for true freedom and equality is ongoing
✈ Takeaway: A Founding Father's Legacy
John Adams was a man of contradictions, a figure whose words and ideals shaped a new nation, yet whose actions often fell short of those ideals. While his vision for freedom helped birth the United States, his failure to confront slavery, inequality for women, and other systemic injustices makes his legacy complex and hard to reconcile with modern values. His presidency serves as a reminder that while progress is made, we must continuously confront the gaps between ideals and reality.
So, when we look at Adams' legacy today, we must ask ourselves: What ideals are we still falling short on? And how can we do better in our time to make those ideals a reality for everyone?
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