Friday, March 23, 2007
This Day in American History
On this day in 1775, at the Second Virginia Convention held in St. John's Episcopal Church (to the left, as it looks now) in Richmond, VA, Patrick Henry closed the sessions with a rousing speech recognizing that the colonies in the north were already fighting the war with England, finishing:
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!
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 6:08 AM 
