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PATRICK HENRY'S SPEECH

[Emailed by the From The East email list (FrmTheEast@aol.com) Sunday, March 11, 2001 11:54 AM.]

No man thinks more highly than I do of... patriotism. ...

But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful ... if... I should speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question ... is one of awful moment to this country. Should I keep back my opinions at such time through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all things.

"... [I]t 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 that 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 the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been .,. to justify [the] hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves. 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 ... comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. ... Let us not deceive ourselves. ... These are the implements of war and subjugation - the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask ... what means this martial array if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? ... And what have we to oppose them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for ten years last. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which was capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? Let us not ... deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to divert 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. ... Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrations 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, we may 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, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

"They tell us ... that we are weak - unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week or next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a ... 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 those means the God of Nature hath placed in our power. ... [M]illions 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 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 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, sir, let it come!

"It is in vain ... 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 the 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!".

- Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Spoken before an assembly of fellow countrymen, March 1775

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Patrick G. Bailey
Past Master, Los Altos Lodge No. 712
http://www.calodges.org/no712/
pgb@padrak.com

Webpage of the Dead Masonic Poets Society: Craftlodge.org
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