It's no exaggeration to say that the subject of Henry's speech was a matter of life-and-death importance: the question of whether to submit to the British or to give up all attempts at diplomacy and take up arms against them. To appreciate Henry's speech, it's important to keep in mind his purpose: to persuade legislators—some of them still loyal to the British Crown—that war against England was the only real option. The questions below will help you apply the reading strategies that you learned in earlier courses to understand Henry's argument. Try to answer the questions as you read the speech.
Read the first two paragraphs of Henry's speech. What is Henry's implied opinion of those who still have hope for reconciliation with the British?
- They are wise and truthful.
- They are blinded by illusion.
- They are committing treason.
- They are no better than beasts.
Henry's point is that hope for reconciliation with the British is an illusion. It blinds people to the truth of the situation and causes them to behave foolishly.
Henry's point is that hope for reconciliation with the British is an illusion. It blinds people to the truth of the situation and causes them to behave foolishly.
Henry's point is that hope for reconciliation with the British is an illusion. It blinds people to the truth of the situation and causes them to behave foolishly.
Henry's point is that hope for reconciliation with the British is an illusion. It blinds people to the truth of the situation and causes them to behave foolishly.
Henry asks a series of rhetorical questions about the past and current behavior of the British government toward the colonies. What does he think this behavior says about England's real motives and intentions?
- The British can be trusted because they have begun to respond respectfully to the colonists' petitions.
- The British are gathering military forces in the area to attack a different enemy than the colonies.
- The British are making a show of military force, but they still intend to compromise with the colonists.
- The British have no intention of compromising and are preparing to control the colonies by force.
Henry's point is that the British cannot be trusted to treat the colonies fairly: They pretend to be gracious while making "war-like preparations" to control the colonies at gunpoint.
Henry's point is that the British cannot be trusted to treat the colonies fairly: They pretend to be gracious while making "war-like preparations" to control the colonies at gunpoint.
Henry's point is that the British cannot be trusted to treat the colonies fairly: They pretend to be gracious while making "war-like preparations" to control the colonies at gunpoint.
Henry's point is that the British cannot be trusted to treat the colonies fairly: They pretend to be gracious while making "war-like preparations" to control the colonies at gunpoint.
Henry asks the rhetorical question "What have we to oppose to [British military force]"? Why does he say that "argument" is a pointless response to British aggression?
- The British are much cleverer at argument than the colonists.
- The British know that the colonists are unwilling to compromise.
- The colonists have tried every possible argument already.
- The colonists should respond with a show of force before they try to argue.
Henry points out that the colonists have been arguing with the British for ten years with no results.
Henry points out that the colonists have been arguing with the British for ten years with no results.
Henry points out that the colonists have been arguing with the British for ten years with no results.
Henry points out that the colonists have been arguing with the British for ten years with no results.
How does Henry say the British have responded to the colonists' pleas for fairness and compromise so far?
- with tolerance and respect
- with contempt and violence
- with supplication and entreaty
- with laughter and mockery
Henry says that the British have "spurned, with contempt" every petition and plea from the colonists.
Henry says that the British have "spurned, with contempt" every petition and plea from the colonists.
Henry says that the British have "spurned, with contempt" every petition and plea from the colonists.
Henry says that the British have "spurned, with contempt" every petition and plea from the colonists.
In the next paragraph, Henry responds to the argument that the colonists are too weak militarily to win a fight with the British. What is Henry's first counter-argument to that claim?
- The colonists can enlist help against the British from various allies.
- The colonists are superior fighters to the British soldiers.
- The colonists actually have greater military power than the British.
- The colonists are as strong as they're ever going to be.
Henry points out that the colonists' odds will not improve by waiting for the British to gain more control over their lives.
Henry points out that the colonists' odds will not improve by waiting for the British to gain more control over their lives.
Henry points out that the colonists' odds will not improve by waiting for the British to gain more control over their lives.
Henry points out that the colonists' odds will not improve by waiting for the British to gain more control over their lives.
What qualities besides strength does Henry say will help the colonists in their fight?
- cleverness and perseverance
- submission and tolerance
- humility, respect, and patience
- alertness, action, and bravery
Henry says that the battle "is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
Henry says that the battle "is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
Henry says that the battle "is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
Henry says that the battle "is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
What is the final point that Henry makes in support of taking up arms?
- They cannot avoid a war because they are already in it.
- They must take up arms to protect the weak.
- Peace and freedom must be achieved at any price.
- Life is too dear to waste on waiting and hoping.
Henry's final point is that the war has already begun and their fellow colonists elsewhere have already taken up arms. The only options are to fight or to submit to oppression.
Henry's final point is that the war has already begun and their fellow colonists elsewhere have already taken up arms. The only options are to fight or to submit to oppression.
Henry's final point is that the war has already begun and their fellow colonists elsewhere have already taken up arms. The only options are to fight or to submit to oppression.
Henry's final point is that the war has already begun and their fellow colonists elsewhere have already taken up arms. The only options are to fight or to submit to oppression.
Summary
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Questions answered incorrectly:
Speech to the Virginia Convention
MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. 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; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of 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!
