Recently, I was reading the Patrick Henry 1775 "Call to Arms" speech. As I read the speech in it's entirety, I realized something very chilling... I realized, that if you changed only a couple words in the speech, someone would never know it was written over 236 years ago. Example... While you read this post, try replacing the words "Ministry & Parliament" with "House & Congress".
While you read the post below, try to place yourself in the room with the speaker. Imagine yourself standing right next to Patric Henry as he's giving his historic speech. I will bet however, that you will still find your mind wondering to the events of today and your minds eye will have a hard time staying in the distant past.
The Call To Arms
Patrick Henry
1775
Mr. President, it is natural to a man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth. Is this the part of a 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 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 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 meant 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 so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon, until they 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 Host is all that is left of us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak- unable to cope with so formidable of an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally dis-armed? 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 us bound hand and foot?
Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which 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 destines 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.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentleman may cry "Peace, peace." - but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand here idle? What is it that gentleman wish? What would they have? Us 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!
(Quoted from Dynamic Freedoms- revised edition 1977)
Patrick Henry asked some very important questions 236 years ago, and are still valid questions today.
1. Is it wise to engage in a great and arduous struggle for liberty with our eyes closed?
2. Are we to be like those, who, having eyes, cannot see, and having ears, cannot hear? Even when it concerns their temporal salvation?
3. 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 us bound hand and foot?
4. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
The basic answer to all of these questions was than and will forever be, NO!
So I ask all of you now...
When will we be stronger?
Will it be next week? or next year?
Will it be when we are totally disarmed?
I too, know of no way of judging the future, but by the past and as Patrick Henry famously stated...
"There is no longer any room for HOPE!" "The War is actually begun!" "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
