t the root of it, namely,
at the deep divergence in sympathy and in interest between the two
races. There was but one way in which to do this: it was for the white
race to treat the Indians, consistently, as human beings, and as fast
as possible to identify their interests with our own along the entire
range of personal concerns,--in property, government, society, and,
especially, in domestic life. In short, he proposed to encourage, by a
system of pecuniary bounties, the practice of marriage between members
of the two races, believing that such ties, once formed, would be an
inviolable pledge of mutual friendship, fidelity, and forbearance, and
would gradually lead to the transformation of the Indians into a
civilized and Christian people. His bill for this purpose, elaborately
drawn up, was carried through its second reading and "engrossed for
its final passage," when, by his sudden removal from the floor of the
House to the governor's chair, the measure was deprived of its
all-conquering champion, and, on the third reading, it fell a
sacrifice to the Caucasian rage and scorn of the members.

It is proper to note, also, that during this period of service in the
legislature Patrick Henry marched straight against public opinion, and
jeoparded his popularity, on two or three other subjects. For example,
the mass of the people of Virginia were then so angrily opposed to the
old connection between church and state that they occasionally saw
danger even in projects which in no way involved such a connection.
This was the case with Patrick Henry's necessary and most innocent
measure "for the incorporation of all societies of the Christian
religion which may apply for the same;" likewise, his bill for the
incorporation of the clergy of the Episcopal Church; and, finally, his
more questionable and more offensive resolution for requiring all
citizens of the State to contribute to the expense of supporting some
form of religious worship according to their own preference.

Whether, in these several measures, Patrick Henry was right or wrong,
one thing, at least, is obvious: no politician who could thus beard in
his very den the lion of public opinion can be accurately described as
a demagogue.

With respect to those amazing gifts of speech by which, in the House
of Delegates, he thus repeatedly swept all opposition out of his way,
and made people think as he wished them to do, often in the very
teeth of their own immediate int