Well-Behaved People Rarely Make History
Well-Behaved People Rarely Make History
“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.” (Patrick Henry) Patrick Henry didn’t wish to sit idly by as the British took away there rights one by one without even regarding the pleads of colonists for peace. To be truthful, most colonists didn’t wish to use violence. They solely wanted to be looked upon with favor by England. They wanted the same rights as any other Englishman. Seeing as though Britain was reluctant to do so, Patrick Henry saw this and heeded the call to action.
Why sit and do as the English say so that later they can carelessly use the colonists as if they were lesser men? Further in his Speech to the Virginia Convention Henry states, “ Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.” what he means is that it is natural that man hopes for freedom without fighting. His refutation comes with the use of the word “illusions.” He is refuting by saying that freedom without fighting is only an illusion—it cannot be a reality. Also he states later in the speech, “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?” In which he means that they have seen what Britain is doing, they know the wrongs that have been done against them, yet they sit and still solemnly fall victim to their wishes like puppets played by the king’s hand. He
“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.” (Patrick Henry) Patrick Henry didn’t wish to sit idly by as the British took away there rights one by one without even regarding the pleads of colonists for peace. To be truthful, most colonists didn’t wish to use violence. They solely wanted to be looked upon with favor by England. They wanted the same rights as any other Englishman. Seeing as though Britain was reluctant to do so, Patrick Henry saw this and heeded the call to action.
Why sit and do as the English say so that later they can carelessly use the colonists as if they were lesser men? Further in his Speech to the Virginia Convention Henry states, “ Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.” what he means is that it is natural that man hopes for freedom without fighting. His refutation comes with the use of the word “illusions.” He is refuting by saying that freedom without fighting is only an illusion—it cannot be a reality. Also he states later in the speech, “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?” In which he means that they have seen what Britain is doing, they know the wrongs that have been done against them, yet they sit and still solemnly fall victim to their wishes like puppets played by the king’s hand. He