Posted on 07/03/2011 4:37:15 PM PDT by gman992
Okay, who is everyone favorite founding father??
I’m torn. Washington for his courage and dedication and Franklin for his vision and imagination.
The source forgot to mention that he could see the future.
I think of Washington as steadfast, true, humble, yet fearless and undoubtedly a true gentleman. Its between Washington and Adams for me. How they expressed themselves personality wise may have been different, yet in each I see similar character traits.
“John Adams. He was obnoxious and disliked, and he never got a monument (or a dinner)!”
He also wasn’t a Mason. I read somewhere that was why he didn’t have a monument.
tj
Bravo! Good defense of Adams, my reasons for favoring him too. Though you made me think of a relatively unknown Patriot,Josiah Quincy. He was Adams, law partner, and also defended the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. Josiah Quincy was known to the his fellow patriots as “The Patriot.” At some point, he was sent on a mission to England and died as his ship was entering Boston Harbor on the return voyage. My understanding is that his mission was secret and whatever he learned abroad died with him. Quite sad, who knows what might have been...
Not so far, but there is always hope.
Is there maybe one on the horizon?
I don't know. No one I have seen is even close. I pray "yes" because we need another badly.
I like the following lines from the movie 1776:
“Abigail: I never asked for more. After all, I am Mrs. John Adams and that’s quite enough for one lifetime.
John Adams: Is it, Abby?
Abigail: Well, think of it, John, to be married to the man who is always the first in line to be hanged!”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068156/quotes
Can’t pick just one:
George Washington, the great General and father of the country. The indispensable man, they call him, for good reason.
Samuel Adams, the lighter of the “brushfires of the mind” that made the Revolution possible.
John Adams, for his brain power, his diplomacy, and his steady political service to his country over many, many years. And for siring John Quincy.
Thomas Paine, for his political writing which stirred the whole nation, at a critical moment in history.
Patrick Henry, for his incredible passion.
Thomas Jefferson, for penning the immortal founding paragraphs of the republic, and for having the foresight to double the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase.
James Madison, for having the vision and the plain dogged stick-to-it-iveness to bring the Constitution into being.
Benjamin Franklin, for his down home wisdom and diplomatic talent.
And so many more.
The victorious General Washington enters New York
Reading everyone’s thoughts and reasons for their choice or choices, makes me feel even more over awed by the group that came together at that moment of time and founded our great nation. If only it would happen again, a collective group of decent men and woman, joining together, determined to preserve our nation and turn it back to ways that made it great.
I looked through the replies to see if Patrick Henry was mentioned. Although he is not, probably, considered a Founding Father, I would put him closely behind George Washington. If you read the ANTI-federalist papers, you’ll see Henry was a prophet of things to come.
Clearly, Thr General. And happy Fourth to all...I am in the Emerald Isle this Fourth, so limited access.
God Bless America!
Have a nice time and a safe trip!
My cousin, John Adams.
-- John Marshall, official eulogy of George Washington, delivered by Richard Henry Lee, December 26, 1799"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private charter gave effulgence to his public virtues. Such was the man for whom our nation mourns."
Ben rocks....the original party reptile. Smart and funny, he could seduce women faster than Clinton ever could.
Franklin was also a Patriotic American.....
/ditto
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.