St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia March 23 1775

[GS78]

MR. PRESIDENT: 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 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 fulfil 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 offence, 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, 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 war-like 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 free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if 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. 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 inevitable²and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but 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!


http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/po ... giveme.cfm

[GS78]

wow, he was an extremist...... (this would never be allowed today, not in this country).....

[GS78]

I find it extremely vexing that in times like we are living through right now, and especially since Sundays' revolting developments in the District of Columbia, that this speech by Patrick Henry, on the two-hundred and thrity fifth anniversary to the day, would not even inspire one comment. Its disheartening at the very least. I realize there are much more important things to discuss, such as "if we are allowed to carry this weapon or that, in this situation or another, and WHAT IF!! we are discovered to be doing so?


I hope at least some of you read the entire speech that was given in Richmond, at one of the very first townhall meetings this nation has ever known. Read it again, and picture yourself in his shoes... because we are in his shoes.

Does anyone know why the IRS has been designated to be the authoritative entity of this healthcare plan?, excuse me, LAW?

Because while the republicants are bringing suit on the basis of a conflict of the commerce laws, they are in denial of the fact that Federal Law SUPERCEDES state law when it comes to TAXATION!! Thats right, you can say well its a violation of the commerce laws to force a person to "buy" a specific policy.....BUT, as long as the enforcement is under the taxation department(IRS) we can do nothing but submit. On this day 235 years ago, Patrick Henry was predicting our future.

[gunderwood]

Thank you for posting this. Isn't it interesting how we whitewash our history? If arguing for the same principals as the founding fathers makes you an enemy of the state, what does it say about your government?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Declaration of Independance

I ask all of you, is the underlined section true?

[gunderwood]

How come we don't have these sort of discussions in churches any more? That's right, the IRS! Host a session like this today and you won't be a church long...

[GS78]

How come we don't have these sort of discussions in churches any more? That's right, the IRS! Host a session like this today and you won't be a church long...

Well I am sure you know why.... The church in America is beholden to the Government, not the other way around. The entire hierarchy of our national political structure is fallacious . If you read the speech, and invision YOURSELF as HIM, in his circumstance, and with his passion....using the many references to God and Heaven and His Majesty and his hand in our very LIBERTY!...and then realize that we are where we are because God has taken his hand from us, NO! we as a nation have pushed his hand away from us, and now we as a nation are going to suffer the consequence. We have allowed this country to become a god unto itself, and this god does not need any others and will not tolerate any .

[GS78]

The truth is that its not only churches that are affraid to speak against this new god, our benevolent politicians who provide for all our needs.....it is also a majority of the people, and that is just going to grow as more people become dependant and obliged to this beast power. Don't pass me the tin foil just yet, did anyone else think it strange that the President of the U S of A, would publicly shun the Israeli PM?, intentionally trying to embarrass him and influence his decisions for his own countrymen?. Meeting with him reluctantly and in a highly secretive manner sent a specific and encouraging message to the enemies of both Israel and the United States. If you know anything of prophecy that should have perked your ears up, but prophecy aside, for those who hold it in disregard,... what message did that send to the Muslim world?...to the Persians? and lastly to our friends?

[GS78]

54 views, 6 posts and 4 are mine. Pathetic.



"to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"

....in other words, soon to replace these old ones,.....

" to fundementally change the way things are done in America to better reflect our disire to make everything more fair, we will transform this nation into what our vision of happiness and safety means to you.....trust us."

[gunderwood]

54 views, 6 posts and 4 are mine. Pathetic.



"to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"

....in other words, soon to replace these old ones,.....

" to fundementally change the way things are done in America to better reflect our disire to make everything more fair, we will transform this nation into what our vision of happiness and safety means to you.....trust us."

Apparently you, I and old Henry are too radical.

[Palladin]

First view tonite - thanks for posting this...

'sway past my bedtime, so I'll come back later to comment.

