effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and
hugging the delusive phantom of Hope, until our enemies
shall have bound us hand and foot?

"'Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those
means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of
liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are
invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.

"'Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There
is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations,
and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone: it is to the
vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no
election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too
late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in
submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their
clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is
inevitable. And let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

"'It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may
cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is 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
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!'"

Of this tremendous speech there are in existence two traditional
descriptions, neither of which is inconsistent with the testimony
given by St. George Tucker. He, as a lawyer and a judge, seems to have
retained the impression of that portion of the speech which was the
more argumentative and unimpassioned: the two other reporters seem to
have remembered especially its later and more emotional passages. Our
first traditional description was obtained by Henry Stephens Randall
from a clergyman, who had it from an aged friend, also a clergyman,
who heard the speech itself:--

"Henry rose with an unearthly fire burning in his eye. He
commenced somewhat calmly, but the smothered excitement
began more and more to play upon his