Make no mistake the American Revolution was not fought to obtain freedom, but to preserve the liberties that Americans already had as colonials. Independence was no conscious goal, secretly nurtured in cellar or jungle by bearded conspirators, but a reluctant last resort, to preserve 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'
More Quotes from Samuel Eliot Morison:
No big modern war has been won without preponderant sea power and, conversely, very few rebellions of maritime provinces have succeeded without acquiring sea power.Samuel Eliot Morison
America was discovered accidentally by a great seaman who was looking for something else when discovered it was not wanted and most of the exploration for the next fifty years was done in the hope of getting through or around it. America was named after a man who discovered no part of the New World. History is like that, very chancy.
Samuel Eliot Morison
Franklin may ... be considered one of the founding fathers of American democracy, since no democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise.
Samuel Eliot Morison
An historian should yield himself to his subject, become immersed in the place and period of his choice, standing apart from it now and then for a fresh view.
Samuel Eliot Morison
A tough but nervous, tenacious but restless race the Yankees materially ambitious, yet prone to introspection, and subject to waves of religious emotion.... A race whose typical member is eternally torn between a passion for righteousness and a desire to get on in the world.
Samuel Eliot Morison
But sea power has never led to despotism. The nations that have enjoyed sea power even for a brief period Athens, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, England, the United Statesare those that have preserved freedom for themselves and have given it to others. Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao.
Samuel Eliot Morison
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Based on Topics: America Quotes, Goals Quotes, Happiness Quotes, Liberty & Freedom Quotes, Life Quotes, Revolution QuotesBased on Keywords: bearded, cellar, colonials, conspirators
I'm living the American dream.
Dick Vitale
In a way, certain sections of the media always wanted to knock me because I had captained my country and been skipper at Old Trafford. It was all a bit odd really.
Bryan Robson
To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness.
Ivan Turgenev