Was Patrick Henry America's first badass?

[Jeremy]

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/2442/patrickhenryrothermelcz6.jpg

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. 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 that 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!"

[Andrew Ryan]

There's no doubt in my mind.

[RockEnds]

That is my favorite Revolutionary quote.

[Jeremy]

That is my favorite Revolutionary quote.

Well here's the whole thing. :D


No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as 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 shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. 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 above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. 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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? 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? 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.

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 of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I 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 insidious smile 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. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? 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 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? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so 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 anything 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 supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. 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. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. 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 it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

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 the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? 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? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The 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. 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. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. 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 that 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!

[RockEnds]

Yes, I've read it many times. If I remember right, the speech was not written. It was paraphrased later.

[Jeremy]

Yes, I've read it many times. If I remember right, the speech was not written. It was paraphrased later.

probably



Anyway, the main point of this thread is to show off that pic :D

He looks like he could kill anyone just by staring at them long enough

[Roxi]

one of the first :)

[RockEnds]

probably



Anyway, the main point of this thread is to show off that pic :D

He looks like he could kill anyone just by staring at them long enough

I like the picture, but I love the speech. Good reading while I fight insomnia before my morning trip to Minnesota. :)

[revolutionary8]

Was Benedict Arnold America's first badass?
If not, prove me wrong...

[Jeremy]

Was Benedict Arnold America's first badass?

America's first weakling!

Badass means you're eXtreme, to the MAX, etc.

[revolutionary8]

America's first weakling!

Badass means you're eXtreme, to the MAX, etc.

lmao.
BA was WEAK.
L.M.A.O
STORMY,
PUT DOWN THE HISTORY BOOKS. :cool:

[Jeremy]

lmao.
BA was WEAK.
L.M.A.O
STORMY,
PUT DOWN THE HISTORY BOOKS. :cool:


Yes he was very weak. Weak in the head. Easily influenced. Etc.

[revolutionary8]

Yes he was very weak. Weak in the head. Easily influenced. Etc.

Are you JOKING?
Let's hope so.

[Jeremy]

Are you JOKING?
Let's hope so.

Why? He joined the loyalists and then THEY didn't even trust him so he died and no one liked him...

[revolutionary8]

This is just like "The Civil War was fought over slavery" type brainwashing...

Do you REALLY think the RW was any different???

Re-think.
Re-Learn.

[revolutionary8]

Why? He joined the loyalists and then THEY didn't even trust him so he died and no one liked him...

No he didn't. He LEFT "the Loyalists" AFTER HE KICKED OUR ASS (because we deserved every bit of it NY), AFTER hE KICKED Our ASS (in NY), AND,,,,, when they had us in scope. Cornwallis. They would have WON had he stayed.

[Jeremy]

This is just like "The Civil War was fought over slavery" type brainwashing...

Do you REALLY think the RW was any different???

Re-think.
Re-Learn.

So the RW wasn't fought to free America from the King? :eek:

[Grimnir Wotansvolk]

The American Revolution was as unjustified as....any other war the U.S. has involved itself in. It could have easily been resolved peacefully.

[Jeremy]

The American Revolution was as unjustified as....any other war the U.S. has involved itself in. It could have easily been resolved peacefully.

Peacfully -

King - OK, let's work this out, just don't leave me.
Americans - OK, we will stay under your rule oh good king.
Patrick Henry - Give me a klondike bar or give me death/

[revolutionary8]

The American Revolution was as unjustified as....any other war the U.S. has involved itself in. It could have easily been resolved peacefully.

Yes, and Benedict Arnold was on our side. Until we pissed him off. And he had EVERY RIGHT to be PO'd and we deserved everything we got.

BLOWBACK.

[ChickenHawk]

Peacfully -

King - OK, let's work this out, just don't leave me.
Americans - OK, we will stay under your rule oh good king.
Patrick Henry - Give me a klondike bar or give me death/


For some people chains and slavery are a small price to pay for peace.

[Jeremy]

Yes, and Benedict Arnold was on our side. Until we pissed him off. And he had EVERY RIGHT to be PO'd and we deserved everything we got.

BLOWBACK.

Why was he pissed off? Because Washington didn't make him vice-general? Yah, he was jealous, so he fought against American independence.

[Jeremy]

For some people chains and slavery are a small price to pay for peace.

"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 the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? 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? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The 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."

Pacifism can be dangerous and I'm looking at this one way: That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness

Are you implying that the King was OK with abolishing his government?

[revolutionary8]

So the RW wasn't fought to free America from the King? :eek:

where are you getting this question? Yes. It was. But the EVENTUAL outcome was known. Especially to Benedict Arnold.
He kicked ass and took names. Period. THEN HE LEFT....
WHY wasn't he promoted here in the US? Why wasn't he given "the lead" here in the "good ol" US of A? he, of anybody, deserved it.
WHY???

