When Patrick Henry addressed the Second Virginia Convention with a resolution to raise the militia against their British opponents, what resulted was perhaps one of the most memorable speeches of the founding-era. His words are sure to stir the same emotions in one's heart today, as they did 234 years ago. His warnings as relevant today as ever! As we will soon celebrate our Independence Day let us recall the examples of such men as Patrick Henry and his genuine love of God, country and most especially freedom.

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 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. 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!

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Pat Henry said:

Immortal words 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. Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.... Spiritual battle will be first; and repentance on our part is needed, for we will not win from a position of unrighteousness. Governor Henry understood we are a Christian nation; God is just, and does not wink at sin (though he readily forgives when it is repented of). I recommend the recent book by Cindy Jacobs -- a call to "legislate in the heavenlies" in order to make the way to take back the 7 cultural mountians -- titled The Reformation Manifesto. It will stir your hearts and give spiritual direction for the battles we face ... and can win.

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July 01, 2009
Votes: +5

danwhitehead1 said:

	Agreed - - - And agreed and agreed. I could not agree more whole heartedly. It's time to stand up and crush those who think they have the right to rule.
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July 02, 2009
Votes: +1

elishock said:

Agreed Indeed When Patrick Henry spoke those words, the greatest threat to liberty was from without, from Britain. Today the United States' greatest threat to liberty is from within. From inside our own White House, our own legislative halls. Indeed, when will we be stronger? Will it be when WE are totally disarmed and when the National Guard shall be stationed in every house? I believe a Revolution is inevitable, and I say, Let It Come! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!

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July 02, 2009
Votes: +0

Peter Steele said:

RE: Freedom. God and Economics Two ancestors Robert Treat Paine and Stephen Hopkins signed the Declaration of Independence and Perez Steele fought for General Israel Putnam and General George Washington. My Dad, God Bless Him, earned the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation in 1957 for speaking out against leviathian government, communism, and big labor unions. I am due for a Valley Forge Freedom Foundation award if my book is published. The CFR is against our freedoms and our country as they and the UN got us into bloody and undeclared wars like Korea and Vietnam and now Iraq and Afghanistan which could be no win. Ron Paul is my favorite Republican. BGen Peter F. Steele, USMC [Ret] son of the late RADM Peter Steele, USN

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July 03, 2009
Votes: +2

Pat Henry said:

	for posterity "It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." --Patrick Henry
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July 08, 2009
Votes: +1

Stophel said:

	Patrick Henry Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution almost to his dying day (he did relent, and finally accepted an appointed position, but died before taking the office). Patrick Henry was a prophet.
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July 09, 2009
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