The War Inevitable

by Patrick Henry

March 23, 1775

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. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, 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.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. 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 of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?

Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.

Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.

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 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 but [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 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.



_____

Patrick Henry then took his seat. No murmur of applause was heard on March 23, 1775 when he gave this speech at a convention in Richmond assembled after Lord Dunmore suspended the Virginia Assembly. 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.

_____

One HE## of a Rabble Rouser, eh? He also was able to rouse the gentry, as History records above.

NOW, go back and read this as a metaphor for this forum.



Chuck, a Part time Sysop, over on the Prep forum, who drives at Night and Rails at the Dark and Gathering Gloom http://www.webleyweb.com/klh/kh-amdoc.index.html

Click http://www.webleyweb.com/klh/kh-amdoc.html to return to Ken Holder's American Documents Page, or use the BACK button on your browser (that's what I always do).

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), August 02, 1999

Answers

Sorry about the minor formatting glitches. It's too early in the morning (1022). I'm going back to bed.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), August 02, 1999.

Words to remember. Thanks, Chuck.

Surprising what we don't know about our own history... or else... don't take time to pay attention to.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), August 02, 1999.

I do not know what kind of eduction others may have had, but I had to memorise the end of that speech in the seventh grade. We even had a field trip to St. John's Church and we all got to sit in the pew that Patrick Henry sat in when attending that historic meeting.

-- chicken farmer (chicken-farmer@ y2k.farm), August 02, 1999.

Sooo...DID Patrick Henry fight?

-- Spidey (in@jam.commie), August 02, 1999.

Anyone today who holds or espouses opinions similar to this is a conspirinoid right wing militia nutcase. These are dangerous radicals who are a threat to society. They do not recognise the legitimacy of the Crown, they are anti-government. Tory sentiment is actually in the majority in these Colonies, these terrorists are only a tiny, violent minority, bent on using divisive rhetoric and terror to further their warped seperatist agenda. All this talk about Natural Law and the Creator smells of some sort of atheist/agnostic cult. They have agreed to communally share their Lives, their Property, and their Sacred Honor, so they are probably Communists as well. They are infringing on the Rights of their Commonwealth. They advocate arming the peasants to overthrow the government! Well, it's time to send the British Royal Beaureau of Rum, Cavendish and Blunderbusses to clean out their compound in Philadelphia. Also we should sieze their illegal weapons, Powder and Shot they have stockpiled in Lexington and Concord. One good brigade of professional soldiers will easily dispose of these stupid militianoid rednecks.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), August 02, 1999.

And AMEN Chuck.

My lips also quiver with "To arms!".

Unfortunately, what you posted above is treasonous...and considered a "terrorist mantra" by this most corrupt government.

Patriotic statements by the likes of Patrick Henry, are to be taken as quaint record of our history...and nothing more. To put modern- pretense on such statements is akin to inciting insurrection against this government...and can only seve the "extremist" views of those who are a danger to our society.

You sir Chuck, by posting Patrick Henry's statement in a forum filled with those who would use Y2K as a launch pad for fulfilling their fanatical "apocalyptic visions", are engaging in treason against the peaceful and compassionate people of these United States, who heed and are shackled by deceitful instruments of a now corrupt institution.

I therefore applaud you sir, sign my name bold next to yours, and invite you to repost this truth here weekly...that we may never forget the heritage that forged this nation to begin with....

...and that we may take back our birthright. By peaceable means if possible, by force if trodden upon.

Don't Tread On Me.

C'mon folks...say it. It is your birthright responsibility.

-- INVAR (gundark@sw.net), August 02, 1999.

Well, pretty much by definition, those documents that we refer to as the "Founding Documents", whether they be Declaration of Independence (Openly treasonous), Federalist or Anti-Federalist Papers (Nearly treasonous by most rational definitions), Articles of Confederation (CLEARLY OPENLY treasonous) are treasonoous.THen they were treason against the extant government. We MUST remember that the Founding Fathers are ONLY FOUNDING FATHERS because they WON!! Otherwise they would be the failed rebels of the failed rebellion of 1775, traitors all.

Chuck

the victors write the History Books

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), August 02, 1999.

Patrick Henry's Treasonous Exhortation...in a present Y2K context:

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts."

It IS natural for us to hope for the best, but should we stick our heads in the sand about the Y2K calamity about to befall us, and continue to believe the spin from the liars who want to prevent a panic and prolong this run of prosperity, until it is too late to prepare and desperation turns us into starving beasts? "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?"

Should we be like the pollyannas who have intelligence, but refuse to believe the possiblitly of losing the stuff society puts all their blind faith in?

"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."

Self explanatory. Ditto by the way.

"...I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?"

We can judge the reality of what may come, and how folks may react to Y2K by lessons from the past. I wish to know what our government and industry have done in the past ten years to convince the blind hope of the public and pollyannas to lull themselves into complacent sleep? Does the government not botch whatever it touches? Or is it the reassurances from C.E. O.s and government leaders that say "everything is fixed...not to worry." without any proof, and in the face of failures and late-starts of remediation?

"Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land."

Don't trust these liars, that have alterior motives to preserve self at your expense. Don't be decieived by assurances of a BITR, or a "Three day snowstorm". Ask yourselves how our preparations and discussions have been spun and demouguoged by those in power, and compare these with the warlike preparations government is making to keep itself in power against the people.

"Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?"

Are command bunkers, Marines training law enforcement in Urban Assault tactics, National Guard Mobilizations, statements from the Secretary of Defense that Americans need to "get used to seeing troops on the street", talk of govenors declaring Martial Law, necessary to illustrate our government has our best interests at heart? Are we so untrustworthy as a people that force must be ready to ensure security and order?

" Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it?"

