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Point of View ::
On a cold March day in 1775, a small group of men representing citizens across Virginia filed into St. John’s Episcopal Church. Packed in the pews of the church - the only venue in the area large enough to accommodate the crowd - were farmers, lawyers, shopkeepers, and businessmen.
The town was Richmond, which had a population of approximately 600 people. Those that met there knew they were in direct defiance of a recent order from the Governor of Virginia to disband. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Peyton Randolph and approximately 120 other members of the Second Virginia Convention were present.
They assembled to consider weighty matters concerning the tyranny and oppression of the colonies. Many favored continued conciliatory measures to the Crown. They wanted to wait in hopes that peace could be birthed at a price cheaper than war. Others argued the necessity of bringing Virginia into a state of readiness to oppose King George III. They knew war was inevitable and that only timing was in question. The arguments on both sides were well reasoned and passionate.
A thirty-nine year old planter and lawyer from Hanover County named Patrick Henry took a seat in the third pew. Well-known to amplify his ideas to the point of treason, Patrick Henry rose that day to urge his fellow Virginians to arm if they wanted to defend their freedom. He began his delivery in a low, calm, and reasoned tone. But as he spoke, he became enflamed with passion and his closing appeal rang out across the cold stone of the church:
“Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. 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 here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”
And with these powerful words, our history books usually conclude this passage, never mentioning two key points.
What history often fails to mention is that even after a speech by Virginia’s greatest orator, Patrick Henry’s measure almost failed. These individuals did not want to pay the price freedom might extract.
Patrick Henry’s dramatic words were received in initial silence. And while others slowly seconded his resolution, in the end, it was only a narrow margin – five votes, according to some accounts – by which the delegates voted to begin military preparations to join Massachusetts in the forefront of Revolutionary activity and to choose freedom over tyranny.
However, what was equally notable is the fact that in July of that year, the Third Virginia Convention would meet again at St. John's Church to organize the troops and the states war effort. And here a truly magnificent thing happened. With fighting having broken out at Lexington and Concord, those individuals who had so passionately and articulately dissented with Patrick Henry would acknowledge the debt owed to Patrick Henry for his wisdom and foresight to develop a militia. Instead of fighting against him they joined hands to build a nation of freedom.
In the wake of our recent national election, the lesson two hundred years later is surprisingly simple. The paths we collectively choose as a nation are not mandates despite history’s tendency to simplify them as such. In fact, the more difficult the paths are to discern, the more relevant our democratic process is.
What makes America great is that we are a society in which the full play of differing ideas can take place. And, as a nation we are further resolved today that only in allowing full freedom to differ can democracy thrive. Indeed, the concepts and visions we hold for our nation may truly be much greater than we can imagine for we are still simple beings: still united by a love of country, still devoted to our traditions and cultures, and still determined to ensure the best for our families and our communities.
The pages of our history books continue to be a testament to the fact that Americans have a remarkable way of overcoming their differences and embracing our commonalities to make this nation stronger and better for future generations. And while most of us have not experienced the bonds that enslaved Patrick Henry when he said, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” we should all understand the importance of joining hands after our national debates and moving forward united in our eternal quest to keep freedom alive.
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