GIVE ME LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH!

"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 the 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 numbers 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 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, March 23, 1775

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