Admission Quote by John Adams
“Negro Slavery is an evil of Colossal magnitude. I am therefore utterly averse to the admission of Slavery into the Missouri Territory, and heartily wish that every Constitutional measure may be adopted for the preservation of it.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1802, regarding Missouri Constitution
Opposing slavery’s expansion into new territories as a moral atrocity.
In simple terms: Slavery is a massive evil; oppose its spread.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for anti‑slavery policies.
Themes
slavery
morality
politics
human rights
Mood
determined
serious
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- territorial expansion
- public petitions
Key Concepts
constitutional law
ethical stance
Questions to Reflect On
- What arguments did pro‑slavery advocates use?
- How can moral arguments influence law?
A Different Perspective
Economic interests often conflicted with moral arguments.
![“I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. They are the most glorious nation…” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e34/john-adams-529_affair_i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contribut_104004.jpg)
