This week I ran across and reread Patrick Henry’s famous speech to The Virginia Convention. It is truly amazing to see how much of it is applicable today. There is no need to fight a foreign power today, but there is a need to stand up for truth and the important issues. It is so imperative that we speak truth despite what the consequences may be. Today we seek to win through mediums that were not used to as great an extent in the eighteenth century, yet they are important, nonetheless.
There are so many good points to Patrick Henry’s speech, but I found these to be the greatest to me:
First, Patrick Henry encourages us to be bold, clear and know the truth…whatever the cost. This is a good step in the right direction.
…I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony…For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude if the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country…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.
Second, look to the past. Not only recent occurrences, but historic events.
I have but one lamp by which feet are guided, and that is the lamp of the experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed by a kiss.
We are warned to not rely on hope; hope that may be false hope. And be prepared to fight for what is right.
…There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges 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…we must fight!
Right now is the time to take action. Circumstances are not going to get better. We can fight and win because we are on the side of right!! The odds are against us, but as history has shown, even the strongest, best organized enemy has weaknesses. Strength can be a weakness if it does not have a right and just cause which drives it’s members on. And it is too late to stop to reconsider. We risk all regardless of whether we join the fray or not.
They tell us 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?…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?…we are not weakened, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power…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, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, we have no election; if we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.
It is in vain to extenuate the matter. [Some] may cry, “Peace, peace”- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!…What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
This ‘war’ against wrong began long ago. For many the cause became most important four years ago. The war against injustice is being fought right now!! The fight is on- we can’t go back. We can win, but only if we are willing to take risks and join the battle. For many of us this means taking extra time to write a blog post, share some articles on our social networks, talk to some friends, attend an event, etc. All this matters greatly!! I encourage you to join the fight today! We fight by spreading truth, taking action in local and state politics. Yes, defeat Obama, but that is only one important thing.
“The pen is mightier than the sword.” – Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Political Fireball 
Wow your blog leads to the conclusion to defeat Obama? You consider our President the enemy? To me the enemy is the people in power who put the interests of banks and big money corporations over the interests of the people (Democrat and Republican). If you really look at what has gone on over the years, you may come to a different conclusion. Reagan had people hold off on releasing the hostages until after he was elected so that he would be elected. He won. Then he went about enacting trickle-down economics…..you know the same policies that got us into this financial mess…….letting banks and big businesses do whatever they want while getting richer. Clinton continued the deregulation and W excelled it. Except…the trickle didn’t work….the rich got richer and the poor got poorer….sure it seemed to work as any manipulator of the boom/bust does but the rich get richer in times of boom and bust. Then you have the Bush dynasty who had direct business association with bin Laden’s brother here in the U.S. Yes, it’s very easy to find this information…it’s not some lie thought up by the liberals…..it’s fact…Bin Laden and Bush had business together. No wonder, Osama was never caught and W had like 7 years to find him. Because he was of more use to Bush alive than dead. Osama conveniently released recordings of himself issuing threats each time Bush was slipping from power. Then Bush got to be all tough again. Remember the orange alerts….scare tactics. As a matter of record…..when they were close to capturing him Bush declared war on Iraq and sent the resources needed to capture Osama to Iraq instead…just in time. And W is on record when he was President saying he wasn’t concerned about capturing Osama (paraphrase). But neocons give Obama little credit for capturing enemy #1…..instead they give Bush credit for all the leg work…..forgetting that he had him in range and then diverted resources to Iraq. Oh, wait but Obama is a socialist because he wants our health care system to work for the people instead of for the big insurance companies and big pharma.? I’m sorry but your article would be good if it wasn’t pointing fingers without any substantial proof that Obama is the enemy. I think you have the wrong version of the truth. You have what the Republicans use time and time again…..calling dems socialist, communists and crying tyranny for trying to make the government work for everyone. I’m a die hard independent. I don’t think Obama is perfect but I don’t think he is satan. You are just believing what some fear-mongering rich man manipulates you into believing so you will support him. Fear is a huge manipulator. And it works as proven by your less than substantive blog post.
LikeLike
Thank you for replying. Was there any president who has been perfect? NO. Even George Washington, my favorite was not. G. W. Bush was not perfect, but that is not the point of this post, as I’m sure you are well aware. We are up against a president who stands against nearly everything our founders fought for.
I could go on about what Obama has done that has greatly failed our country. Bush did some things that were not wise, but compared to Obama the danger of those actions pales.
May God bless you and guide you toward truth.
LikeLike
Reblogged at: http://talonspoint.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/of-patrick-henry/
LikeLike