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Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, Part two.
”The Devil and the American Birthright”
Mr. President, members of the Senate, and this LAME Duck Congress
March 23, 1775- Timeless
By Patrick Henry- & Jim Kelly
No man thinks more highly than I do of 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 members of Congress 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 the 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, members of the Senate, and this LAME Duck Congress. 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 numbers 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. As Patriots, we CAN NOT sit idle and watch the value of personal freedom being questioned, We CANNOT SIT IDLE and listen to the False promises of President Obama, and members of Congress today.
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 WHITE HOUSE, THE SENATE , AND THE HOUSE for the last few years to justify those hopes with which Congress have been pleased to solace themselves. Is it that insidious smile with which our petitions has been lately received?
Trust it not,Patriots; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss from Pelosi,Reid or other members of Congress. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petitions comports with those warlike preparations, By Homeland Security, The Fairness Doctrine,and by various bills these “Representatives of Ours” wish to pass in this Lame Duck session. All of which cover our waters and darken our land. 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 subjugation; the last arguments to which Kings and Tyrants resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array of Homeland Security, Fema, TSA,The Dream act, Nationalized Health Care,and the like, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlement assign any other possible motive for it then to strip away Americas Birthright. Has a call by Congress and Obama for all this accumulation of security and financial hardship on the American people truly absolutely necessary? No, sir,she has none. They are meant for us, the Legal American citizen, The working man and woman…the “people” of America… they can be meant for no other. They are used to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the The White House under Obama, with the minions of Reid and Pelosi 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 few 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? Congress turns their deaf ear on the people. 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 of God and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the Congress and White House.. Our petitions to Congress have been slighted; The Judges side, for money or power with those in charge. Our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the very White House itself. 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 continue to fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! 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 Homeland Security guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but 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 Congress and the Current President shall have bound us hand and foot? Patriots, 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, speaking 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, in the streets of Texas, and every State in this Glorious Union. It is becoming inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. Let the voices of the Patriots be as thunder across this land.
It is,in reality becoming vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Timid men may cry, Peace, Peace–but there is no peace.This Nation was not founded by cowards and cowards will not preserve it! The suppression from Washington is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding Patriots. Our brethren are already in the fields! Patriots, don’t stand 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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