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Has there ever been a greater family defending the American ideals than the Adams'?

John Adams and John Quincy Adams were both lawyers and both rose to the Presidency of the US. More notably to my point of protecting the ideals that America stands for, they both defended controversial cases. John Adams defended the British soldiers that were charged in the infamous Boston Massacre and fought and won their acquittal. Likewise John Quincy Adams defended the slaves of the Amistad in front of the Supreme Court and won their freedom. Both of these were unpopular positions to take at the time. Can you think of another American family that has contributed so much to the service and preservation of our Constitution?

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  • 10 years ago
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    Don't forget the rest of the family. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_political_famil...

    Sam Adams -- American Revolutionary.

    John Adams -- wrote the MA Constitution (which influenced the US Constitution), was the prime mover in getting the Declaration of Independence passed, President and VP, Ambassador.

    John Q. Adams -- secretary on a diplomatic mission to Russia at age 14, served as President, diplomat, Secretary of State, US Rep and Senator, and died in the Capitol building at age 80. Almost all of his life was in service to America.

    The rest of the Adams family tree contains historians, politicians, ambassadors, legislators, military officers, and authors who all lived long and productive lives. One won a Pulitzer Prize. There's also a fair number of alcoholics who died young. It's a fascinating family.

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