Righteousness alone can exalt them [America] as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practise virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.
Patrick Henry, Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches, Vol. I, p. 82
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Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessing — give us that precious jewel, and you may take every thing else! But I am fearful I have lived long enough to become an old-fashioned fellow. Perhaps an invincible attachment to the dearest rights of man may, in these refined, enlightened days, be deemed old-fashioned; if so, I am contented to be so.
I say, the time has been when every pulse of my heart beat for American liberty, and which, I believe, had a counterpart in the breast of every true American; but suspicions have gone forth — suspicions of my integrity — publicly reported that my professions are not real. Twenty-three years ago was I supposed a traitor to my country? I was then said to be the bane of sedition, because I supported the rights of my country. I may be thought suspicious when I say our privileges and rights are in danger. But, sir, a number of the people of this country are weak enough to think these things are too true.
I am happy to find that the gentleman on the other side declares they are groundless. But, sir, suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the preservation of the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds: should it fall on me, I am contented: conscious rectitude is a powerful consolation. I trust there are many who think my professions for the public good to be real. Let your suspicion look to both sides. There are many on the other side, who possibly may have been persuaded to the necessity of these measures, which I conceive to be dangerous to your liberty. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.
Patrick Henry, Speech on the Federal Constitution, Virginia Ratifying Convention (5 June 1788)
It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope and pride. 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 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.
Patrick Henry, Give me liberty or give me death speech, March 23, 1775
Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
Patrick Henry, Speech on the Federal Constitution, Virginia Ratifying Convention
It is 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!
Patrick Henry, Give me liberty, or give me death speech, 1775
Get a FREE copy of the “Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry – Volume Two” by William Wirt Henry
This is the epic story of Patrick Henry, who roused Americans to fight government tyranny—both British and American. Remembered largely for his cry for “liberty or death,” Henry was one of the first (and most colorful) of America’s Founding Fathers—first to call Americans to arms against Britain, first to demand a bill of rights, and first to fight the growth of big government after the Revolution.
As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America’s greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike.
This is history at its best, telling a story both human and philosophical. Henry’s words continue to echo across America and inspire millions to fight government intrusion in their daily lives.
To download your FREE copy of “Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry – Volume Two” by William Wirt Henry please right mouse click on the link, then select “save as” and download to your computer – Life-Correspondence-and-Speeches-of-Patrick-Henry-Volume-Two
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Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry Volume One
Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry Volume Two
Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry Volume Three
Get a FREE copy of the “Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry – Volume Three” by William Wirt Henry
This is the epic story of Patrick Henry, who roused Americans to fight government tyranny—both British and American. Remembered largely for his cry for “liberty or death,” Henry was one of the first (and most colorful) of America’s Founding Fathers—first to call Americans to arms against Britain, first to demand a bill of rights, and first to fight the growth of big government after the Revolution.
As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America’s greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike.
This is history at its best, telling a story both human and philosophical. Henry’s words continue to echo across America and inspire millions to fight government intrusion in their daily lives.
Get a FREE copy of the “Life, Correspondence & Speeches of Patrick Henry – Volume One” by William Wirt Henry
This is the epic story of Patrick Henry, who roused Americans to fight government tyranny—both British and American. Remembered largely for his cry for “liberty or death,” Henry was one of the first (and most colorful) of America’s Founding Fathers—first to call Americans to arms against Britain, first to demand a bill of rights, and first to fight the growth of big government after the Revolution.
As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America’s greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike.
This is history at its best, telling a story both human and philosophical. Henry’s words continue to echo across America and inspire millions to fight government intrusion in their daily lives.
THIS, sir, is the language of democracy – that a majority of the community have a right to alter government when found to be oppressive. But how different is the genius of your new Constitution from this! How different from the sentiments of freemen that a contemptible minority can prevent the good of the majority! If, then, gentlemen standing on this ground are come to that point, that they are willing to bind themselves and their posterity to be oppressed, I am amazed and inexpressibly astonished.
If this be the opinion of the majority, I must submit; but to me, sir, it appears perilous and destructive. I can not help thinking so. Perhaps it may be the result of my age. These may be feelings natural to a man of my years, when the American spirit has left him, and his mental powers, like the members of the body, are decayed. If, sir, amendments are left to the twentieth, or tenth part of the people of America, your liberty is gone for ever.
We have heard that there is a great deal of bribery practised in the House of Commons of England, and that many of the members raise themselves to preferments by selling the rights of the whole of the people. But, sir, the tenth part of that body can not continue oppressions on the rest of the people. English liberty is, in this case, on a firmer foundation than American liberty. It will be easily contrived to procure the opposition of the one-tenth of the people to any alteration, however judicious.
“We are cautioned by the honorable gentleman, who presides, against faction and turbulence. I acknowledge that licentiousness is dangerous, and that it ought to be provided against: I acknowledge, also, the new form of government may effectually prevent it: yet there is another thing it will as effectually do — it will oppress and ruin the people.”
– Patrick Henry, Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalist No. 4, “Foreign Wars, Civil Wars, and Indian Wars – Three Bugbears,” speech at Virginia Ratifying Convention,” June 5, 1788; Elliot 3:46
“Where is the danger? If, sir, there was any, I would recur to the American spirit to defend us; that spirit which has enabled us to surmount the greatest difficulties—to that illustrious spirit I address my most fervent prayer to prevent our adopting a system destructive to liberty.”
– Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalist No. 4, “Foreign Wars, Civil Wars, and Indian Wars—Three Bugbears,” June 5, 1788; Elliot 3:48
“No government can flourish unless it be founded on the affection of the people.”
– Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalist No. 4, “Foreign Wars, Civil Wars, and Indian Wars—Three Bugbears,” June 9, 1788; Elliot 3:151
It is not sufficient to feign mere imaginary dangers; there must be a dreadful reality. The great question between us is: Does that reality exist?
These dangers are partially attributed to bad laws, execrated by the community at large. It is said the people wish to change the government. I should be happy to meet them on that ground.
Should the people wish to change it, we should be innocent of the dangers. It is a fact that the people do not wish to change their government.”
– Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalist No. 4, “Foreign Wars, Civil Wars, and Indian Wars—Three Bugbears,” speech at Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 9, 1788; Elliot 3:151
Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?
Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress?
If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?”
– Patrick Henry, in Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Jonathan Elliot, ed. 1836, vol. 3 p. 168
