Yesterday, back in 1775 Patrick Henry gave his famous speech when the continental congress was debating whether to actually succeed from the British empire or just try to work out the differences inside the British system. Blood has already been shed in this conflict, for the Boston Massacre had happened earlier and the feelings of succession was running hot.
Patrick Henry would prove to be the rhetorical backbone of the American Revolution, crafting speeches on the spot, with no notes, that held equal amounts of verbal fire and reasoned accuracy. His clear, concise cases for the necessity of the revolution and the primacy of individual liberty combined with his artful, inspiring method of delivery have made his speeches true American classics that endure to this day.
I keep on thinking that the present America, the government has done far worse than the British did and back then the people were concerned about freedom, life was a struggle to survive from the elements, disease, and the occasional Indian attack. You live in the razors edge of life and you believed in your freedom to choose your destiny. Many people had left England for a better life in the colonies and were very keen on the opportunities that were present here. Now in this day people are content, they get EBT, and other benefits, so they are not "hungry" in the spiritual sense for freedom. They are more interested in keeping the benefits coming and will vote accordingly. My how the mighty have fallen. We that still believe in the dream of America are frequently shouted down by the ones that are content to suck off the government teat for their sustenance.
St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia March 23, 1775.
NO
man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as
abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the
House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights;
and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to
those gentlemen, if entertaining, as I do, opinions of a character very
opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely,
and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before
the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I
consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery. And
in proportion to the magnitude of the subject, ought to be the freedom
of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at
truth and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our
country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of
giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my
country and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven which
I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr.
President it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We
are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth - and listen to the
song of the siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part
of wise men engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we
disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and
having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal
salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.
I
have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of
experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the
conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those
hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and
the house? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been
lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet.
Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how
this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike
preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and
armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown
ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to
win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the
implements of war and subjugation - the last arguments to which kings
resort.
I
ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array if its purpose be not
to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible
motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the
world to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir,
she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.
They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the
British ministry have been so long forging.
And
what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have
been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer
on the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of
which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to
entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have
not been already exhausted?
Let
us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have
done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now
coming on. We have petitioned - we have remonstrated - we have
supplicated - we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have
implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the
ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our
remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our
supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with
contempt, from the foot of the throne.
In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.
If we wish to be free - if we mean to preserve inviolate those
inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending - if we
mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so
long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until
the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained - we must fight! I
repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of
Hosts is all that is left us!
They
tell us, sir, that we are weak - unable to cope with so formidable an
adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or
the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a
British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather
strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of
effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the
delusive phantom of Hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and
foot?
Sir,
we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of
nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the
holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess,
are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
Besides,
sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who
presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to
fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone;
it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no
election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to
retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and
slavery! Our chains are forged, their clanking may be heard on the
plains of Boston! The war is inevitable - and let it come! I repeat it,
sir, let it come!
It
is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace,
peace - but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale
that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of
resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we
here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life
so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains
and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may
take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
Thanks, It's been a long time since I've read that speech in its entirety. You're right, it's very appropriateto this day and age. I just hope that we truly recognize that.
ReplyDeleteMost appropriate. Gave me tingly warm feelings of America.
ReplyDeleteMost appropriate. Gave me tingly warm feelings of America.
ReplyDeleteIt would be laughed at today... dammit.
ReplyDeleteIt would be laughed at today... dammit.
ReplyDeleteActually, Lexington and Concord are 3 weeks in the future and Breed's Hill will follow in 2 months. The meeting was the Virginia House of Burgesses that had been run out of the capital, Williamsburg by Lord Dunmore the royal Governor. The matter at hand was whether to fund the militia in the event of a conflict with the crown and the vote after Henry's speech was carried by a single vote.
ReplyDeletehey 45..Dangit I hate to make mistakes. You are correct, this is what I get for rushing a post. I will make corrections. Thanks
Delete