A remembrance of Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.
Norm July 4, 2007
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism and abilities of the very worthy gentlemen who are within earshot of my voice. But different men often see the same subject in a different light; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought as 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 American People 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 proportionate 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 would 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.
It is natural for 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 resigned 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 know of no way of judging the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the U.S Government for the last 7 years to justify those hopes with which Americans have been pleased to solace themselves. Is it the The Federal Reserve Bank counterfeiting the dollar? Or is it Patriot Act or the Military Commissions Act or Presidential Directive 51? Trust them not, my fellow Americans. These will all prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Are recently passed laws that remove our freedoms a work of love, providing hope for a safe future for us? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to love our country that we must give up Liberty for safety? Let us not deceive ourselves, fellow Americans. These are the implements of slavery and subjugation; the last arguments to which tyrants resort.
I ask gentlemen, what do the passing of these laws and the signing of Presidential Directives mean if their purpose is not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has the Executive Branch of our government any enemy, foreign or domestic that would call for all of this accumulation and centralization of powers? No, fellow Americans, it has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent to bind and rivet upon us those chains, which the One World Order has been so long forging. And what have we to oppose them?
Shall we try argument? My fellow Americans, many have been trying for several years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. Some of us have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has all been in vain. Should we resort to urgent requests and humble supplication that fall on deaf ears?
I beseech you fellow Americans, let us not deceive ourselves. Some of us 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. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrance’s may very well have produced additional loss of freedom and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt by the globalist controlled media, yes even from the very foot of the Oval Office. In vain, after these things, are we to 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 the purity of our inestimable privileges for which we have so long enjoyed--if we do not 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 wake up. I repeat it, fellow Americans, we must wake up! We are nearly to the point that our only recourse is an appeal to arms and to the God of hosts!
They think of us fellow Americans that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when are we going to be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed or when a Department of Homeland Security guard or a U.N. soldier is stationed at every house? Will 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 has placed, in our power.
Millions of people, armed with the holy cause of liberty and in such a nation, as we possess, are invincible by any force with which our enemy can send against us. Besides fellow Americans, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations who will go before us in battle. For the revolution gentleman, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
It is too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking can be heard from Brussels to the hills surrounding the Potomac! The Ron Paul Revolution is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, fellow Americans, let it come.
It is vain to attempt to lesson the severity and seriousness of the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. Gentleman may cry safety, safety, but there is no safety. The Ron Paul Revolution is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the Congress may bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? Is life so dear or safety 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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