Liberty or Death

On this date in 1775 one of the great patriotic speeches in all history was given. The speaker is sometimes overlooked because of his opposition to the Constitution many years later, but until the rise of George Washington, there was no greater patriot, or outspoken colonial leader than Patrick Henry. Henry was a firebrand, an early leader of the colonists seeking independence from Great Britain.

Independence was his theme long before other revolutionary leaders came on board. When the Stamp Act was passed in Britain taxing the colonies to pay for her wars, the colonists objected. But while most of the colonists were hoping to work out their differences with the mother country, Henry, in the Virginia House of Burgesses on May 30, 1765, warned the tyrant King George III that "Caesar had his Brutus and Charles had his Cromwell." But the notion that the King should be assassinated was too much for many and when several cried out, "Treason!", Henry wisely backed off and said, "and King George ... may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

He had nearly hung his neck in the collar, but he wasn't about to be deterred. Ten years later Henry arrived at the St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia. All 61 counties of Virginia were represented in the church. A howling March wind blew and a light snow fell on the church steps. The Convention was opened by the Speaker of the House, Peyton Randolph. Randolph was a former King's Attorney, and a hardy opponent of Patrick Henry.

Henry sat impatiently while the Convention waffled and passed some meaningless resolutions that addressed none of the issues at hand. On the third day he proposed legislation to establish a militia and to arm the people for their own defense. It was a call to arms, a challenge for those who were timid to stand up and join the struggle. He spoke of "Liberty" with an emphasis no one had heard before. He stood straight and tall, his face radiating defiance, his voice strong and sure.

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 this house.

He was respectful of all those with differing opinions, but his purpose was to elevate their thinking to a higher plane. He would consider himself guilty of treason to his country and disloyal to "the majesty of Heaven," if he did not speak out.

He challenged the representatives to see the "painful truth," making reference to Isaiah chapter six. 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? He then declares that he is "willing to know the whole truth. . . ."

He reviews the history of the colonists and their struggle against tyranny and concludes that there is no room for any hope of reconciliation. An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us.

Henry was a devout Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church. References to God were common in his speeches and writing. Here he appeals to Americans to trust the Highest for help in the battle that will come. 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.

One listener reported that Henry's "voice, countenance and gestures gave irresistible force to his words...." Henry's passion grew as he declared, "The war is inevitable - and let it come! I repeat sir, let it come!" He rebuked those who cried for peace when there was no peace, and challenged them not to sit idle when their brothers were already at arms.

Then with his arms extended high, his brow thrown back, and every sinew of his being exposing the burden of his soul, he proclaimed the words that have become immortal.

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!

The speech was a trumpet call that electrified the colonies. It stirred the hearts of all those who loved Liberty. It was the spark that moved the Continental Congress to declare Independence.

I wonder where are the Patrick Henrys of today? Where is the one man in our government who will stand on principle rather than entrenchment, and say he would prefer death to enslavement? Where is the man who will stand up to the liberal Democrat political machine that is taking us into tyranny? Where is the man who will stand up to the weak-kneed Republicans and tell them to get some backbone?

The sad irony is that today we don't need someone to say "Liberty or Death" to a foreign king, we need someone to say it to our own Congress. And if we don't stand up and say it now, someday soon we won't be able to stand up or say it at all. Liberty or death was the battle cry of freedom for patriots 235 years ago. It needs to be our battle cry now. "Give me liberty or give me death."