The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-06-17
PATRICK HENRY.
The Life and Career Of a Famous
-N9 Y American Patriot.

4ue 1iIe anu vdTeer VI : dlAVuh
N9 Y American Patriot.
THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
His Appearance as an Orator in
- the Virginia House Of
Burgesses.
From John Estcn Cookies Stories OF the Old
ivH Dominion.l
,e ".
ought not to leave the subject OF
the life of Patrick Henry without
saying a few words Of what was
looked upon as the greatest of all his
speeches. This was made at St.
Johns Church, in the city of Rich.
mond. aud rang like the blast of n
trumpet through all the colonies,
summoning them to resistance.
1t was now the spring of l775. and
the whole country was drifting to-
ward revolution. What Patrick
Henry had said against tho Stamp
Act proved like seed sown In the
ground. 1t lay there for ten years.
but at last it began to sprout, and
now, in the year 1775, it appeared
above the ground. Eagland seemed
determined to make the colonies SUBJ
nit to her. Soldiers were sent TO
Boston, and as Virginia took part
with Massachusetts, the Governor
drove the Burgcsscs away from Will
liamsburg. To this they paid no at
tention, however. AS they could not
meet there, they determined to as
semble IN Richmond. A convention
of the Virginia leaders was accord
ingly elected; and in March ITS.
they met to consult OH the state Of
the country.
The old church of st. Johns, in
which they assembled is still standing.
1t IL a plain old building, crowning a
hill not far from Bloody Run, where
Bacon defeated the Indians, and in
sight Of Powhatan, where the old
Indian emperor was visited by Cap
tain Smith. In front ia James river,
winding away below the falls and
green islands with their dipping
foliage, and all around the ancient
church are old toInbstones crumbling
away in the grass.
Here the convention assembled,
and it embraced some Of the bravesi
and wisest men in Virginia. The
president was Edmund Pcndleton,
who was celebrated for his powers
OF public speaking and for his ready
and vigorous intellect. Thomas jeff
crson said of him "Taken ell in all
he was the ablcst man in debate
have ever met with" and his voice
was so sweet aud "silvery" in IL
tones that 1t was delightful to heal
him speak. Many other distinguished
men were present, and among the
rest Patrick Henry. lie was looked
upon by this time as the leader Of The
revolution in Virginia, aud sool
showed that he deserved the nam,
which had been given him-the "MaI
of the People"
As soon as the convention tool
their seats, he rose and moved tha
Virginia ''be Immediately put in 4
state of defense" This was coming
TO tho heart Of the matter in very
few words. He meant that the time
for discussion had passed, and the
time for action come. Ii tho Amcvl
cans intended TO submit, then the,
could 90 on offering petitions; but /
they meant to fight England, it wa
time 10 get ready. Uo
As had happened to him in the old
House of Burgcsses, his proposition
met with strong opposition. There
were many good patriots who still
thought that peace could be made
with England. They dreaded going
to war and shedding blood II the,
could avoid it; they, therefore, spoke
against Henry's resolution, and dc.
clared that 1t ought not TO pass. The
scene was exciting, and Henry list
ened in silence. When they hat
finished, he again rose, and his face
showed that he was fully aroused
His speech surpassed all othcrs which
hc had eyer delivered, and the whole
man seemed to be on fire as his voice
echoed from the old walls of thu
church. They must fight! he OK
claimed; there was no longer any
hope but In a reliance OH God ant
their own strong arms. Ii might be
said that they were weak and unabl,
to oppose England; but God would
| night for them and protect them IN
tile great struggle. They must fight
4 and even IL they were not willing
they would be obliged TO. No choice
was left them.
| "There il no retreat" he exclaimed
but in submission and slavery! Oul
chains are forged-their clankin,
may oe heard on the plains Of Boston
| Tho war is inevitable, and let 1t come
| repeat 1t, sir, let 1t comcl Il is il
vain, sir, to extenuate the matter
Gentlemen may cry peace, peace 7
but there is no peace. The war il
actually begun. The next gale tha
sweeps from the North will bring ts
our ears the clash OF resounding arms
Our brethren are already in the field
What is il that gentlemen wish
What would they have? Is life 81
dear or peace SO sweet as to be pur,
chased at tho price Of chains and sla
very2 Forbid 1t, Almighty God!
know not what course others ma,
take, but as for mo, give me liberty
| or give me death! .ill
/ As Patrick Henry uttered these
| words, with both arms raised ans
eyes on fire with excitement, it i
said that a thrill ran through th,
whole assembly. They were read,
to start from their seats and shot
"To arms?" No further opposition
was made. The voice Of Henry had
swept 1t away. His resolutions wer,
passed 'bya large majority, and Vir
ginia thus announced to the worlt
that she was ready TO fight.
i All things considered, this spcecl
was one ofthe greatest ever deliv
cred, and Patrick Henry seemed !,
be almost a prophet. II was mad,
D in the month of March, and In Apri
the fighting began. General Gag,
attacked the peoDie In Massachusetts