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FreeRepublic Fundraiser --WE WILL STAND UNITED!!!-- FreeRepublic NEEDS Your Help! (Thread 51)
9-14-01 | Americans

Posted on 09/14/2001 7:31:58 PM PDT by WIMom

PATRICK HENRY'S FAMOUS SPEECH
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Addressing the Virginia Assembly
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Mister President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth. 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 the future but by the past. Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

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 in 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 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. 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. 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 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!"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patrick Henry then took his seat. No murmur of applause was heard. The effect was too deep. After the trance of a moment, several members started from their seats. The cry, "To arms!" seemed to quiver on every lip and gleam from every eye.

No written records of this speech exist. The words were so powerful that they were etched into the minds of every man present, who later assisted biographer William Wirt to bring words to paper.

Patrick Henry lived from 1736 to 1799. This speech was given before the Virginia Provincial Convention (assembled after Lord Dunsmore had suspended the Virginia Assembly) which was debating whether to send the militia under arms to defend the colony against the Crown's Government, an act of treason.

In arguments against the Stamp Act of 1765, he said "If this be treason, let us make the most of it."


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Thread 44 -w/links to ALL prior threads


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Breaking News; News/Current Events
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To: shotabug
Hi shotabug, glad you are here too!
21 posted on 09/14/2001 7:56:46 PM PDT by harpo11
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To: harpo11
I have a tee-shirt with Rosie the Rivetor on it!
22 posted on 09/14/2001 7:57:11 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: BADJOE and Willa
A small donation winging its way to you; wish we could afford more. Thanks for all you're doing.

From the descendant of many Revolutionary War Patriots. I have their blood running in my veins . . .

God Bless America.

Love . . . .

23 posted on 09/14/2001 7:58:36 PM PDT by Arizona
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To: WIMom BeforISleep BADJOE
Well we did it...I just got in (out for burger and a pale ale) and have taken the advice to save the stamp....6 crisp C's just stuffed in a envelope and headed your way...dropping in the post tonite...Total = $1000

Freepers rule and that was fun....

Thanks Jim Rob and staff for the great Job and Service

24 posted on 09/14/2001 7:59:02 PM PDT by oneway
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To: WIMom
Evenin' bump!
25 posted on 09/14/2001 7:59:47 PM PDT by Coop
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To: Jacvin
250
26 posted on 09/14/2001 8:00:07 PM PDT by BADJOE
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To: BADJOE

Stand Tall in Liberty.
"It is our Freedom that was attacked.
And, it is our Freedom that will be steadfastly defended."

Rush Limbaugh--9/13/01


27 posted on 09/14/2001 8:01:32 PM PDT by harpo11
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To: oneway
Thank you very much for your generosity, and for caring enough to get this fundraiser going again.
28 posted on 09/14/2001 8:04:31 PM PDT by firewalk
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To: harpo11
Another $20.00 in

Thank you Freeper

29 posted on 09/14/2001 8:04:38 PM PDT by BADJOE
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To: Arizona
Thank you Arizona!
30 posted on 09/14/2001 8:05:52 PM PDT by firewalk
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To: BeforeISleep
Not at all since I swiped it from another post. I can't find the post though..........
31 posted on 09/14/2001 8:06:09 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: oneway
Very well done, Sir! Patriots around the world salute you - the next "pale ale," whatever the hell that brew happens to be - your next pale ale is on me, JL

Come on over, and I CAN get you served a very smooth Gin&Tonic at my place, FReeoples. Just ask for palo verde, a very smooth number!

32 posted on 09/14/2001 8:07:30 PM PDT by lodwick (Get on some other threads and severely chastise those moochers!)
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To: lodwick
If I could only control my fingers, or if FR had spell check.......
33 posted on 09/14/2001 8:07:47 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: Jacvin
Hey...I brought back a nice big Growler of Hefe Wiesen...it sounds as if you might like some.....

(pours pint for Jac, hands it to him)

Good Job Mate :-) Salute'

34 posted on 09/14/2001 8:08:26 PM PDT by oneway
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To: Arizona
Thanks Arizona!
35 posted on 09/14/2001 8:08:35 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: oneway
You are wonderful! Thank-you!
36 posted on 09/14/2001 8:09:20 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: Coop
hiya Coop!
37 posted on 09/14/2001 8:09:52 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: WIMom
Another $100.00 in.

Thank you Freeper.

38 posted on 09/14/2001 8:10:47 PM PDT by BADJOE
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To: BADJOE
250 what? Oh, someone donated 250k!!!!!!!!
39 posted on 09/14/2001 8:10:47 PM PDT by WIMom
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To: BADJOE
Thanks for the donation!
40 posted on 09/14/2001 8:11:36 PM PDT by WIMom
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