Ten years and more before the Declaration of Independence there was
great excitement in the Colonies over the new Stamp Act. Patrick Henry,
a young member of the General Assembly of Virginia, had the temerity to
offer a resolution which declared that in the General Assembly lay the
sole right and power to lay taxes upon the Colony. An excited debate
followed this resolution, in the course of which Patrick Henry arose
and addressed the assembly. His speech closed with the words which have
made him famous: _Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell,
and George the Third_--The hall rang with cries of _Treason! Treason!_
The patriot orator paused for an impressive moment, and then continued
calmly;--_may profit by their example. If this be treason make the most
of it!_
(His resolution was carried.)
A decade passed before the actual outbreak of the War in New England
inspired Patrick Henry to the oration which concluded thus: _It is
in vain, Sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace,
peace--but there is no peace. The war has actually begun! The next
gale that sweeps from the North 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 or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course
others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!_