What if Patrick Henry gave his speech today? Re-writing History By Matthew Mittan Have you ever asked yourself, 'what if'? What if we took patriotic speeches from colonial times, that are recited in schools all across America, and updated them to fit current circumstances? What if someone went onto the floor of Congress and delivered such a speech? What if someone recited it in a school today? Let's try it out, with that in mind, and see how we feel about it? "The War Inevitable: 2001" (Based On The Speech "The War Inevitable" By Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.) No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as the abilities, of the very honorable gentlemen who have just addressed Congress. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful if, entertaining, as I do, opinions very much an affront to political correctness, I should speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the nation is of dire importance to the future of liberty in this country. For my own part, I consider it 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 fulfill 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 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 and presidents. Fellow citizens, it is natural for us 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. Is this the behavior 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, not see, and having ears, not hear, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of my own 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 earthly lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of history. I know of no way of judging the future but by looking to the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the Federal Government, for the last several years, to justify those hopes with which so many of my fellow tax-payers have been pleased to solace themselves with. Is it that insidious smile with which our complaints are received by career politicians? Trust it not, friends; 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 grievances matches up with those warlike preparations which fill so many federal bureaucracies and the growing police state which covers our land. Are armed agencies, with a license to kill, necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves to be so unwilling to be reconciled that military style force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, brothers and sisters. These are the implements of war and subjugation, --the last arguments to which tyrants resort. I ask you, gentlemen, why this martial array, if its purpose is not to force us into submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Does Washington, D.C. have any enemy within the borders of this fine land, to call for all this accumulation of armed power? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are ready to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the federal bureaucrats have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the several years. Have we anything new to offer upon that 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 begging, and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, America, deceive ourselves longer. We have done everything 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 Congress, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the federal bureaucracies. Our petitions have been slighted; our firm resistance has produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned with contempt at the foot of the courts. 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 enjoying; if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle and sacrifices to which our fathers and grandfathers so long engaged, and which our national soul has pledged never to abandon, --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 be stronger? Will it be the next week, will it be next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a federal 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 has placed in our power. 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 any enemy can send against us. Besides, 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 with us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone: it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. Our people are left to "the lesser of evils" year after year. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but into submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Waco, and Ruby Ridge and Oklahoma City and now, in our churches and in the minds and hearts of our government educated children!. It screams in the death cries of over 45 million defensless, innocent unborn children slaughtered by the edicts of vain tribunals of death in this Nation that would dare call itself a Christian Nation. The war is inevitable. And let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the West will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

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