Samuel Adams wrote:

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security” (Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor, The Writings of Samuel Adams [New York: G. P. Putnam’s, 1905], Vol. 4, p. 124).