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 longer.
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 has
placed in our power. 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.
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! |