We are told, that the subjection of Americans may tend to the diminution of our own liberties; an event, which none but very perspicacious politicians are able to foresee. If slavery be thus fatally contagious, how is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?

Summary

This quote by John Adams reflects on the irony and hypocrisy of American slaveholders. Adams suggests that while they claim to champion liberty for themselves, they unseeingly overlook the fact that subjugating others, specifically African slaves, undermines the very concept of freedom they purportedly value. Adams highlights the inconsistency between their rhetoric of liberty and their actions of enslaving others, pointing out the paradoxical nature of their argument. He implies that true advocates of liberty should not only strive for their own freedom but also recognize the importance of ensuring liberty for all individuals, regardless of race or status.

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