Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-08-20
Patrick Henry's Greatest Speech.

Patrick Henry's Greatest Speech.
ought not to leave the subject of the
life Of Patrick Henry without saying few
words of what was looked upon as the great.
est n all his speeches. This was made at st.
Johns church, in the city of Richmond, and
rang like the blast of trumpet through all
the colonies, summoning them to resistance.
1t was now the spring of 1775, and the
whole country was drifting toward revou-
ton. What Patrick Henry had said against
the stamp act proved like seed sown in the
ground. 1t lay there for ten years, but at
last 1t began to sprout, and now, in the year
l775, 1t appeared above the ground. Eng
land seemed determined to make the colo
MES submit to her. Soldiers were sent to
Boston, and as Virginia took part with
Massachusetts, the governor drove the bur
gesses away from Williamsburg. To this
they paid no attention, however. As they
could not meet there, they determined to
assemble in Richmond. A convention of
theNirginia leaders was accordingly elected
aud in March, l775, they met TO consult on
the state Of the country.
The old church of st. johns, in which
they assembled, is still standing It isa
plain old building, crowning hill, not far
from Bloody Run, where Bacon defeated
the Indians, and in sight of Powhatan,
where the old Indian Emperor was visited
by Captain Smith. In front is James river,
winding away below the falls and green
islands with their dipping foliage, and all
around the ancient church are old tomb
stones, crumbling away in the grass.
Here the convention assembled, aud it
embraced some of the bravest and wisest
men in Virginia. The president was Ed.
mund Pendleton who was celebrated for his
powers of public speaking and for his ready
and vigorous intellect. Thomas jefferson
said of him Taken all in all, he was the
ablest man in debate have ever met with !"
aud his voice was SO sweet and silvery in
its tones that it was delightful to hear him
speak. Many other distinguished men were
present, aud among the rest Patrick Henry.
lie was looked upon by this time as the
leader of the revolution in Virginia, and
soon showed that he deserved the name
which had been given him-the Man of
tn. People
As soon as the convention took their
seats, he rose and moved that Virginia 'be
Immediately put in Il state OF defence" This
was coming TO the heart of the matter in
very few words. He meant that the time
for discussion hld passed, aud the time for
action come. If the Americans intended to
submit, then they could go on offering petit
tions but if they meant to fight England,
it was time to get ready.
As had happened to him in the old house
of burgesses, his proposition met with
strong opposition. There were many good
patriots who still thought that peace could
he made with England. They dreaded CO.
ing to war and shedding blood if they could
avoid it; they therefore spoke against
flenry's resolution, and declared that it
ought not to pass The scene was exciting,
aud Henry listened in silence. When they
had finished he again rose, aud his face
showed that he was fully aroused. His
speech surpassed all Others which he had
ever delivered, and the whole man seemed
TO be on fire as his voice echoed from the
old walls of the church. They must fight!
he exclaimed there was no longer any hope
but in reliance on God and their own strong
arms. 1t might be said that they were
weak aud unable to oppose England; but
God would fight for them and protect them
in the great struggle. They must fight
aud even if they were not willing, they
would be obliged to- No choice was left
| them.
There is no retreat" he exclaimed, "but
in submission and slavery Our chaius are
forged-ther clanking may be heard on the
| plains of Boston. The war is inevitable,
and let it come | repeat it, sir let it
come 1t is in vain, sir, TO extenuate the
matter. Gentlemen may cry Peace, peaceY
but there is no peace. The war is actually
begun. The next gale that sweeps from the
North will bring to our ears the clash of re-
sounding arms. Our brethren are already
in the field. 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 know not what course
others may take, but as for me, give me
liberty or give me DEATH"
| As Patrick Henry uttered these words,
with both arms raised and eyes on fire with
excitement, it is said that thrill ran
through the whole assembly. They were
ready to start from their seats an shout,
To arms - No further opposition was
made. The voice Of Henry had swept it
away. His resolutions were passed by
large majority, and Virginia thus announced
TO the world that she was ready to fight.
All things considered, this speech was one
of the greatest ever delivered, and Patrick
Henry seemed to be almost a prophet. 1t
was made in the month of March, and in
April the fighting began. General Gage at
tackled the people in Massachusetts, and if
his cannon might have been heard upon the
wind from the North, aud the "cash of re-
sounding arms at Lexington and Concord.
This is all | can say to-day of Patrick
Henry. He was remarkable man, and
suited to the times in which he lived.
Nothing could shake his resolution, and
his wonderful eloquence astonished the
greatest meu who listened to him. Thomas
jefferson said of him;
1T is not easy 10 say what We would have
done without Patrick Henry. lie was far
before US all in maintaining the spirit OF
the revolution. His eloquence was peculiar
if, indeed, it should be called eloquence,
for it was impressive and sublime beyond
what eau be imagined. After all, it must
be allowed that he was our leader He left
US all far behind
These were strong words to apply TO the
plain country lawyer who had failed at
storekeeping aud nearly everything else
which he had attempted But they were
true Patrick Henry found at last what his
true business in life was, and his name is
now one OF the greatest In the history OF
America.--J. T.. Cooke.