McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson LXIV · Part 6: Liberty and the voices of birds

70. Supposed Speech of John Adams, by Daniel Webster

Goal: Your child declaims part of Webster's imagined speech and explains the argument for independence.

⏱ About 40 minutes · 6 steps

Open it at the Internet Archive ↗

You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook and pencil

What's in the book

A speech that Daniel Webster imagined John Adams giving in the Continental Congress in favor of the Declaration of Independence. A note about Webster comes first; definitions and notes follow.

The lesson, step by step

  1. About the author

    The book says Daniel Webster graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801 and was appointed Secretary of State in 1841.

    Mr. Webster's fame rests chiefly on his state papers and speeches.

    The notes explain that Webster imagined an opponent of the Declaration speaking first, and Adams replying with these words.

  2. Words and meanings

    Read some definitions:

    Reconciliation, renewal of friendship.

    Colleague, an associate in some civil office.

    Proscribed, doomed to destruction, put out of the protection of the law.

    Clemency, mercy, indulgence.

    The notes say "our venerable colleague" is Samuel Adams, and that the speech is addressed to John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress.

  3. Read aloud

    This is a speech. Have your child stand and read it with conviction.

    Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart to this vote.

    It is true, indeed, that in the beginning, we aimed not at independence.

    The injustice of England has driven us to arms.

  4. Talk about it

    SayWhy does Adams say they did not aim at independence at first?

    SayWhat risks does he admit? Why vote for it anyway?

    SayFind a sentence built of pairs of opposites. Why is that powerful in a speech?

    SayHow does the speech end?

  5. Memorize and declaim

    Learn the opening sentence and the ending:

    It is my living sentiment, and, by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment

    independence now, and independence FOREVER.

    Declaim them for the family.

  6. Write (optional)

    Write a short speech, five sentences, for something you believe in.

@teddyrookbook GitHub