The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-22

which England had imposed upon her American
colonies and these resolutions had resulted in
hot debate In which Henry had been opposed by
Bland Pendleton, Randolph, Wythe and other
conservatives from the tidewater aristocracy.
1t was during this debate that Henry had ended
his speech with the words "Tarquin and Caesar
each had his Brutus; Charles the First his Crom-
well; and George the Third" Here he paused
and as the speaker and other members of the
assembly cried out angrily: Treason Treason !"
he had gone on-"may profit by their example. If
this be treason. make the most of J" Brave
words those-words which have echoed down
through the years have other words which he
was about to utter in reply to the statement of
the conservatives that his resolution of March
%, 1775 was premature"
AS matter of fact his resolution, rather than
being premature, tardy, when compared to
action taken weeks and even months before this
time by other colonies and even by some of the
counties in Virginia which had already armed
and begun drilling their men. But because this
dangerous radical proposed 1t, these conserva-
tives opposed It. The other factor involved, how
ever, this: the colonists had talked of the
possibility of war with England but so far no
public body in America had spoken of its inevita-
bility and, in calling upon the convention to
adopt his resolution. he was asking 1t virtually
to declare
should oppose it They prudent politicians;
they did not see the necessity of taking such
decisive action and for that we cannot blame
them. After listening to the animated debate"
on his resolution, Henry arose and began:
mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge
In illusions of hope. We are apt to shut eyes
against a 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 great
dnnn CTR OOlp fnr rty1 Arc NO acod
to be of the number of those, who. having eyes,
see not, and having ears, hear not the things
which so nearly concern their temporal saliva
ton? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit 1t
may cost. am willing to know the whole truth;
to know the worst and provide for 1t.
81 have but one lamp by which my feet are
guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I
know of no way of judging of the future, but by
the past And judging by the past. l wish to
know what there has been in the conduct Of
the British ministry for the last ten years to
justify those hopes with which gentlemen have
been pleased to solace themselves and the house?
Is it that nsidious smile with which petition
has lately been received? Trust it not. sir. 1t
will prove snare to your feet. Suffer not your
selves to be betrayed with kiss
ASK yourself how this gracious reception Of
petition COMFORTS with these warlike prep
aratons which cover our waters and darken our
of love and reconciliation? Have we shown our
selves so unwilling to be reconciled that force
must be called in to win back our love? Let
not deceive ourselves, sir. These are implements
of war and subjugation the last arguments to
which kings resort. ask gentlemen, sir, what
means this martial array, If it's purpose be not
to force to submission? Can gentlemen as
sign any other possible motive for it? Has Great
Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world
to call for all this accumulation of naves and
armies? No sir, she has none. They meant
for US they can be meant for no other They
are sent over to bind and rfvet upon those
chains which the British ministry have been
long forging And what have we to oppose to
them? Shall we try argument? Sir we have been
trying that for the last ten years Have we any
thing new to offer upon the subject? Nothing.
We have held the subject up In every light of
which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplica-
ton? What terms shall we find which have not
been already exhausted? Let us not / beseech
YOU sir, deceive ourselves longer.
"Sir we have done everything that could be
done to avert the storm which is now coming on.