Chuck Roots
12 February 2018
www.chuckroots.com
The Ripon Bulletin
Homage to
Patrick Henry
School was a drudgery for me. I don’t
mean the school itself. My teachers were very patient and helpful. The teachers
I had throughout elementary, junior and senior high always dressed well. The
men wore a coat and tie, and the ladies wore dresses or skirt/blouse combos. I
wanted to like the subjects, such as math, science, English composition, and so
on, but it was a continuous struggle for me to earn the barest of passing
grades.
The one subject I always gravitated
to was history. World history, Ancient history, American history – it didn’t
matter. It was fascinating to me how others lived their lives and dealt with life’s
challenges.
In particular, I loved American
history, and still do to this day. Of special interest to me is the
Revolutionary period from 1770-1790. This was the time of trial for an emerging
nation faced with internal conflict and external threat from the parent nation,
Great Britain, forcing the colonists to kowtow to the King of England and the pernicious
offing’s of a self-absorbed monarchy . . . or else!
The colonists who were already
settled in New England and the eastern seaboard enjoyed a thriving commercial venture
with the parent nation, England. Tea, tobacco, and cotton were just a few of
the products brought in or shipped out of the colonies. However, the government
of England ignored the growing complaints from the slighted colonists who took
umbrage to the fact that their attempts at being heard suffered a cold shoulder
by a callous, uncaring monarchy. Instead, they were given short-shrift, often
never giving audience to distant aggrieved loyal American subjects. Some historians
suggest that as many as one third of the colonists were opposed to war with Britain.
These American colonists were faithful
to the British crown, believing that their hard work and steadfast dedication as
subjects to an ever-growing British influence world-wide would be to their benefit.
Such wishful thinking was not to be.
Colonists struggled under the
increasing taxation levied against them. In addition, they resented the
heavy-handed manner imposed by a British military requiring by force the
housing of troops in American homes against the will of the home owners.
Further grievances included a deaf ear from the British parliament concerning a
myriad of issues the colonists felt were wrongly imposed on them. Thus, the cry
of “No Taxation without Representation” was given a voice. A forced religious acceptance
(the Church of England), a free press, and a host of other protests were gaining
traction within the American colonies.
So, on March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry
stood to speak at St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia. It is often listed as
the “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!” speech. The British army and navy had
amassed along the shoreline of Virginia. This was not a church service, or a
meeting of the congregants. No, this was a meeting of the Second Virginia Convention,
meeting in a church far away from the capital which was then Williamsburg. In
so doing, the delegates hoped not to incite reprisals from the British
Lieutenant Governor.
Patrick Henry listened to various
speakers, all recommending supplication to the British crown. Henry had heard
enough of this blather. He is literally disgusted with the quisling attitude of
his fellow Americans colonists.
In the remainder of this article I
will share snippets of Patrick Henry’s speech. It should genuinely stir a flow
of patriotic blood coursing through your veins.
“MR. PRESIDENT: 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. This is no time for ceremony . . .
Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, 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.
“They tell us, sir, that
we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we
be stronger? . . . 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. There is a just God who presides over the destiny of nations . . . The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, 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!”
What a patriot!
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