'ol Stupak suffered himself to be betrayed by a kiss...

gnite

[GS78]

54 views, 6 posts and 4 are mine. Pathetic.



"to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"

....in other words, soon to replace these old ones,.....

" to fundementally change the way things are done in America to better reflect our disire to make everything more fair, we will transform this nation into what our vision of happiness and safety means to you.....trust us."

Apparently you, I and old Henry are too radical.

well as long as its just a few of us, the government won't have a problem.

[zephyp]

The title of this could easily be -- St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia 22 February 2019.

Who would the speaker be addressing? obama? I think not. Perhaps one true patriot to another. Or one true patriot to an august body he or she wished to persuade?

In this case who will be the speaker? Who will be the audience? Would such a meeting be tolerated by our current government? If not, then are they the "King of England?" Be advised that our current laws would not be tolerant of such rhetoric publicly spoken at such a gathering.

More pragmatically, will we still exist on the proposed day as we do today? Only time will tell...

-------------------------------------------

Excerpt from the personal diary of a lone conservative - 22 February 2030

The last of the patriots are gone. They are all dead and I alone stand as the last bastion of freedom. I am all alone and hungry. I have no food and the water source here is very dirty. I used my last round of ammunition several days ago to kill a sick dog for food. I was frightened that they would hear the shot. I waited for hours but no one came. I know they are nearby and listening but I will not give up. My men died fighting for something that went by the wayside many years ago. I would not let the cries of their blood keep me from my task. I am afraid to ask the people in the village for help. They are constantly watched and I have long since lost track of where the cameras are located. What will happen if I surrender and beg for mercy. This flag of stars and stripes is all I have left to wave if I do so. I wonder if the socialist troops have any food or medical supplies. The last intelligence report I received several weeks ago tells me otherwise. Perhaps I will just wait until they come...I'm sure I can hold this banner up for a little while longer...

[gunderwood]

Be advised that our current laws would not be tolerant of such rhetoric publicly spoken at such a gathering.

Yup, it isn't just the 2nd that is under attack.

[zephyp]

Be advised that our current laws would not be tolerant of such rhetoric publicly spoken at such a gathering.

Yup, it isn't just the 2nd that is under attack.

Indeed and this is why I think we as gun owners should be interested in a wider variety of politics. The 2nd is NOT truly under attack yet by the political machine. They are going for the soft underbelly right now. When they are done with that they will still be hungry and start chewing the harder stuff...we must stand up against attacks on all our rights -- not just the 2nd. If we dont speak up for the others, there will be none to speak up for us...

[smc331]

Be advised that our current laws would not be tolerant of such rhetoric publicly spoken at such a gathering.

Yup, it isn't just the 2nd that is under attack.

Indeed and this is why I think we as gun owners should be interested in a wider variety of politics. The 2nd is NOT truly under attack yet by the political machine. They are going for the soft underbelly right now. When they are done with that they will still be hungry and start chewing the harder stuff...we must stand up against attacks on all our rights -- not just the 2nd. If we dont speak up for the others, there will be none to speak up for us...

Amen, Amen, and Amen - in the ever immortal words of Benjamin Franklin:

"We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
-In the Continental Congress just before signing
the Declaration of Independence, 1776.

"It is a common observation here (Paris) that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own."
-Letter to Samuel Cooper, 1777

"Thus the great and hazardous enterprise we have been engaged in is, God be praised, happily completed. A few years of peace will improve, will restore and increase our strength; but our future will depend on our union and our virtue. Let us, therefore, beware of being lulled into a dangerous security; and of being both enervated and impoverished by luxury; of being weakened by internal contentions and divisions."
-Letter to Charles Thomson, from Paris, 1784,
just after signing the Peace Treaty

"Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but nothing in this world is certain but death and taxes."
-Letter to M. Leroy, 1789.

We would do very well to heed the words of the Founders - those ol' boys knew from whence they spake.