[Jeremy]

where are you getting this question? Yes. It was. But the EVENTUAL outcome was known.

If it wasn't for the King's war, maybe it wouldn't have triggered the declaration, which triggered the defensive war

and who cares if he wasnt promoted. get over it. he should have been fighting for freedom, not a job.... my goodness

[revolutionary8]

Why was he pissed off? Because Washington didn't make him vice-general? Yah, he was jealous, so he fought against American independence.

You are mistaken- -WASHINGTON, wanted to make him GENERAL. It was "The Powers That Be" that REFUSED Washington.

[revolutionary8]

If it wasn't for the King's war, maybe it wouldn't have triggered which triggered the defensive war
the declaration,
and who cares if he wasnt promoted. get over it. he should have been fighting for freedom, not a job.... my goodness

The Declaration?
-Careful now YaNKEE.
my goodness, STOP GOING TO SCHOOL- you are wrecking your mind. .

[ChickenHawk]

Are you implying that the King was OK with abolishing his government?

Sorry, but I'm confused by that question. I was only pointing out that some people value peace more than freedom. I'm certainly not implying that I agree with it though.

[Jeremy]

You are mistaken- -WASHINGTON, wanted to make him GENERAL. It was "The Powers That Be" that REFUSED Washington.

And since he was more interested in a good job than liberty, it was ok for him to fight against other people trying to protect their own freedom?

[Jeremy]

The Declaration?
-Careful now YaNKEE.
my goodness, STOP GOING TO SCHOOL.

what are you even talking about?

yankee? what? are you honestly drunk atm? :confused:

[revolutionary8]

And since he was more interested in a goof job than liberty, it was ok for him to fight against other people trying to protect their own freedom?

GOOD (F) JOB?
you have GOT TO BE JOKING???
Benedict Arnold WAS NEVER RE-IMBURSED for his own expenses!!! Including hIS OWN LEG!!!! THAT WAS SHOT OFF!!

Just Joking. L M A O.

[revolutionary8]

what are you even talking about?

yankee? what? are you honestly drunk atm? :confused:

Yeah, I am drunk. :D No such thang as Yankees and Rebels. It's just your imagination- and stuff you see on reality TV. :D And Goofy Legs. :D

[Jeremy]

GOOD JOB?
you have GOT TO BE JOKING???
Benedict Arnold WAS NEVER RE-IMBURSED for his own expenses!!! Including hIS OWN LEG!!!! THAT WAS SHOT OFF!!
lmao.

That's like saying RP's campaign staff should have joined the McCain camp for a better pay. I don't care if everyone in America hated Arnold. You're saying he fought for his job, not for freedom. And this... somehow.... makes him a hero???

[Jeremy]

wait....

"just joking"

wow, you are drunk ._.

[revolutionary8]

what are you even talking about?

yankee? what? are you honestly drunk atm? :confused:

Yeah Storm, I am drunk.
Benedict Arnold was a pussy. :D
And the Civil War was fought over Slavery. :D

[Jeremy]

Then thanks for wasting an hour of my time! It's 3AM and I could have been sleeping!

<.<

>.>

[revolutionary8]

wait....

"just joking"

wow, you are drunk ._.

Yeah...
That is what they all say... :D

[revolutionary8]

Then thanks for wasting an hour of my time! It's 3AM and I could have been sleeping!

<.<

>.>

Idiot, you COULD HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT BENEDICT ARNOLD
Then, and only then, you would have realized that I am not "drunk". :D.
But hey, that sure is easy---

"He's drunk!"

[revolutionary8]

///

[richardfortherepublic]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Adams


Samuel Adams is way more bad-ass. I did a report news paper thing on him in the 6th grade, and that's what brought me here.

[UnReconstructed]

Patrick Henry: Against the Constitution (http://www.wfu.edu/~zulick/340/henry.html)

The Anti-Federalist Papers (http://patriotpost.us/antifedpapers/antifedpapers.html)

[Jeremy]

Patrick Henry: Against the Constitution (http://www.wfu.edu/~zulick/340/henry.html)

The Anti-Federalist Papers (http://patriotpost.us/antifedpapers/antifedpapers.html)

That was until he got the Bill of Rights in there and then joined the Republican Party.

[Truth Warrior]

I nominate Alexander Hamilton for the title. :p

Traitor to the Amercan Revolution. Today's guiding "spirit" for the Federal government status quo, as we know it. :rolleyes:

[airborne373]

Actually General Arnold was Washington's most successful and beloved commander in the field. George was broken hearted by the betrayal as was Arnold's wife. Washington stepped in to protect Arnold's wife when he fled to England.