Adams, Adams, and Franklin on Unalienable Rights and the Constitutionality of Socialism

John Adams;

“That all men are born to equal rights is true. Every being has a right to his own, as clear, as moral, as sacred, as any other being…But to teach that men are born with equal powers and faculties, to equal influence in society, to equal property and advantages throughout life, is a gross fraud. ” (1)

Samuel Adams;

” The Utopian schemes of leveling (redistribution of wealth) and a community of goods are as visionary and impracticable as those  which vest all property in the Crown. (these ideas) are arbitrary, despotic, and in our government, unconstitutional.” (2)

Benjamin Franklin;

” To relieve the misfortunes of our fellow creatures, is concurring with the Deity; It is Godlike; but, if we provide encouragement for laziness, and supports for folly, may we not be found fighting against the order of God and nature?…Whenever we attempt to amend the scheme of providence, and to interfere with the government of the world we had need to be very circumspect, lest we do more harm than good.” (3)

(1) Koch, The American Enlightenment, p,222

(2) Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, 1: 154

(3) Smythe, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 10:64