The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-23
TODAY IN HISTORY
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
WEDNESDAY,, MARCH "a.


Today is the anniversary Of Patrick
Henrys famous speech, delivered before
the Virginia convention, which he ended
with those memorable words, Give me
liberty. or give me death!' The young
Virginia patriot was only 20 years Of age
when he delivered his famous inyoctive
against the mother country. Ills words
rang from end to end Of the colonies.
They fred the hearts Of patriots. inspired
the strong and gave courage TO the
doubtful They were the war cry OF the
Inevitable conflict that was TO make
free nation,
The Virginia convention assembled on
March 20. lIT5. at Richmond. One after
the other OF the delegates arose and de-
llvercd a fiery denunciation against Great
Britain. Patrick Henry listened atten-
lively. On March 23 he arose 10 address
The semblagc. As one writer puts II;
II was Patrick Hen,ys individual
declaration OF war against the mother
country lie was in his courage some
what in advance Of his associates. and
rouse him TO his greatest efforts. His
resolution left no loophole, once adopted,
and 1t was virtual declaration Of war.
With his prophetic vision he saw that
war must come, and he was for making
Immediate preparations 10 meet the
issue
The effect of Henry's speech was over
whclming and tragic. a clergyman who
heard the speech says: "IIis voice rose
louder and louder. until the walls OF the
building and all within them seemed 10
shake and rock with It's tremendous vi
brations. Finally his pale face and gler-
Ing eyes became terrible 10 look upon.
Men leaned forward In their seats with
their heads strained, their faces pale and
last exclamation. Give me liberty or
give me death. was like the shout OF the
leader who turns back the rout Of
battle"
Another hcarer gives thrilling ac-
count OF Patrick Hcnrys delivery of the
closing words of the specch-lor 1t must
bc remembered that the entire Grafton
has not been preserved-Wherc he said:
rs life so dear or peace so sweet as
20 be purchased at the price Of chains
and slavery? Forbid II, Almighty God.
know not what course others may take,
but as for me, give ME liberty or give
me dcathn
The writer goes on TO say; "When he
spoke the word liberty his hands were
ed. his countenancc radiant, he stood
erect and defiant. while the sound OF his
voice and the sublimity of his attitude
made him appear magnificent incarna-
tion OF freedom,
LAS he closed the grand appeal with
the solemn words, or give me DEATH
which sounded with the awful cadence
OF 4 hero'S dirGe. fearless of death and
victorious in death. he suited the action
To the word by a blow upon the left
breast with the right hand which seemed
TO drive the dagger TO the PATRIOTS
heart
The whole assemblage was carried
away by the force OF his eloquence. The
situation was so tense that when he
sat down there was not the taintest mur
mur of applause. Henry's speech had
determined the character OF the proceed
ngS of the convention, 1t had silenCcd
opposition, and had made the timid
courageous. \ committee was at once
appointed TO report a plan for the or
ganization OF the militia This plan was
adopted and shortly after the convention
closed It's session and Patrick Henry re-
tired to his home with the laurels OF
fame on his brow.