1776

17761972

Stars: William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, Ken Howard, Donald Madden
Genre: Drama, Family, History
Rating: G
Runtime: 141 minutes

The nation's fathers harmonize their way through the founding of America in this musical adapted from a popular Broadway show. Colonial representatives gather in Philadelphia with the aim of establishing a set of governmental rules for the burgeonin… more »



Edward Rutledge:
[In the final vote for Independence, Rutledge wants the slavery clause removed from the Declaration, or else he will vote against independence] Well, Mr. Adams?

John Adams:
Well, Mr. Rutledge.

Edward Rutledge:
[stands] Mr. Adams, you must believe that I *will* do what I promised to do.

John Adams:
[stands and approaches him] What is it you want, Rutledge?

Edward Rutledge:
Remove the offending passage from your Declaration.

John Adams:
If we did that, we would be guilty of what we ourselves are rebelling against.

Edward Rutledge:
Nevertheless... remove it, or South Carolina will bury, now and forever, your dream of independence.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
John? I beg you consider what you're doing.

John Adams:
Mark me, Franklin... if we give in on this issue, posterity will never forgive us.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
That's probably true, but we won't hear a thing, we'll be long gone. Besides, what would posterity think we were? Demi-gods? We're men, no more no less, trying to get a nation started against greater odds than a more generous God would have allowed. First things first, John. Independence; America. If we don't secure that, what difference will the rest make?

John Adams:
[long pause] Jefferson, say something.

Thomas Jefferson:
What else is there to do?

John Adams:
Well, man, you're the one that wrote it.

Thomas Jefferson:
I *wrote* ALL of it, Mr. Adams. [stands and goes to the Declaration, crosses out the clause]

John Adams:
[snatches the paper from Jefferson and takes it to Rutledge] There you are, Rutlege, you have your slavery; little good may it do you, now VOTE, damn you!

Edward Rutledge:
[takes the paper] Mr. President, the fair colony of South Carolina... [looks at Adams]... says yea.

5.0 / 1 vote
2,364

Share your thoughts on this 1776's quote with the community:

0 Comments

    Translation

    Find a translation for this quote in other languages:

    Select another language:

    • - Select -
    • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
    • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Esperanto (Esperanto)
    • 日本語 (Japanese)
    • Português (Portuguese)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • Français (French)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
    • 한국어 (Korean)
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Gaeilge (Irish)
    • Українська (Ukrainian)
    • اردو (Urdu)
    • Magyar (Hungarian)
    • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
    • Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • தமிழ் (Tamil)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
    • తెలుగు (Telugu)
    • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
    • Čeština (Czech)
    • Polski (Polish)
    • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Românește (Romanian)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Ελληνικά (Greek)
    • Latinum (Latin)
    • Svenska (Swedish)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Suomi (Finnish)
    • فارسی (Persian)
    • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
    • հայերեն (Armenian)
    • Norsk (Norwegian)
    • English (English)

    Quote of the Day Today's Quote | Archive

    Would you like us to send you a FREE inspiring quote delivered to your inbox daily?

    Please enter your email address:

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this movie quote to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "1776 Quotes." Quotes.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.quotes.net/mquote/961919>.

    Know another quote from 1776?

    Don't let people miss on a great quote from the "1776" movie - add it here!

    Quiz

    Are you a quotes master?

    »
    Who said: "In politics stupidity is not a handicap"?
    A Sigmund Freud
    B Al Capone
    C Napoleon Bonaparte
    D Albert Einstein