Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/296

 212 SKETCHES OF THE

is a revolution as radical as that which separated us from Great Britain. It is as radical, if in this transi- tion our rights and privileges are endangered, and the sovereignty of the states be relinquished: and cannot we plainly see, that this is actually the case? The rights of conscience, trial by jury, liberty of the press, all your immunities and franchises, all pretensions to human rights and privileges, are rendered insecure, if not lost, by this change so loudly talked of by some, and so inconsiderately by others. Is this tame relin- quishment of rights worthy of freemen? Is it worthy of that manly fortitude that ought to characterize repub- licans? It is said eight states have adopted this plan: I declare, that if twelve states and an half had adopted it, I would with manly firmness, and in spite of an erring world, reject it. You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to be- come a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the dif^ect end of your government. Is it necessary for your liberty, that you should abandon those great rights by the adop- tion of this system ? Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury, and the liberty of the press, necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings — give us that pe- ciaiis jewel, and you may take every thing else! But I am fearful I have lived long enough to become an old fashioned fellow. Perhaps an invincible attachment to the dearest rights of man, may, in these refirwd, enlight- ened days, be deemed old fashioned: if so, I am con- tented to be so: I say, the time has been, when eveiy pulse of my heart beat for American liberty, and which, I believe, had a counterpart in the breast of

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