Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/298

 274 SKETCHES OF THE

long and dangerous war: it rendered us victorious in that bloody conflict with a powerful nation: it has secured us a territory greater than any European mo- narch possesses: and shall a government which has been thus sti'ong and vigorous, be accused of imbecihty^ and abandoned for want of energy? Consider what you are about to do, before you part with this government. Take longer time in reckoning things: revolutions like this have happened in almost every countiy in Europe: similar examples are to be found in ancient Greece and ancient Rome: instances of the people losing their liberty by their own carelessness and the ambition of a few. We are cautioned by the honourable gentleman who presides, against faction and turbulence: I acknow- ledge that licentiousness is dangerous, and that it ought to be provided against: I acknowledge also, the new form of government may effectually prevent it: yet there is another thing it will as effectually do: it will oppress and ruin the people. There are sufficient guards placed against faction and Hcentiousness: for when power is given to this government to suppress these, or for any other purpose, the language it assumes is clear, express, and unequivocal: but when this constitution speaks of privileges, there is an mnhiguity, sir, di fatal ambiguity, an ambiguity which is very astonishing!^^

The adoption of the instrument had been maintain- ed upon the ground that it would increase our mili- tary strength, and enable us to resist the lawless ambi- tion of foreign princes: — it had been urged too, that if the convention should rise without adopting the instru- ment, disunion and anarchy would be the certain conse- quences. In answer to these topics he said — " Happy will you be, if you miss the fate of those nations, who omitting to resist their oppressors, or negligently suffer-

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