Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry, 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 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, 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 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. 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!

Today Obama signs the health-care bill.

"My guns, my money, my freedom...."

Kinda selfish if you ask me, all those "me"s.

I bet Jesus would have voted for the bill.

Originally posted by Merigold
"My guns, my money, my freedom...."

Kinda selfish if you ask me, all those "me"s.

I bet Jesus would have voted for the bill.

It's not even about the bill anymore. They voted it in when the majority of the American citizens didn't want it. They are suppose to be deciding for the people. The people don't want it. If I was a Senate member or a representative, I would vote no on the bill, although I am for it. I would vote no because the Americans don't want it. My vote would be for the people, not for my values and beliefs. A topic like this is to important to vote against the will of the people.

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Phlynx]

I am glad that someone thought to post this today. This was certainly a significant day in our nation's history. Sadly, this probably isn't even taught any longer in our schools.

Oh the irony between the events of the past and this little event of the day.

I like this component of the speech,

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.

And one of my quotes

For no real free man will ever be truly free, without the very responsibilities that entails. One must not look at any other, to expect them to provide your Freedom. It is your responsibility alone, to furnish the very Liberty you desire. Freedom is wrought with peril, Liberty is wrought with responsibility, both are but just a dream that you; I; and all of the world, must pursue with our very lives, if necessary. THE ENDISNIGHE

[edit on 3/23/2010 by endisnighe]

Originally posted by jibeho
I am glad that someone thought to post this today. This was certainly a significant day in our nation's history. Sadly, this probably isn't even taught any longer in our schools.

Oh the irony between the events of the past and this little event of the day.

Numbers and dates and their symbolism mean much to me, and significant.

[edit on 033131p://bTuesday2010 by Stormdancer777]

reply to post by endisnighe

It is your responsibility alone, to furnish the very Liberty you desire.

Indeed!

reply to post by Phlynx


Yes, for the people, our representatives have forgotten their role.



[edit on 033131p://bTuesday2010 by Stormdancer777]

Originally posted by Merigold
"My guns, my money, my freedom...."

Kinda selfish if you ask me, all those "me"s.

I bet Jesus would have voted for the bill.

In my lifetime I have noticed many things and one of them is the people that are saying what would Jesus do are usually the one's that follow his teachings the least. It's the whole you have so much farther to fall thing. So save you holier than now attitude for yourself and lead by example and not preaching.

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Subjective Truth]

Originally posted by Merigold
"My guns, my money, my freedom...."

Kinda selfish if you ask me, all those "me"s.

I bet Jesus would have voted for the bill.

I guess one has to experience the loss of freedom to fully understand what they lost.

" 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! "

Most Americans today do not have a Clue to what Patrick Henry was implying here . In order to be Free , you Must FIGHT for your Freedom as an American against All enimies Forign and Domestic ! .........When the Sheep are finally brought to Slaughter, their cries will be the Loudest.............Sigh .

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Zanti Misfit]

reply to post by Zanti Misfit

When the Sheep are finally brought to Slaughter, their cries will be the Loudest.............Sigh .

Very insightful, Zanti.

Originally posted by Subjective Truth

Originally posted by Merigold
"My guns, my money, my freedom...."

Kinda selfish if you ask me, all those "me"s.

I bet Jesus would have voted for the bill.

In my lifetime I have noticed many things and one of them is the people that are saying what would Jesus do are usually the one's that follow his teachings the least. It's the whole you have so much farther to fall thing. So save you holier than now attitude for yourself and lead by example and not preaching.



[edit on 23-3-2010 by Subjective Truth]

Excellent point! Reminds me of a fella I used to work with. He proudly wore his WWJD bracelet to work everyday and even got others to wear one as well. About six months into his bracelet fad he was arrested and subsequently convicted of spousal and child abuse. I now know why they were always having artwork "reframed" throughout the house and the hole in the drywall wasn't from a baseball thrown by his son. Hey, but he wore the bracelet.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


Thank You . It is the Truth in my eyes . I love my Country , and want desperately for my fellow Americans who do not see the Dangers that Indiffrence to those thast Represent us will lead to .

What would Jesus do, that is the question we should be asking!

Just kidding, I'm not even Christian so who gives a rats arse what Jesus would say.

Originally posted by Zanti Misfit
reply to post by Stormdancer777

 

Thank You . It is the Truth in my eyes . I love my Country , and want desperately for my fellow Americans who do not see the Dangers that Indiffrence to those thast Represent us will lead to .

This is the first time in my life I am afraid for America, I usually, even through I have been through many hardships, felt safe,

I don't feel safe any longer,

Here is the thing that bothers me most, I truly am afraid for my grandchildren and great grandchildren, I think the younger generation have become complacent, and take for granted what has been given them,

Many think of only today, and instant gratification,

reply to post by Stormdancer777


Stormdancer I agree. And I too feel the same way. And it is breaking my heart.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


So true , and most don't realize what they have untill it is taken away . We must Remind them constantly that the World is ever changing , and sometimes Not for the better.......

reply to post by Misoir


Wow, Misoir what the hell does this thread have to do with Jesus?

Is it a response to someone's comment.

Please try to use discretion when defaming someone's faith.

You just lost a LOT of respect in my eyes. The founding peeps of the US had a very strong spiritual side, but they knew that part of their future would be tasked with spiritual persecution. So they set up the Bill of Rights to protect all spiritual rights.

Sorry, do not see the purpose of your comment, except your attempt to garnish attention.

Hold back on the attempt to incite emotion. For emotion runneth deep, and to incite that emotion, you could release persecution.

Thanks for posting Patrick Henry's timeless speech from the court hearing held at St. John's Church in Richmond Virginia on this very day 1775. What happened today was insult to every American's liberty and right to choose. Now, they have been impressed with a tax akin to the income tax, and are threatened with stiff fines and imprisonment for not having health insurance. Dates are significant and this decision by the federal government being made today is important. It is a wake-up call for those who have forgotten what liberty is and our rights under the constitution. They have clearly been violated and a pack of jackals has burrowed themselves in the halls of power in Washington.

I am absolutely dumbfounded by some who support this insult and abomination before us. Maybe, they will understand what they gave up when they lose their jobs, or take a decrease in pay, or have to decide whether to provide shelter, food, and clothing for themselves and children, rather than honor the mandate or tax for health insurance. I am certain the tax man will hear none of the excuses and will be more than ready to set up a nice prison cell for them when they are unable to pay the fine. This is not a game and is very serious!

This is like when Caesar and his army crossed the Rubicon over 2000 years ago, and is just as significant for the United States of America as it was for the Roman Republic. Moreover, this recent motion to increase federal authority is tyranny under the veil of a humanitarian gesture by government. The reason I call it tyranny, is the simple notion that much of the population was opposed to this bill and their elected representatives passed it regardless. A monster has been created over the weekend and today. We are in for one heck of a ride when this thing reaches fruition. Star and Flag!

[edit on 23-3-2010 by Jakes51]