Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Active Duty Marine and Fellow Oath Keeper Commemorates Patrick Henry's Speech



This young Marine, who we are honored to call a fellow Oath Keeper, channels the spirit of Patrick Henry with his own modern version of that great patriot's immortal "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!" speech.

And that reminds us: We here at Oath Keepers have been so busy trying to get caught up on emails and all the hectic, explosive growth of Oath Keepers, that we forgot to post Patrick Henry's speech on the proper anniversary. However, since every day is a good day to read Patrick Henry, here ya go! Read the original along with listening to the fiery words of the above active duty Marine - words that come from the same spirit of courage, defiance, and timeless devotion to liberty.


Fear not. Stand. "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me Liberty, or give me DEATH!"

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

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!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are we a nation of principles or a nation of sheep? Let us us answer that question one citizen at a time. It took only 3% of citizens to bear arms against the British...and be victorious! How many will it take now? Many more soldiers like that Marine in the video and we will win this fight without a shot being fired. The tyrants cannot depend on those who HONOR THEIR OATH!

Anonymous said...

It is a sad day that a man must cover his face in this country when he speaks his mind. I think that speaks louder than words about the fear of our government.

Anonymous said...

how do I post

Anonymous said...

So where were you people over the last 8 years?

CaptGooch said...

On 11 April at 7:56 AM
Anonymous said ....
"So where were you people over the last 8 years?"

Voting against all of the ridiculous spending programs at the local, State and national levels. Reminding my Congress persons that they work For US not the other way around.

What have YOU done ?

Remember that whenever you point your finger at any "other" in accusation you point three back at yourself.
Or as a fairly well accepted Book we probably all have heard of says ...
"Judge Not, Lest ye be judged and found wanting."

Seems to fit this instance to me.

Begone Mr Agent Provocateur.

"Not on Our Watch"

CaptGooch said...

On April 4th at 12:13 AM
Anonymous said ....
"It is a sad day that a man must cover his face in this country when he speaks his mind. I think that speaks louder than words about the fear of our government."

Indeed. A Sad day indeed.
Let us hope that it is not too late and that We Oath Keepers can reverse the fascism in place and restore our Constitutional Republic to our People.

With Marines such as this on our side I am heartened.

Semper Fidelis does "say it all" doesn't it ?

Time's a wasting Spread the Word.

For the Republic

Anonymous said...

This is to July4Patriot!

I AM SOOOOO GLAD WE MET for Tea @ a Capital by the Lake! For some time I've been the lone woman with the crazy conspirecies, shouting in parking lots, posting on the web, and holding up crazy signs like "U.S. GOV'T=TYRANNY+TRAITORS" and wearing "CHEMTRAILS KILL" masks. I stood alone, but I stood strong, sure, and FEARLESS!

My husband and I BOTH cried watching your videos. We did not cry for fear or sorrow, but because our hearts were growing so big for you and the rest of the Oath-Keepers. This was the ONE THING that would insure our freedom, AND HERE YOU ARE!!!!!! I CRY TEARS OF HAPPINESS EVERYTIME I READ THE WORDS OF TRUE SOLDIERS HERE ON THIS BLOG!

I COULDN'T BE MORE HONORED TO HAVE SUCH FINE SOULS AWAKE AND READY TO SHINE LIKE INDIGO!

I WILL STAND FIRM AGAINST ALL OPPOSITION TO ERODE FREEDOM AND IF NEED BE I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ENSURE THAT GOD-GIVEN RIGHT, AND IF NEED BE, AS I STAND AT YOUR SHOULDER I WILL PROUDLY LAY MY LIFE DOWN TO GUARANTEE THE FREEDOM OF THE FUTURE AND THE WORLD!!!

SEE YOU ON THE FRONT LINES... SAVING THE WORLD BROTHER!

ONE LOVE!

On my Sacred Honor I, CHRISTY ANGELLE TIETJE do swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely and without mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Do or Die Patriot,
Christy

www.myspace.com/christynine
AIM:Christynine
E-mail:C.Angelle.Wilson@Gmail.com

FUCK FEAR IN THE ASS FOR BREAKFAST!