ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 13, 2014
This is a letter to our friends –
Patrick Henry speaks today
It was March of 1775, the 2nd Virginia Convention, Saint John’s church in Richmond. Delegates were divided: Those loyal to the king; the undecided; and patriots like Patrick Henry. The former king’s lawyer, Payton Randolph a loyalist, was elected chair. (Sound familiar?)
The British occupied Boston. Paul Revere would make his famous ride the following month. Patrick Henry had to energize and mobilize a divided house. The momentum of the meeting was passive. He stood to speak. [excerpts follow]
“ … They tell us, sir, that we are weak – unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. <Senator Harry Reid & Obama are too strong for us> But when shall we become stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? <after the November elections> Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard <e-mail monitor> 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 upon 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 proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three 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. <We the people have the God given right, the authority, the obligation, to set our civil government right.>
“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace – but there is no peace. <Establishment politicians want disunity, divide and hold power. Patriots want unity and liberty.>
“… 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!”
Where is Patrick Henry when we need him?
