Page 46 - 2022-IdeasArg-SE-1e

Patrick Henry ■ Speech to the Virginia Convention 119

of the British ministry for the last ten years prostrated ourselves before the throne, and
to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have implored its interposition to arrest the
© Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.
have been pleased to solace themselves and tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parlia- IDEAS IN AMERICAN CULTURE
the House. Is it that insidious smile with ment. Our petitions have been slighted; our
which our petition has been lately received? remonstrances have produced additional
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your violence and insult; our supplications have
feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed been disregarded; and we have been spurned,
with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In
reception of our petition comports with those vain, after these things, may we indulge the
warlike preparations which cover our waters fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There
and darken our land. Are fleets and armies is no longer any room for hope. If we wish
necessary to a work of love and reconcilia- to be free — if we mean to preserve inviolate
tion? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling those inestimable privileges for which we have
to be reconciled that force must be called been so long contending — if we mean not
in to win back our love? Let us not deceive basely to abandon the noble struggle in which
ourselves, sir. These are the implements of we have been so long engaged, and which
war and subjugation; the last arguments to we have pledged ourselves never to abandon
which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what until the glorious object of our contest shall
means this martial array, if its purpose be not be obtained — we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we
to force us to submission? Can gentlemen must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God
assign any other possible motive for it? Has of hosts is all that is left us!
Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable 5
the world, to call for all this accumulation to cope with so formidable an adversary. But
of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next
They are meant for us: they can be meant for week, or the next year? Will it be when we are
no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet totally disarmed, and when a British guard
upon us those chains which the British minis- shall be stationed in every house? Shall we
try have been so long forging. And what have gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
we to oppose to them? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resis-
Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been tance by lying supinely on our backs and hug-
trying that for the last ten years. Have we ging the delusive phantom of hope, until our
anything new to offer upon the subject? enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
Nothing. We have held the subject up in every Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use
light of which it is capable; but it has been of those means which the God of nature hath
all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and placed in our power. The millions of people,
humble supplication? What terms shall we armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such
find which have not been already exhausted? a country as that which we possess, are invin-
Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive our- cible by any force which our enemy can send
selves. Sir, we have done everything that against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our
could be done to avert the storm which is battles alone. There is a just God who presides
now coming on. We have petitioned; we have over the destinies of nations, and who will
remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

03_williamideas1e_35663_ch02_084_159.indd 119 24/11/21 2:48 PM