2008 Woodie Awards
Letter: Patrick Henry fought for liberty, not for empire
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Opinion
Editor,
It was 231 years ago today that Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Most Americans know him as a passionate defender of liberty, but did you know he was anti-empire? The title of his speech, "Should Empire or Liberty Be Sought?" gives you a clue.
"When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object," Henry said in 1788.
No doubt neo-conservatives are no fan of this American patriot. In fact, they must hate George Washington, too. Why? All the founding fathers were noninterventionists - as every true American conservative knows, as empires grow abroad, liberties at home shrink.
Henry spoke those words for all to hear. To the British, he was a traitor, but he was no coward. Today people submit letters to the editor and insult others while hiding behind fake names or unlisted phone numbers. When I found the person who called me a pacifist liberal, I called him out. He declined. Cowards insult when they are safe.
"Fear is the passion of slaves," Henry said. Many Americans are ruled by fear - fear of foreign boogeymen, fear of criminals and fear of punishment by the state. The answers to such fears are not found in the hands of government. Just the opposite - it is government that is the threat to liberty.
What would Patrick Henry conclude about Americans today?
Gregg Ozimek
TVI staff
It was 231 years ago today that Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Most Americans know him as a passionate defender of liberty, but did you know he was anti-empire? The title of his speech, "Should Empire or Liberty Be Sought?" gives you a clue.
"When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object," Henry said in 1788.
No doubt neo-conservatives are no fan of this American patriot. In fact, they must hate George Washington, too. Why? All the founding fathers were noninterventionists - as every true American conservative knows, as empires grow abroad, liberties at home shrink.
Henry spoke those words for all to hear. To the British, he was a traitor, but he was no coward. Today people submit letters to the editor and insult others while hiding behind fake names or unlisted phone numbers. When I found the person who called me a pacifist liberal, I called him out. He declined. Cowards insult when they are safe.
"Fear is the passion of slaves," Henry said. Many Americans are ruled by fear - fear of foreign boogeymen, fear of criminals and fear of punishment by the state. The answers to such fears are not found in the hands of government. Just the opposite - it is government that is the threat to liberty.
What would Patrick Henry conclude about Americans today?
Gregg Ozimek
TVI staff
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