American Eloquence, Volume I | Page 7

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 as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and
in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is
only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility

Which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time,
through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my
country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above
all earthly-kings.
Mr. President, 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 syren, 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
these war-like 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
motives 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 any thing new to offer on 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 every thing
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