Today, March 23, marks 251 years since Patrick Henry delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention. His words still ring through the centuries: “Give me liberty or give me death!”
The speech came more than a year before America officially declared independence, but less than a month before the shot heard round the world launched the Revolution on Lexington Common. When Patrick Henry warned his fellow delegates that the "war is inevitable" and was already upon them, it was not mere rhetorical flourishing. It was a grim and earnest warning. They could choose between subjugation and abject surrender or brave combat, but there was no easy route to "peace." The arrogant British tyrants had made that impossible.
This year we will mark the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Unfortunately, many Americans are much more like the men Henry criticized than Henry himself. We see it even with the Iran conflict. The Islamic regime of Iran has been at war with the USA for half a century; all that changed is that we brought the war to the regime's doorstep in a decisive and spectacular manner. Yet fatheaded commentators on both sides of the political aisle keep talking as if all we have to do is stop fighting and make ourselves doormats to achieve world peace.
Patrick Henry understood a truth many modern Americans have forgotten, which is that when you deal with prideful and vicious tyrants, surrender is even more disastrous than defiance. When we hear advice on compromising with Democrats or foreign enemies, it is deceitful, proposing long-term ruin for a brief pause in open hostilities. Perhaps we need to recall Henry's warning.
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It is certainly worth reading Henry’s entire speech, but in the interest of brevity, I have selected three passages from the end of his speech. Our type of war and the weapons we must use are perhaps different now as we fight for freedom, but his advice is not the less true for all that:
"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? …
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…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…
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!"
