Quote

....I am sure that the dangers of this system (the Federal Constitution) are real, when those who have no similar interest with the people of this country (the South) are to legislate for us - when our dearest rights are to be left, in the hands of those, whose advantage it will be to infringe them.

Patrick Henry

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Patrick Henry
Age: 63 †
Born: 1736
Born: May 29
Died: 1799
Died: June 6
Governor Of Virginia
Lawyer
Politician
Slaveholder
Hanover County
Virginia
Henry
Interest
South
Left
Constitution
Hands
Advantage
Infringe
Country
Whose
Legislate
Real
Danger
Dearest
People
System
Dangers
Rights
Federal
Sure
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I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
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The whole economy of this lower world proves that it is by labor and perseverance only that good is obtained and evil is avoided.
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Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
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The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery
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This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.
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. . . Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed . . . so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger.
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Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! – but there is no peace.
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Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.
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We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
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I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.
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The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
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Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third — ['Treason!' cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
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My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against tyrants.
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There is a Book worth all other books which were ever printed.
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Human nature will never part with power. Look for an example of a voluntary relinquishment of power from one end of the globe to another - you will find none.
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[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.
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Away with your president! We shall have a king... the army will salute him as monarch your militia will leave you and assist in making him king and fight against you. And what have you to oppose this force? What will then become of you and your rights?
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It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains.
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The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
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The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
Patrick Henry