In Support of Patrick Henry

PATRICK HENRY – March 23, 1775. 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 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, 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!