The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-09
The HsfaIo Of FREEDOM.
lawrence, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1856.
Patrick Henry,s Speech.

the question of war with England The
grievances and condition of the people
of Kansas are very similar to those of
the American colonies at the time the
immortal Henry was promulgating the
glorious sentiment, "GIvE NE LIBERTY
OR GIVE NE DEATH" Had he been liv-
ing in our day instead of the revolution,
and were he occupying a seat in our
State Legislature which is about to as
semble, he would, no doubt, have deliy-
cred himself as follows:
"This, sir, is no time for ceremony.
The question before the house is one of
awful moment to this country. For my
own part, | consider it as nothing less
than question of freedom or slavery.
And in proportion to the magnitude of
the subject, ought to be the freedom of
the debate. 1t is only in this way that
We can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil
the great responsibility which we hold to
God and our country. Should | keep
back my opinions at this time, through
fear of giving offence, l should consider
myself as guilty of treason towards my
country, and of an act of disloyalty to-
ward the majesty of Heaven, which re-
we're above all earthly kings.
'Mr. President, it is natural for 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 syren, till she transforms US into
beasts Is this the part of wise men en-
gagged in great and arduous struggle
for liberty? 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? For my part, what
ever anguish of spirit it may cost, | am
willing to know the whole truth to
know the worst, and to provide for it.
81 have but one lamp by which my
feet are guided and this is the lamp OF
experience. ! know of no way of judy
ing the future but by the past. And,
judging by the past, | wish to know what
there has been in the conduct OF the
Border Rufians, for the last two years,
to justify those hopes with which gen
tlemen have been pleased TO solaee them
selves and the House? Is it that insidi-
Gus smile with which our Treaty has
been lately received? +? Trust it not, sir !;
it will prove snare to your feet. Suffer
not yourselves to be betrayed with kiss.
t'Ask yourselves how this gracious
reception of oursettlement comports with
those warlike preparations which cover
our borders and darken our land Are
military organizations and armies neces-
sary to a work of love and reconciliation?
Have we shown ourselves disposed to
trespass on their rights so far, that force
must be called into exterminate us 7? Let
us not deceive ourselves, sir. These
are the implements of war and subjuga-
ton; the last argument to which ruff
ans resort.
II ask gentlemen. sir, what means
this martial array, if It's purpose be not
10 force US to submission? Can gentle
men assign any other possible motive for
it? Has Missouri any enemy in this
quarter of the world, to call for all this
preparation for war and accumulation of
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
Border Rufians" have been so long
forging.
'.And what have we TO oppose them ?
Shall We try argument I? Sir, we have
been trying that for the last two 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
suppieation What terms shall We find
which have not already been exhausted?
Let us not, beseech you, sir. deceive
ourselves longer.
'Sir, We have done everything that
could be done to avert the storm which
is now coming on. We have petitioned;
We have demonstrated; We have supplica-
ted; We have allowed them to usurp ev-
cry right, and impose code of the most
barbarous laws upon US, without any in
terposition to stay their tyrannical
hordes. Our petitions have been slight
ed; our remonstrances have produced
additional violence and insult; our sup
plications have been disregarded; and
we have been humiliated and degraded
and treated with utter contempt. Armies
have even marched into our Territory,
killed unolfending citizens, and have
practised barbarities upon them only
equalled in the savage ages. They have
burned our dwellings. demolished oal
presses, and spread mildew blight over
our land.
g "In vain, after these things, may we
indulge the fond hope of peace and quiet
There is no longer any room for hope
II We wish to be free; if We mean tc
preserve inyiolale those inestimable priv
ileges for which We have been SO long
contending: If we mean not basely to
abandon the noble struggle in which we
have been 50 long engaged, and which
ne have pledged ourselves never toaban-