The Winslow mail., 1925-07-03
TOMORROW.

July-lnQ0pSuQ Lay AAO
this year, for the first time, De-
fense Day, when the resources for
the defense of the nation will be
censused.
About hundred and fifty years
ago, the question of defense agi-
tated the people of the colonies,
and today, Notwithstanding the
enormous strength of the United
States, preparations for defense
are still important, that that
strength shall be maintained.
One hundred and fifty years ago
in st. Johns church, Richmond,
Va, Patrick Henry stood before
the now famous convention and
delivered his immortal "give me
liberty or give me DEATH speech.
Virginia's delegates had convened
to consider whether or not to Or
ganize an armed force to resist
the soldiers of the British king.
Revolution was in the air. The
Declaration of independence was
little more than year away. But
opinion vas divided among the
planters of the Old Dominion. Some
would arm in self-defense, others
trusted to his British Majesty to
right the wrongs they were suffer-
ing. If it came to revolution and
the revolution failed, their heads
were at stake There needed the
impact of eloquence to move the
convention to join with the patriots
of other colonies. That impetus
was given when Patrick Henry
arose and addressed the convention.
When he had finished, the conven-
ton adopted resolutions calling for
the organization of militia, and
the taking of such other steps as
would put the colony in state OF
defense. The speech follows:
"Mr. President, it is natural to
man to indulge in illusions Of
hope We are apt to shut our eyes
against painful truth, and listen
to the song of that siren till she
transforms us into beasts. Is this
the part of wise men, engaged in
a great arduous struggle for lib
erty? Are we disposed to be OF the
number of those who, having eyes,
see not, and, having ears, hear not
the things which so nearly con-
Germ their temporal salvation? For
my part, whatever anguish of spir-
it it may cost, l am willing to
know the whole truth; to know the
worst and provide for it.
81 have but one lamp by which
my feet are guided, and that is the
lamp of experience. know of no
way of Judging the future, but by
the past. And judging by the past
/ wish to know what there has
been in the conduct of the British
ministry for the last ten years tc
justify those hopes with which
gentlemen have been pleased tC
isolace themselves and the house
Is it that insidious smile witt
which our petition has lately beer
received? Trust it not, sir 1t viii
prove snare to your feet. Suffel
not yourselves to be betrayed witt
kiss.
ASK yourself how this gracious
reception of our petition comport>
with these warlike preparations
which cover our waters and dark.
en- our land. Are fleets and armies
necessary to work of love ant
reconciliation? Have we showr
ourselves so unwilling to be rec,
onciled that force must be called
in to win back our love? Let u:
not deceive ourselves, sir. These
are implements of war and subju
cation; the last arguments tt
which kings resort. I ask gentle
men, sir, what means this martha
array, if its purpose be not to forc'
us to submission? Can gentlemen
assign any other possible motiv'
for it? Has Great Britain any en-