Today marks the birthday of Patrick Henry (1736), America's "Orator of
Liberty." His "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in March 1775
was the spark that ignited the Revolution in Virginia, and continues
to serve as a battle cry for all who seek to overthrow tyrants. But
the influence of "The Voice of the Revolution" was greater than that.
He was the first to raise his voice against England for taxation
without representation. He led the attack against the Stamp Act in
1765, as well as being a leader in every protest against British
tyranny and every movement for colonists' rights afterwards.
He helped draft the Virginia Constitution and the May 1776 declaration
favoring independence. He was the first governor of Virginia. He
opposed the Constitution for fear that it would lead to centralization
and then led in the fight for a Bill of Rights as a gaurantor. He was
offered posts as Chief Justice and Secretary of State, which he turned
down because of failing health.
All most people know about Patrick Henry today is his most famous
quote. But he was central to both American heritage, and to the
concept of liberty in general. Below are some other memorable quotes
by Henry.
"Liberty is the greatest of all earthly blessings...the dearest rights
of man...the time has been, when every pulse of my heart beat for
American liberty; and which, I believe, had a counterpart in the
breast of every true American..."
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who
approaches that jewel."
"...those nations who have gone from a simple to a splendid
Government?...What can make an adequate satisfaction to them for the
loss they suffered...the loss of their liberty?"
"Those nations who have gone in search of grandeur, power, and
splendor, have also fallen a sacrifice, and been the victims of their
own folly...they lost their freedom."
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain
the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the
government--lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Also -- the full text of Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
speech can be found here.
Phaedrus
Liberty." His "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in March 1775
was the spark that ignited the Revolution in Virginia, and continues
to serve as a battle cry for all who seek to overthrow tyrants. But
the influence of "The Voice of the Revolution" was greater than that.
He was the first to raise his voice against England for taxation
without representation. He led the attack against the Stamp Act in
1765, as well as being a leader in every protest against British
tyranny and every movement for colonists' rights afterwards.
He helped draft the Virginia Constitution and the May 1776 declaration
favoring independence. He was the first governor of Virginia. He
opposed the Constitution for fear that it would lead to centralization
and then led in the fight for a Bill of Rights as a gaurantor. He was
offered posts as Chief Justice and Secretary of State, which he turned
down because of failing health.
All most people know about Patrick Henry today is his most famous
quote. But he was central to both American heritage, and to the
concept of liberty in general. Below are some other memorable quotes
by Henry.
"Liberty is the greatest of all earthly blessings...the dearest rights
of man...the time has been, when every pulse of my heart beat for
American liberty; and which, I believe, had a counterpart in the
breast of every true American..."
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who
approaches that jewel."
"...those nations who have gone from a simple to a splendid
Government?...What can make an adequate satisfaction to them for the
loss they suffered...the loss of their liberty?"
"Those nations who have gone in search of grandeur, power, and
splendor, have also fallen a sacrifice, and been the victims of their
own folly...they lost their freedom."
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain
the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the
government--lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Also -- the full text of Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
speech can be found here.
Phaedrus
