Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/305

 I am sure most of this convention are of the same opinion^ have a king, lords, and commons, than a go- vernment so replete with such insupportable evils. If we make a king, we may prescribe the rules by which he shall rule his people, and interpose such checks as shall prevent him from infringing them: but the presi- dent in the fields at the liead of his army, can j)rescribe the terms on ivhich he shall reign master, so far that it will puzzle any American ever to get his neck from under the galling yoke. I cannot, with patience, think of this idea. If ever he violates the laws, one of two things will happen: he will come at the head of his army to carry every thing before him; or he will give bail, or do what Mr. Chief Justice will order him. If he be guilty, will not the recollection of his crimes teach him to make one bold push for the American throne? Will not the immense difference between being master of every thing, and being ignominiously tried and punished, powerfully excite him to make this bold push? But, sir, wlmre is the existing force to pun- ish him? Can he not at the head of his army, heat down every opposition! Away with your president; we shall have a king: the army will salute him monarch; your militia will leave you, and assist in making him king, and fight against you: and what have you to op- pose this force? What will then become of you and your rights? Will not absolute despotism ensue ?^^ [Here Mr. Henry strongly and pathetically expatiated on the prohahility of the presidents enslaving Ammca, and tJie horrid consequences that must i^esult.]

After the frank admission of the reporter, exhibited by the words contained within those brackets, that he had not attempted to follow Mr. Henry in this pathetic excursion, the reader will perceive, that it wQuld be

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