The advocate., 1895-08-07

@N''A"A'OA' w 0NA O4AOA
The end had come. The day had arrived when the
mighty question which had been three weeks under
discussion was to be decded-forever. The event
was still in doubt. Neither side was certain of vic
tory and the greatest anxiety disturbed every mind
His emotion reused to the uttermost by the actual
coming of the hour which was burdened with the
announcement Of the momentOus decision, Patrick
Henry, pale, serious and agtated, rose to make
what ne knew was to be his final effort to save the
liberties of his country from those who purposely or
ignorantly sought to destroy them.
"The honorable gentleman said that great danger
would ensue if the convention rose without adopt
ing this system. l ask, Where is that danger? Il
sec none. Other gentlemen have told us within these
walls that the Union is goneor that the Union will
be gone. Is not this trihing with the judgment of
their fellow citizens2 Till they tell us the ground
Of their fesrs will consider them as imaginary.
rose to make inquiry where these dangers were.
They could not answer believe l shall never have
that answer. Let not gentlemen be told that it is
not safe to reject this government. Wherefore is it
not safe? We are told there are dangers but those
dangers are ideal they cannot be demonstrated
Some minds are agitated by foreign alarms. Hap
PLY for us, there Is no real danger from Europe
that country is engaged in more arduous business.
From that quarter there is no cause of fear; you
may sleep in safety forever for them.
"But, If, sir, there were danger, would recur to
the American spirit to defend us-that spirit which
has enabled us to surmOunt the greatest difficulties
1t was but yesterday when our enemies marched in
triumph through our country. Yet the people of
this country could not be appalled, by their pom
pous armsments; they stopped their career, and
VIGOROUSLY captured them. Where is the peril now
compared to that?
"Whither is the spirit of America gomez Whittier
is the genius of America fled? To that illustrious
spirit address my most fervent prayer to prevent
our adopting system destructive of liberty
During the speech of which but extracts have been
given, an incident occurred which illustrated the
firm hold superstition retains upon even the most
cultivated minds Patrick Henrys biogrspher shall
tell the story
"The question of adoption OF rejection was now
approaching. The decision was still uncertain and
every mind and every heart was filled with anxiety.
Mr.. Henry partook most deeply of this feeling and
while engaged it were in his last effort, avsed
himself Of the strong sensations which he knew to
perVade the house, and made an appeal to it which,
in point Of sublimity, has never been surpassed In
any age or country of the world After describing
in accents which spoke to the SOUL and to which
every other bosom deeply responded the awful inn
mensity of the question to the present and future
generations, and the throbbing spprehensions with
which he looked to the issue, he passed from the
house and from the earth, and looking, as he said,
beyond that horizon which binds mortal eyes, he
pointed--With a countensnee and action that made
the blood run back upon the aching heart-to those
celestial beings who were hoVering over the scene,