So I read Zinn's A People's History quite a while back (I know his book is polarizing here), but I am trying to recall some quotes he cites and I can't find them in the book this time around. I recall him referencing a least once a figure of the revolution essentially warning against 'tyranny' of the majority or even specifically regarding property. I'm really wracking my brain to halfway reproduce the quote. I believe it was one of the Adam's and it might have been in reference in the revolution being taken to far by the lower class and the fears surrounding upper class property.
I'm very sorry this was all so vague but I am having trouble locating my whits tonight... but I know this is a fairly popular quote!
Thanks everyone!
Edit: I also just thought of another quote that I'm sure everyone interested in American History is familiar with. The previous quote in question (now identified) and the following seem to go together in my mind often, when I can remember..
"Landholders ought to have a share in the government, to support these invaluable interests, and to balance and check the other. They ought to be so constituted as to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority. The senate, therefore, ought to be this body; and to answer these purposes, they ought to have permanency and stability."-James Madison
Try /r/tipofmytongue also
Perhaps one of these two?
"Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit -- appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free." Joseph Warren
"These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their county; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." Thomas Paine
Neither of them are an Adams, I know, but they're the only quotes directly addressing tyranny I can remember. Hopefully this helps!
Is this what you are thinking of? "There is, then, no possible way of defending the minority ... from the tyranny of the majority, but by giving the former a negative on [a veto over governmental decisions and actions proposed by] the latter."
John Adams, A DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (1787-1788).