Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/297

 LIFE OF HENRY. 21S

every true American; but suspicions have gone forth — suspicions of my integrity — ^pubUcly reported that my professions are not real — twenty-tliree years ago was I supposed a traitor to my country: I was then said to be a bane of sedition, because I supported the rights of my country: I may be thought suspicious, when I say our privileges and rights are in danger: but sir, a num- ber of the people of this country are weak enough to think these things are too true. I am happy to find, that the gentleman on the other side declares they are groundless: but sir, suspicion is a virtue, as long as its object is the preservation of the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds: should it fall on me, I am contented: conscious rectitude is a powerful consolation: I trust there are many who think my pro- fessions for the pubhc good to be real. Let your sus- picion look to both sides: there are many on the other side, who possibly may have been persuaded of the necessity of these measures, which I conceive to be dangerous to your hberty. Guard with jealous atten- tion, the public liberty. Suspect eveiy one who ap- proaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will pre- serve it but downright force: whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined. I am answered by gentlemen, that though I might speak of terrors, yet the fact was, that we were surrounded by none of the dangers I apprehended. I conceive this new govern- ment to be one of those dangers: it has produced those horrors, which distress many of our best citizens. We are come hither to preserve the poor commonwealth of Virginia, if it can be possibly done: something must be done to preserve your liberty and mine. The confede- ration, this same despised government, merits in my opinion, the highest encomium: it carried us through a

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