Let us not deceive ourselves. These are tools of government towards absolute control and subjugation of panicking masses; the last resort of a power-mad traitorous reprobate president, that loves himself and his power above the Constitution, and wags his finger in our faces with contempt and lies continually so, in order to endear the populace to himself. And also a spineless Congress and Senate that has its own interests and party politics above the good of the nation's peoples. I ask, why are such military-type actions being made by our government if it is not to ensure its own survival and and not force the remnants of opposition to the suspension of Constitutional Liberty into submission or elimination? Anyone else have a reason for it?

"Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years."

Does the government have domestic enemies of such power that warrant ignoring Posse Commitatus laws to augment law enforcement with armed soldiers and array military and national Guard Units with training programs to deal with "protesters and hordes begging for food"? No, they are meant for us. For those who have not prepared and are uncivil in their pursuit of sustenance, and also for the prepared who will willingly resist their calls to contribute to the "commune" for redistribution and relocation. These units and programs are designed to bind and chain us into slavery upon the trigger mechanism of Y2K. This government has been long forging Socialist systems into the fabric of our Republic in all insidious subtleties, and the screams of the dependant on this taskmaster to enslave us in nannycare will be loud. For a tyrranical leader such as we have, cannot maintain control in chaos and disorder. For such is the reason for lulling the people to sleep with all kind of pollyanna spinspeak and complacent tone, and the demouguoging and scapegoating of the Administration's perceived enemies.

What shall we oppose them with? With factual and logical arguments? We have been trying to do that for the last several years. All to no avail as our society is filled with the desire for emotional rhetoric and deflective scapegoating...so they can feel better about themselves and our situation.

"Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves."

Ditto. Let's not pretend we are not in trouble.

"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!"

We've done all we can to avert the consequences of ignoring the coming storm. We have petitioned, remonstrated, pleaded in public, on the internet, we have testified before the Senate and implored officials of both local and state to take Y2K seriously. But as with the Impeachment of William jefferson Clinton...no one cares, nor heeded our warnings. Instead, we have been villified, persecuted, ridiculed, scorned, laughed at and demouguoged by the populace and by both business and government leadership.

"In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope."

In vain, after the rollover, we hope that society can get along and return to our ability to survive together with a reasonable division of labor, without a tyrranical hand of opressive military or government rule over us. There is no longer any room for hope that Y2K won't cause significant if not calamatous disruption.

"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!"

If we wish to be free, we must be vigilant to threats from without and within to subdjugate us in the event of chaos. To rely on our birthrights and depend on our duty to defend them, first by being responsible to self and family, and then to the community if it seeks cooperation in freedom. Duties to God, to family to country...and in that order. If anyone attempt through subtle beguilings and in the face of unrest give his libetrty to attain a portion given by the confiscation from another, then he is a slave. And if the arm of those that seek to confiscate your liberty and freedom in the name of safety and security knock...I say we must fight back. By force if necessary. Success however only comes with one body and mind. A handful cannot hope to accomplish that which takes many if so opressed.

" 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 but [by] irresolution and inaction? "

There are those that will say the above. And when will the American people say "enough!"? When we are totally disarmed by California- style gun restrictions and.or confiscations, thereby vulnerable to every criminal intent both individual and institutional? When we become a police state? Shall we stand and be strong in an encampment designed for "troublemakers"? Will we have liberty so long if we remain silent and do nothing? Will Y2K ignore us if we ignore it?

"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."

Ditto and ditto again.

"There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!"

There is no stopping Y2K problems now, and if left indifferent and dependant on the "system", we will be relegated to submission and slavery by the state. Our chains have already been forged by over 35 years of Socialistic Liberalism that has left the people dependant on government subsidy and a fragile infrastructure to which they cannot even understand in its links and interdependencies. The rumblings of unrest already seen manifest in the various riots, shootings and chaos that has plagued our society in unmeasured time of wealth and planty.

"The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come."

Chaos and unrest is inevitable due to our complacency and obfuscation of the true nature of Y2K and indeed intenational security problems. Brace for it! I repeat, brace for it!

"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!"

It is a shame we are so gullible. They cry "Peace! Peace!" but there is no peace. We have made more enemies abroad than at any other time, given away our weapons secrets for cash, demoralized and drawn-down our military, waged illegal wars to sidetrack a cancer on the nation's leadership...we are so fat, lazy and complacent as to our vulnerability, it is truly staggering. The willingness of so many to cede their liberty to the silly notions of security and prosperity at the hand of the state is overwhelming. The blind faith of our fragile infrastructures to provide us with all sorts of acustomed comforts is truly our achilles heel. And despite all the signs and evidenses as to our decay, and the slow shackles of slavery placed around our necks in greedy gratitude...it is truly amazing that we as a people cherish the wealths of being provided for by the state...than by their own hand...or their own vigillance. They trust unseen and unknown souls with their very lives. Unwitting slaves all...God help us!

The next storm of hardship and trial for this nation, sweeping in from the East may yet be the sound of our very social fabric ripping apart at the seams. As those so dependant, and led to believe in the myriad divisions placed on their hearts by deceitful leaders seeking power and position...will fracture us asunder in a deafening crash of chaos and confusion...out of which the fires of hatred and divisions long sown rend us apart as the spoiled brat within us takes to inhuman means of surviving. Thus this fate now possible, lie open the prospect for the deceitful hand of the State to take the steel shackles about our necks and clam down hard to maintain stability and order. In which our freedoms long fought and suffered will have perished forever at the hand of the wolf in sheep's clothing. For once absolute control and power is tasted by those seeking it...the breath of freedom is forever suffocated.

"I know not what course others may take but as for me: give me liberty or give me death. "

And for many, sadly, that may indeed be our fate. But who are we to be any different?

-- INVAR (gundark@sw.net), August 02, 1999.