Patrick Henry used the phrase in his last public speech, given in March 1799, in which he denounced The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. Clasping his hands and swaying unsteadily, Henry declaimed, “Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter.
United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.” At the end of his oration, Henry fell into the arms of bystanders and was carried, almost lifeless, into a nearby tavern. Two months afterward, he died.
From United We Stand website
I haven’t figured out much about the website and what they are all about so I am not endorsing it or them. But I did like their thoughts on Patrick Henry’s use of the phrase. Especially in light of the back story of Patrick Henry. We know he was a pretty good speech maker, I mean, Give me liberty or give me death is pretty rousing stuff.
As it turns out, he was not in favor of the US Constitution because he thought it gave too much power to the federal government, a fear that exists till this day. For several years after the Revolutionary War was fought and won, we struggled I think it’s safe to say under what we call the Articles Of Confederation. It actually became our law of the land in 1781 I believe.
But many, including Washington saw it as weak and ineffective to lead us into the future. So they pushed for our current constituion. The main sticking point was power and who would wield it, a federal power that was centralized or states and their already established power bases in each state throughout the colonies.
As it turns out, this fight has continued and led to much controversy including the Civil war and Lincoln’s declaration of martial law. Ongoing fights over states rights as opposed to Federal oversight can be seen in the news media every week if you look for it.
I have felt for some time that most Americans would like to be left alone and the Patrick Henry’s of today would be down at the pub complaining about federal government overreach(back then it was thee kings overreach) and the federal government leaders would be holding meetings in DC arguing about how to get the people in line through the country(back then it was the meddlesome colonists of America).
It’s still about power. Some things never change.
Here are some interesting descriptions of Henry’s Oratory skills.
I don’t like much of what I know about Henry, but the patriot lawyer and tavern host sure could talk up a storm and convince some of the most set in stone types.
We might be missing that part of Henry right about now, someone that can use words to rouse us to courage and commitment and to remember how united we are and can be. It seems Henry literally spoke his heart out. I like his commitment.
