If you, or Colonel Dalrymple under you, have the power to remove one regiment you have the power to remove both. It is at your peril if you refuse. The meeting is composed of three thousand people. They have become impatient. A thousand men are already arrived from the neighborhood, and the whole country is in motion. Night is approaching. An immediate answer is expected. Both regiments or none!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- An angry mob demands removal of both regiments immediately under threat of peril.
- In plain terms
- A crowd is angry and demands both regiments leave now.
- What can you take from it?
- Public pressure can force immediate military decisions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does public pressure become coercion?
- How to balance order and demand?
Another view
Yielding to mobs can undermine lawful authority.
More from Samuel Adams
He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will n…
Permalink to quote #2 The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.
Permalink to quote #4 It is a very great mistake to imagine that the object of loyalty is the authority and interest of one individual man, however dignified by the applause or enri…
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.
Lloyd BentsenLloyd Bentsen quote #1 Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third - ['Treason!' cried the Speaker] - may profit by their example. If this be treason,…
Patrick HenryPatrick Henry quote #1 Ces deux moities de Dieu, le pape et l'empereur!
Victor HugoVictor Hugo quote #1