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Speech to the Virginia Convention
An Argument For
War
Speech to the Virginia Convention
Patrick Henry
March, 1775
1) Mr. President[1]: 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.
2) 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 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.
3) 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.
4) 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[2] 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[3]
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.
5) 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[4],
if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other
possible motive for it? Has
6) 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.
7) 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[5]
have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications[6]
have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot
of the throne!
8) 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[7]
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 by
irresolution and inaction?
9) Shall we acquire the means of effectual
resistance by lying supinely[8]
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. Three 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.
10) Besides, sir, we have no election[9].
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
11) The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I
repeat it, sir, let it come.
12) It is in vain, sir, to extenuate[10]
the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war
is actually begun! The next gale[11]
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!
Copyright thiesmeyer.net 2014
[1] Mr. President – President of the 2nd Virginia
Convention, Peyton Randolph
[2] Solace – V. To give comfort or consolation
[3] Snare – N. A trap
[4] Martial array – N. Accumulation of soldiers and implements of war
[5] Remonstrances – N. Protests; objections
[6] Supplication – N. Pleas; the begging for an object/idea
[7] Inviolate – Adj. Unsoiled; pure; unmolested
[8] Supinely – Adv. To lay on one’s
back with the face up and the hands at the sides
[9] Election – N. Choice
[10] Extenuate – V. To make seem less important or worthy
[11] Gale – N. A very strong wind (as
in a storm)