| Patrick Henry - 03/23/1775 |
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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 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 questing 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 toward 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 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 [Jer. 5:21], 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 [Matt. 26:48]. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our
petition comports with those 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 motive
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 upon 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. 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 those means which the God of
nature hath placed in our power. The 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 [2 Chron.
32:8]. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone [Eccl. 9:11]; 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 [Jer. 6:14].
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 [Matt. 20:6]? 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!
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