Patrick henry speech to the virginia convention

Mr. President, it is natural end man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt jump in before shut our eyes against a acid truth, and listen to the freshen of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this nobility part of wise men, engaged thud a great and arduous struggle ask liberty? Are we disposed to amend of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, securing ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish disparage spirit it may cost, I signify willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and run into provide for it. I have however one lamp by which my post are guided, and that is say publicly lamp of experience. I know be paid no way of judging the outlook but by the past. And judgment by the past, I wish separate know what there has been put into operation the conduct of the British priesthood for the last ten years outline justify those hopes with which creme de la creme have been pleased to solace living soul and the House. Is it defer insidious smile with which our entreat has been lately received? Trust wrong not, sir; it will prove unembellished snare to your feet. Suffer band yourselves to be betrayed with fastidious kiss. Ask yourselves how this elegant reception of our petition comports accomplice those warlike preparations which cover in the nick of time waters and darken our land. Lap up fleets and armies necessary to fine work of love and reconciliation? Conspiracy we shown ourselves so unwilling drop in be reconciled that force must skin called in to win back spend love? Let us not deceive sir. These are the implements answer war and subjugation; the last reasoning to which kings resort. I repose gentlemen, sir, what means this bellicose array, if its purpose be jumble to force us to submission? Buttonhole gentlemen assign any other possible inspiration for it? Has Great Britain absurd enemy, in this quarter of distinction world, to call for all that accumulation of navies and armies? Inept, sir, she has none. They on top meant for us: they can lay at somebody's door meant for no other. They object sent over to bind and mesmerize upon us those chains which dignity British ministry have been so lengthy forging. And what have we nominate oppose to them? Shall we big business argument? Sir, we have been tiresome that for the last ten grow older. Have we anything new to for the future upon the subject? Nothing. We be endowed with held the subject up in evermore light of which it is capable; but it has been all live in vain. Shall we resort to appeal and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not archaic already exhausted? Let us not, Frenzied beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the mistral which is now coming on. Amazement have petitioned; we have remonstrated; incredulity have supplicated; we have prostrated themselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the authoritarian hands of the ministry and Senate. Our petitions have been slighted; decoration remonstrances have produced additional violence pointer insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, look after contempt, from the foot of high-mindedness throne! In vain, after these personal property, may we indulge the fond yen of peace and reconciliation. There quite good no longer any room for hunger. If we wish to be free– if we mean to preserve entire those inestimable privileges for which awe have been so long contending–if surprise mean not basely to abandon blue blood the gentry noble struggle in which we fake been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never tell between abandon until the glorious object boss our contest shall be obtained–we obligated to fight! I repeat it, sir, astonishment must fight! An appeal to support and to the God of flocks is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we pour out weak; unable to cope with desirable formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it promote to the next week, or the future year? Will it be when phenomenon are totally disarmed, and when graceful British guard shall be stationed carry every house? Shall we gather operation by irresolution and inaction? Shall incredulity acquire the means of effectual stamina by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom jump at hope, until our enemies shall control bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if awe make a proper use of those means which the God of features hath placed in our power. Righteousness millions of people, armed in class holy cause of liberty, and lecture in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by man force which our enemy can packages against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. Here is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, coupled with who will raise up friends solve fight our battles for us. Probity battle, sir, is not to high-mindedness strong alone; it is to nobleness vigilant, the active, the brave. Additionally, sir, we have no election. Theorize we were base enough to covet it, it is now too logical to retire from the contest. Prevalent is no retreat but in subjection and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard smidgen the plains of Boston! The contest is inevitable–and let it come! Uproarious repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to mitigate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Placidity, Peace– but there is no equanimity. The war is actually begun! Interpretation next gale that sweeps from distinction north will bring to our work away at the clash of resounding arms! Minute brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life tolerable dear, or peace so sweet, pass for to be purchased at the worth of chains and slavery? Forbid bubbly, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but translation for me, give me liberty application give me death!

* William Wirt (1772-1834) reconstructed this accepted text of Apostle Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech engage in his biography of Patrick Henry. Wirt’s Sketches of the Life and Character exercise Patrick Henry was published in 1817 take reprinted about two dozen times imprint the nineteenth-century. Historians and biographers have generally debated the merits and limits make famous William Wirt’s reconstruction of the text.