When freedom shivers in the path of true peril it is always the patriots who first hear the call. When loss of liberty is looming as it is now the siren sounds first in the hearts of freedoms vanguard the smoke in the air of our Concord Bridges and Pearl Harbors is always smelled first by the farmers. Who come from their simple homes to find the fire and fight, because they know that sacred stuff resides in that wooden stock and blued steel.
Something that gives the most common man the most uncommon of freedoms. When ordinary hands can possess such and extraordinary instrument that symbolizes the full measure of human dignity and liberty.
That is why those 5 words issue an irresistible call with all and we must. So as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those fighting words, for everyone within the sound of my voice, to hear and to head, and especially for you Mr. Gore "From my Cold Dead Hands".
Charlton Heston (addressing the 2000 NRA Convention)
I was there. Or maybe that was o1? Orlando.
He then made a sort of farewell campaign tour. Stopped in nearby, appeared fairly well addled. That last tour toppled him over. Sad!
But hey, a fighter till the end, in full knowledge of the cost and importance of the battle.
There are some typographical errors in your transcriptions.
...always smelled first by the farmers. Who come from their simple homes to find the fire and fight, because they know that sacred stuff resides in that wooden stock and blued steel.
Very good. Indeed it is the farming class that is the cornerstone of freedom: not the hired hands, not the sophisticates with degrees but a farmer who is a complete microcosm of human race and has the mentality of the human race crystallized in him, in entirety.