250 years ago, on March 23, 1775, Real Federalist (aka “Anti-Federalist”) Patrick Henry gave his famous speech, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” to the First Continental Congress.
"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven which I revere above all earthly kings."
I love this...especially coming from the perspective of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven. The founders were morally upright and that makes a difference in how seriously ones opinions are taken. Imagine my horror scrolling down your post and seeing that thing which creeps along the halls of Congress now. What a joke and what disrespect those people show to the nation and the citizens, and the blood that was shed to give us our freedom. Thank you.♥
Thank you Liz! That was wonderful. I remember analyzing Patrick Henry's speech in a high school American History class. It was also incorporated into an American Federal Government course in college. I am a member of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and look forward to sharing your work at an upcoming event.
The poetry and imagery of Henry's speech! So rousing, so inspiring. Love, love, love it.
I do have one question, Liz. You refer to us as equal creations of God (I'm paraphrasing.). Then go on to say we're unequal in "personhood." Could you describe how you mean "personhood?"
My understanding of personhood is this is the quality of being an individual person so my meaning is that people are not equal - some are smarter, prettier, stronger, weaker, etc.
Although I could see the argument that we should be treated equally - which perhaps is how some people might understand that phrase.
That word made me slow down at that part of your essay. My reaction could come down solely to my bias toward it for its use/meaning as a legal term. It differs from "person."
As a legal term, "personhood" conveys a person's status within a particular state, society or jurisdiction. Therefore, it can shift or differ. For example, people hold differences of opinion on when human personhood (vs. life) begins...or when it ends. Conception? "Viability?" Irreversible coma? When someone turns 18?
Dred Scott's status was argued, his personhood and citizenship argued. Yet because he was a human being, a person, that infamous decision created outrage and derision -- and rightly so.
"Personhood" is a fluid term, varying by time and culture. Yet always at the heart of the question is a human individual, a sovereign being made in the image and likeness of God. Differing attributes, attitudes, talents aside, we're all individual persons, equally created.
Might be slicing this a bit too thin, Liz, for the purposes of your essay, but those are my thoughts.
Patrick Henry was one of the few of American patriots who survived the war of independence. Give me liberty or give me death was a noble sentiment that inspired thousands of others to actually die for the cause not only then but throughout our history as a nation. As has been true of humanity, much of the success of America and the loss of Great Britain then and now has been the rapacious efforts at personal wealth pursuit.
The easiest to recognize are the approximately two thousand pirate ships that inadvertently aided America while they attempted to enrich themselves by seizing cargoes and collecting ransom for kidnapped sailors and prominent land dwellers in raided ports. Of course, they weren't called pirates, but privateers. Under cover of war, criminals have always affected the outcomes of battles by both plunder and diverting resources to defend against them. Much that has been labeled diplomacy is exchanging money for prisoners--actually indistinguishable from kidnapping and ransom. Give me liberty or give me death is easily transformed into your money or your life.
"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven which I revere above all earthly kings."
I love this...especially coming from the perspective of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven. The founders were morally upright and that makes a difference in how seriously ones opinions are taken. Imagine my horror scrolling down your post and seeing that thing which creeps along the halls of Congress now. What a joke and what disrespect those people show to the nation and the citizens, and the blood that was shed to give us our freedom. Thank you.♥
💯
Thank you Liz! That was wonderful. I remember analyzing Patrick Henry's speech in a high school American History class. It was also incorporated into an American Federal Government course in college. I am a member of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and look forward to sharing your work at an upcoming event.
Thank you, Mary! My g-mother was a member of DAR so I guess I would be eligible to join. I need to look into that.
The FAFO heard round the world.
The poetry and imagery of Henry's speech! So rousing, so inspiring. Love, love, love it.
I do have one question, Liz. You refer to us as equal creations of God (I'm paraphrasing.). Then go on to say we're unequal in "personhood." Could you describe how you mean "personhood?"
Thanks and love Patrick Henry too!
My understanding of personhood is this is the quality of being an individual person so my meaning is that people are not equal - some are smarter, prettier, stronger, weaker, etc.
Although I could see the argument that we should be treated equally - which perhaps is how some people might understand that phrase.
That word made me slow down at that part of your essay. My reaction could come down solely to my bias toward it for its use/meaning as a legal term. It differs from "person."
As a legal term, "personhood" conveys a person's status within a particular state, society or jurisdiction. Therefore, it can shift or differ. For example, people hold differences of opinion on when human personhood (vs. life) begins...or when it ends. Conception? "Viability?" Irreversible coma? When someone turns 18?
https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199766567/obo-9780199766567-0169.xml
Dred Scott's status was argued, his personhood and citizenship argued. Yet because he was a human being, a person, that infamous decision created outrage and derision -- and rightly so.
"Personhood" is a fluid term, varying by time and culture. Yet always at the heart of the question is a human individual, a sovereign being made in the image and likeness of God. Differing attributes, attitudes, talents aside, we're all individual persons, equally created.
Might be slicing this a bit too thin, Liz, for the purposes of your essay, but those are my thoughts.
Gotchya.
Patrick Henry was one of the few of American patriots who survived the war of independence. Give me liberty or give me death was a noble sentiment that inspired thousands of others to actually die for the cause not only then but throughout our history as a nation. As has been true of humanity, much of the success of America and the loss of Great Britain then and now has been the rapacious efforts at personal wealth pursuit.
The easiest to recognize are the approximately two thousand pirate ships that inadvertently aided America while they attempted to enrich themselves by seizing cargoes and collecting ransom for kidnapped sailors and prominent land dwellers in raided ports. Of course, they weren't called pirates, but privateers. Under cover of war, criminals have always affected the outcomes of battles by both plunder and diverting resources to defend against them. Much that has been labeled diplomacy is exchanging money for prisoners--actually indistinguishable from kidnapping and ransom. Give me liberty or give me death is easily transformed into your money or your life.
Thank you! You have a wealth of knowledge to add depth to the discussion. 🙏