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Your Quotes for 29 May 2006 - Patrick Henry

This is Memorial Day in the US, a day to remember those who answered the call to take up arms and serve this country in military service. It seems to me that it is fitting to remember one who gave voice to one of the earliest such calls in this country, the call to risk life to gain liberty, to throw off the yoke of British colonial government of the original colonies. Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia on this day in 1736.

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!

It is natural to man to indulge in the illusion of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against the painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts.

You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your government.

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.

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.
     - All from Patrick Henry, 1736 - 1799

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