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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry wanted the Constitution to have a Bill of Rights attached to it — a list of powers that the government could never use against the people of the United States.
PATRICK HENRY

Attachment Government People Power Right
Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
PATRICK HENRY

Force Preserve Ruin Will
Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third — [‘Treason!’ cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
PATRICK HENRY

Death Literature
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
PATRICK HENRY

Democracy Government Live People
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.
PATRICK HENRY

Hope Illusion Listen Man Nature Ourselves Pain Transformation Truth
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, Sir, let it come!
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Brave Desire Enough Prison Slave Strong War
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.
PATRICK HENRY

Myself Spirit Truth Willing Worst
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. Beside, 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.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Destiny Enemy Fight Force Friendship God Liberty People
It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
PATRICK HENRY

Forget God People Prison
Congress may carry on the most wicked and pernicious of schemes under the dark veil of secrecy. The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
PATRICK HENRY

Carry Darkness Liberty People Rule Secret Secure Transaction
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY

Different Language Liberty Spirit Youth
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
PATRICK HENRY

Dream Future History Myself Past
If this be treason, make the most of it!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Funny
Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
PATRICK HENRY

Last Protection Trust
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Force Liberty Man Ruin Weapon Yourself
We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or other officials, only men that know the law of the realm and are minded to keep it well.
PATRICK HENRY

Justice Law Man Mindset

I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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