The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-06-10
PATRICK HENRY.
The Life and Career Of a Famous
4 = 6 American Patriot.
THE MAN or THE PEOPLE.
His Appearances as an Orator in
the Virginia House Of
,aH Burgesses.
THE MAN or THE PEOPLE

a Burgesses.
lrrom John Estcn Cookies Stories OF tho Old
DominIon.l
III. .VfN
As the scene which took place on
this occasion was quite remarkable
one will describe it.
You will remember what said
about the English law called the
"Stamp Act" which ordered that the
Americans should not transact bust
meas unless all the papers had a GER
tain stamp upon them. As you have
been told, this produced great ex-
eitementin the colonies. ltwas re-
garded as an open attempt to make
them tho slaves of England, rs they
were notrepresented by any of their
own people in the Parliament which
made the law, and when the stamps
came over they were so angry that
they seized upon them In many parts
OF The country and burned them.
In Virginia the excitement about
the stamps was very great. Some
people said that as the colonies be-
longcd to England, and the King had
authority over them, they ought not
to reiuse 10 OBEY the law, but to
write petition asking the King TO
change II, and that this petition
should be as respectful rs possible.
But others said that such petitions
would be of no use. They had been
tried over and over, and tie best
thing to do now was TO tell the King
plainly that no one on earth had a
right TO tax Virginians except the
Virginia House Of Burgesscs.
The Burgesses soon met at Will
liamsburg. 1t was in the year 1855,
two years after Patrick Henry's
great speech against the parsons !;
and, as have told you, he was q
member Of the House. Every one soon
saw that there would be an excited
time. The people everywhere were
talking about the Stamp Act, and the
Burgesses knew that something
would have to be done. They were
generally rich men, with large farms,
and lived in great style. They loved
England. for the Virginia people had
never forgotten that their fathers and
grandfathers were Englishmen ; and
they were proud of their blood.
They were quite willing that the
King of England should continue to
reign over them. II they were treated
like the rest Of his subjects who lived
in England. II they were not, they
meant to resist, but not to act in a
passion. 1t world be far better, they
thought, 10 petition the King to dc
them justice, than to tell him in plail
words that they would not obey him
When Patrick Henry reached Viii
liamsburg hc found that this was the
genera lwayof thinkiBg. Scarcely a
Esingle member Of the Burgesses was
ready TO net promptly. They still
hoped for "rcdress OF grievances
as 1t was called, by sending a petition
to tho King; but Patrick Henry hat
made up his mind that this would dt
no good, lie, therefore, determined
TO act boldly, and soon after tn,
House assembled he rose to address
them. ,fs,.at f..
They were a, grave and imposing
body, very different from the plain
countrymen whom he was accustom
cd to in Hanover. Their dress and
appearance indicated their rank II
society. On all sides were powder
ed heads aud rufiled shirts, and facet
full OF dignity. They were almos
all large landholders, accustomed t
be treated with tho highest respect
and the contrast between them ant
Patrick Henry was very striking
lie was as rough looking as ever
His hair was mnpowdered, and he
wore a faded old coat, leather breech
es and yarn stockings. In short, il,
was exactly the same awkward-look-
ing couhtryman as before.
| AS he rose in his place, the Bur
gesses turned their heads and looked
at him. They scarcely knew hi;
name, and no doubt thought 1t pre-
sumptuous In tliis plainly dressed
young man to be taking the lead, ant
telling older persons what was bes
to be done. But Patrick Henry pait
no attention to their looks ofsur
prise. He had made up his mind L
say what he hadto say, aud give hi
own opiniOn at least on the su oiect q