"Give Me liberty or Give Me Death" a reminder for all who has fallen on why we we fight for freedom.

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"

A speech delivered by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775.

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 questing 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 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, 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 those warlike 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 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 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. The 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!

Views: 35

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

Comment by Daniel F Swain on May 26, 2009 at 4:24pm
United we Stand and Divided we Fall. Great post!! I pray that we can unite in the cause of Liberty. We must, we must , we must!!!
Comment by Bob Brown on May 26, 2009 at 12:46am
There were no global elitists then that wanted to enslave the world population. There was no weapons of mass destruction at that time. Today there are three non-governmental entities that lead our country. There is nowhere to run and hide now. Everything is global oriented. The IRS and the Federal Reserve are not part of the federal government, yet Americans send their tax dollars to the IRS.
Comment by illuminated-dj on May 25, 2009 at 3:08pm

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega commented on Burbia's video
Thumbnail

InfoWars reporter Jamie White ‘brutally murdered’ near Austin residential area, outlet says

"We're supposed to be conditioned to accept this kind of shit! That the government will have…"
6 hours ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
8 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Disturbing Aspect of the Patterson Gimlin Film
"Thanks for your support Les Prone!"
9 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post What Would Have Happened to the US Had Harris Been Elected?
"Les Prone-no shit Dude absolutely frightening! "
9 hours ago
Burbia commented on Burbia's video
Thumbnail

InfoWars reporter Jamie White ‘brutally murdered’ near Austin residential area, outlet says

"Yeah, when his company was being auctioned off, why wasn't the starting bid 100 million?"
11 hours ago
tjdavis's blog post was featured
12 hours ago
Doc Vega's 5 blog posts were featured
12 hours ago
cheeki kea's blog post was featured
12 hours ago
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post What Would Have Happened to the US Had Harris Been Elected?
"It's too terrible to even contemplate. Kamala the president of the USA."
12 hours ago
GeneralCarlosQ17's blog post was featured

Reuters was paid millions of dollars by the US government for “large scale social deception”

Reuters was paid millions of dollars by the US government for “large scale social deception”. That…See More
12 hours ago
Burbia's blog post was featured
12 hours ago
Less Prone commented on tjdavis's blog post The Strobe Method
"Sound like another CIA project."
12 hours ago
Less Prone favorited rlionhearted_3's photo
13 hours ago
Less Prone commented on rlionhearted_3's photo
Thumbnail

On the beach in Ireland!!!

"It kind of makes sense, on the beach. Maximizing the sun tan surface area. But is it worth it?"
13 hours ago
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post Disturbing Aspect of the Patterson Gimlin Film
13 hours ago
cheeki kea commented on tjdavis's video
Thumbnail

Route 91: Uncovering the Cover Up

"Video not always showing on you tube according to comment section. I can't see it anyways but…"
yesterday
tjdavis posted a blog post
yesterday
Doc Vega favorited Burbia's video
yesterday
Doc Vega commented on Burbia's video
Thumbnail

InfoWars reporter Jamie White ‘brutally murdered’ near Austin residential area, outlet says

"Gosh do you think the Deep State was sending Alex a message? These bastards!"
yesterday
Doc Vega commented on tjdavis's video
Thumbnail

Route 91: Uncovering the Cover Up

"The lying bastards never covered one aspect of the shooter who was in bad health and couldn't…"
yesterday

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted