1776 (1972)
Patrick Hines: Samuel Chase (MD)
Quotes
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John Adams : The Congress is waiting on you, Chase! America is waiting! The whole world is waiting!
[taking a morsel of food]
John Adams : What's that, kidney?
Samuel Chase : [slapping his hand away] Leave me alone, Mr. Adams! You're wasting your time. If I thought we could win this war, I'd be at the front of your ranks, but you must know it's impossible. You've heard General Washington's dispatches. His army has fallen to pieces.
John Adams : Washington is exaggerating the situation in order to arouse this torpid Congress into action. Why, as chairman of the war committee, I can state for a fact that the army has never been in better shape. Never have troops been more... cheerful. Never have soldiers been more resolute. Never have training and discipline been more spirited!
[Washington's courier enters with a new message]
John Adams : Oh, good God.
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Samuel Chase : [to Adams, referring to the Declaration] Answer straight: what would be its purpose?
John Adams : [lost for words] Yes, well...
[Jefferson stands up]
Thomas Jefferson : [slowly and deliberately] To place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent.
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Joseph Hewes : Your clock is fast, Mr. Adams. I say we're not yet ripe for independence.
Stephen Hopkins : Not ripe? Hell, we're rotting for want of it!
Samuel Chase : Gentlemen, please, what in God's name is the infernal hurry? Why must this question be settled now?
Caesar Rodney : What's wrong with now, Mr. Chase?
Samuel Chase : General Washington is in the field. If he's defeated, as it now appears, we'll be inviting the hangman. But if, by some miracle, he should actually win, we can then declare anything we damn please.
Joseph Hewes : The sentiments of North Carolina precisely.
John Adams : Has it ever occured to either of you that an army needs something to fight *for* in order *to* win? A goal, a purpose, a flag of its own?
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Samuel Chase : Mr. Adams, how can a nation of only two million souls stand up to an empire of ten million? Think of it. Ten million! How do we compensate for that shortage?
Dr. Benjamin Franklin : It's simple, Mr. Chase. Increase and multiply.
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John Adams : [after the South's walkout] Stephen, I want you to...
Stephen Hopkins : I'm going to the tavern, Johnny. If there's anything I can do for you there, let me know.
John Adams : [the others start to leave, too] Chase. Bartlett!
Dr. Josiah Bartlett : What's the use, John? The vote's tomorrow morning.
Samuel Chase : There's left than a full day left.
John Adams : Roger.
Roger Sherman : Face facts, John. It's finished.
Rev. John Witherspoon : I'm sorry, John.
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Samuel Chase : Face facts, Mr. Adams. A group of drunk and disorderly recruits against the entire British army, the finest musketmen on Earth. How can we win? How can we even hope to survive?
John Adams : Answer me straight, Chase: if you thought we *could* beat the Redcoats, would Maryland say yea to independence?
Samuel Chase : Well, I suppose...
John Adams : No supposing. Would you or wouldn't you?
Samuel Chase : Very well, Mr. Adams. Yes, we would.
John Adams : Then come with me to New Brunswick and see for yourself.
Col. Thomas McKean : John, are you mad?
Dr. Josiah Bartlett : You heard what Washington said. It's a shambles.
Stephen Hopkins : They're pushing you into it, Johnny!
John Adams : [waving their concerns off] What do you say, Chase?
Dr. Josiah Bartlett : Go ahead, Sam. It sounds lively as hell up there.
Samuel Chase : All right, why not? And maybe it'll be John Adams who comes to his senses.
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Chorus : [starts singing "Sit Down, John"] Sit down, John, sit down, John, For God's sake, John, sit down! / Sit down, John, sit down, John, For God's sake, John, sit down!
John Adams : Listen...
Samuel Chase : Someone ought to open up a window...
Chorus : It's 90 degrees, have mercy, John please, it's hot as hell in Philadelphia,
Samuel Chase : Someone ought to open up a window...
John Adams : I say vote yes, vote yes, vote for independency
Chorus : Someone ought to open up a window
John Adams : I say vote yes...
Chorus : Sit down, John!
John Adams : Vote for independency!
Richard Henry Lee : Someone ought to open up a window...
Chorus : No, no, no! Too many flies, too many flies, / But it's hot as hell in Philadelphia / Are you going to open up a window? / Can't we compromise here?
John Adams : Vote yes...
Chorus : No, too many flies here
John Adams : Vote yes...
Chorus : Oh, for God's sake, John, sit down!
[the song pauses]
John Adams : Good God! Consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse, for no sane man would tolerate it!
Chorus : [the song resumes] John, you're a bore, we've heard this before, / Now for God's sake, John, sit down!
John Adams : I say vote yes...
Chorus : No!
John Adams : Vote yes...
Chorus : No!
John Adams : Vote for independency!
