This morning, after the Republicans won back the House of Representatives in yesterdays mid-term elections, but failed to win a majority in the Senate, and after "Dirty" Harry Reid of NV was elected by whatever dirty deeds we don't know (yet), I had a commiserating phone call from a friend. An immigrant from Hungary who opines that American young people are woefully unread and under-educated in regards to their own history. I have to agree with that assessment. I recently heard our founders described as a "bunch of old, dead white men". First of all, they weren't all old, white, or men. The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was 26 year old Edward Rutledge of South Carolina; blacks fought alongside whites in the Revolutionary War; and there were women soldiers, one of which was in Washington's boat crossing the Delaware. Second, we should all thank God for that small group of men with their dream of freedom (not just the purvue of MLK Jr.) and the courage of their convictions; who pledged each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. That last, the sacred honor, is all too sadly lacking in America today. And yes, they did have fortunes; George Washington was a descendent of the ruling house of England. By the end of the Revolutionary War, most of them had indeed given their fortunes, and a lot of them had given their lives. We need the Spirit of '76 in America today.
Most of us remember scant of our history lessons, but most of us remember the words "Give me liberty or give me death", sometimes without remembering who said it, or when. The winds of the Revolutionary War started blowing long before that fateful July 4, 1776. The colonies had started organizing; and one colony, Virginia, had established a House of Burgesses, in opposition to the rule of the Governor appointed by King George of England.. In March of 1775, attorney Patrick Henry was riding thru the town square of Culpepper VA when he saw a man tied to a whipping post, being scourged with whips laced with metal. When Henry asked why, he was told that the man was a minister who refused to stop preaching the word of God without a license from the King of England. There were a total of 12 ministers that day, all beaten to death by the King George's "enforcers". That brave minister had declared at his trial, without benefit of a jury of his peers, that he was authorized by God Almighty, not the King of England. I see a parallel between the Court of England and the government of the United States. Our government is trying to suppress, control, and dictate to us, the right to worship our God, the God of Christians in America.
Here is the text of the speech that Patrick Henry gave 3 days later, March 23, 1775, before the Virginia House of Burgesses, with my own comments in italics; The War Inevitable Speech by Patrick Henry:
"No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as the abilities of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subject in different lights, and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I should speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country (just as today, as we are being led, almost forced into socialism). Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere about all earthly kings (if we keep our mouths shut out of political correctness, we risk a grave injustice to America and God).
"Mister President, it is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope (or, the illusion that is "hope and change"). We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth - and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts (wake up America, or we won't recognize what we have become). Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty (a struggle like we're in today)? 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 concern their temporal salvation (America, open your eyes, your ears)? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it (the truth is not always pretty, but Americans are strong).
"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past (learn from the past, don't repeat mistakes). And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry (Obama regime) for the last ten years (2 years) to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house (to justify trusting them)? Is it that insidious smile (smug smirk) with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet.
"Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss (see both sides of Obama's duplicity). Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land (Obama has declared war on half of American, those who disagree with him are enemies). Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation (wny does Obama need a National Security Force)? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation - the last arguments to which kings (or dictators) resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it (well, why does he need his own civilian army)? Has Great Britain (the Obama regime) any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies (to appoint so many "czars" and expand the Dept of Injustice)? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can almost be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains (increased taxes and regulations), which the British ministry (Obama regime) have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten (2) years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it was capable; but it has been all in vain (Obama doesn't listen to us). Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find that we have not already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on (vote them out).
"We have petitioned - we have remonstrated - we have supplicated - we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament (we have demonstrated, rallied and picketed to try to stop Obama and the Democrat Congress). Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult (we have been insulted, vilified, and beaten down); our supplications have been disregarded (laws have been rammed down our throats); and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne (Obama declared "I won"). In vain, after these things, we may indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope (Obama turns a deaf ear). If we wish to be free - if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending - if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon, until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained - we must fight? - I repeat, sir we must fight (America, unless we want to lose what our founders gave their lives for, our freedom, privileges and rights, we must never give up, never give in)! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us (we must engage God in our struggle)!
"They tell us, sir, that we are weak - unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week or the next year (the time is now, the place is here)? Will it be when we are totally disarmed (2nd Amendment right), and when a British guard (civilian security force) shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction (lethargy weakens)? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot (appeasement doesn't work)? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means the God of Nature hath placed in our power (God will strengthen us). Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us (we're Americans, we can prevail). Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us (God will be with us). The battle, sir is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election (he means no choice). If we are base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest (wanting freedom is the 1st step to attaining it). There is not retreat, but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged (Obama and his corrupt cartel already intend to subjugate us). Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston? The war is inevitable - and let it come (once again, America has to fight for it's freedom, this time from within)! I repeat, sir, let it come!
"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace - but there is no peace (burying your head in the sand won't make it go away). The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it the gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God - I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
AND TO THAT I CAN ONLY ADD: A RESOUNDING "AMEN!"
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