Free Republic

Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots, by Thomas S. Kidd (Basic, 320 pp., $28) Peruse the language of the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street movements, and you will, at some point, encounter “give me liberty or give me death.” Apart from the various preambles and amendments to our founding documents, these are arguably the best- known and most invoked words from the American Revolution. The phrase has far outlived the reputation of its author: two centuries after his death, Patrick Henry remains associated with a fragment of a speech he delivered at Richmond’s St. John’s church in the spring...

This excerpt is from Patrick Henry's greatest speech, "Shall Liberty or Empire Be Sought?" where he argued against adoption of the Constitution: In this scheme of energetic government, the people will find two sets of tax-gatherers — the state and the federal sheriffs. This, it seems to me, will produce such dreadful oppression as the people cannot possibly bear. The federal sheriff may commit what oppression, make what distresses, he pleases, and ruin you with impunity; for how are you to tie his hands? Have you any sufficiently decided means of preventing him from sucking your blood by speculations, commissions, and fees?...

Great virtual video! PATRICK HENRY, first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, gave his famous and fiery speech before the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775 imploring his fellow Americans to take up arms against the British colonialists that ended in the immortal lines "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!" [youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W72tx_UW9TM;"] link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W72tx_UW9TM link: http://factreal.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/founding-fathers-and-war-give-me-liberty-or-give-me-death-by-patrick-henry/ more

March 2010 marked the 235th anniversary of one of the most important speeches delivered in US history as the colonies prepared to shed its chains from the British tyrants. The rhetoric used by the great statesman, Patrick Henry, resonates very well today as this nation faces tyrants of its own.

It was with this speech at the Virginia House of Burgesses at St John's Church in Richmond, Virginia that Patrick Henry influenced his fellow delegates to make Virginia join the American Revolution. The rest, as they say, is history. But history is a beautifully intricate thing. Yes, Patrick Henry's now famous speech and oratory served as the impetus for Virginia to join ranks with her sister colonies against the British, but it did much more than that. Today, outside a window at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, there stands a grave and marker that's not at all fancy but...

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...

This month marks the 235th anniversary of Patrick Henry's famous, "Give me liberty, or give me death!", speech. Given without notes or teleprompter, Patrick Henry's words showed the depth of his conviction and passion in opposing the tyranny of British rule. A couple of sentences caught my eye: "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope", reminded me of a recent political campaign (tongue in cheek), and "The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!", reminded me of the modern version of throwing down the gauntlet,...

Young America’s Foundation is pleased to release the sixth annual “Top Conservative College” list in response to the frequently asked question by parents and students of which schools we recommend to those seeking conservative colleges. A wide variety of rankings exist for the market of American colleges and universities. Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases its “America’s Best Colleges” edition. The magazine grades each institution based on factors including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, and student selectivity. Yet, U.S. News does not rank the overall experience that colleges offer. That is why Young America’s Foundation...

Tomorrow, February 22, at 5:00 pm, I’ll close my office door and take five minutes to quietly reflect upon heroism, honor, courage and fealty to truth. And I’ll grieve about the sometimes tragic consequences of correctly answering Patrick Henry’s historic question: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” Knowing the dearness of life and the sweetness of peace, Mr. Henry’s answer was: “Forbid it, Almighty God!” He then concluded, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”...

During the Tea Party convention Judge Roy Moore, speaking on Feb. 5, 2010, recalled the words of American patriots and began by quoting Thomas Paine:

Nowadays, we’re all familiar with the formula: Government alarms the citizenry with a trumped up crisis from which the only refuge is more and bigger government. But did you know that’s how our government was born? Here are excerpts from Patrick Henry’s speeches at the Virginia Convention, where he spells it out: Manufactured Alarm Where is the danger? If, sir, there was any, I would recur to the American spirit to defend us; that spirit which has enabled us to surmount the greatest difficulties -- to that illustrious spirit I address my most fervent prayer to prevent our adopting a...

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...

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!   For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.   Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!     ~ Hall of Heroes ~Patrick Henry...a slightly different take on our heroes, in honor of Independence Day...             Born: May 29, 1736 Birthplace: Hanover County, Virginia Education: (Lawyer, Politician) Work: Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses, 1765; Admitted to the Bar of the General Court in Virginia, 1769; Elected to the Continental Congress, 1774;...

WOW. This is one fiery speech! Slams everything -- Obama, congress, bailouts, trampling on the Constitution, SCOTUS ... even suggests that we may get to the point where only the Taliban or bin Laden or Castro can rescue America from Obama!

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 that 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 question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it...

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 that 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 question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it...

If this be treason, make the most of it. No, not treason against this wonderful nation. But this column may sound suspiciously like treason against the cult of Obama, and against his hagiographers in the establishment media, and against the very idea that this president actually loves this nation's liberal, republican, constitutional order. Consider this also to be treason against the myth that our president is a man of deep, or even average, integrity. Barack Obama is a radical's radical and a man whose ego vastly outstrips his prior accomplishments. He is dangerous, and after just seven weeks he already...

Channeling the Young Patrick Henry By Quin Hillyer March 13, 2009 If this be treason, make the most of it. No, not treason against this wonderful nation. But this column may sound suspiciously like treason against the cult of Obama, and against his hagiographers in the establishment media, and against the very idea that this president actually loves this nation's liberal, republican, constitutional order. Consider this also to be treason against the myth that our president is a man of deep, or even average, integrity. Barack Obama is a radical's radical and a man whose ego vastly outstrips his prior...