Patrick Henry Quotes
...the people have a right to keep and bear arms. -- Patrick Henry and George Mason, Elliot, Debates at 185.
Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands? -- 3 J. Elliot, Debates in the Several State Conventions 45, 2d ed. Philadelphia, 1836
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun. -- 3 Elliot, Debates at 386.
O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone... Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation... inflicted by those who had no power at all? -- Elliot p. 3:50-53, in Virginia Ratifying Convention
Power is the great evil with which we are contending. We have divided power between three branches of government and erected checks and balances to prevent abuse of power. However, where is the check on the power of the judiciary? If we fail to check the power of the judiciary, I predict that we will eventually live under judicial tyranny.
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death. -- To the Virginia Legislature at St. Johns Church in Richmond Virginia, 1775
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. -- During Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788)
Have we the means of resisting disciplined armies, when our only defense, the militia, is put in the hands of Congress? Of what service would militia be to you when, most probably, you will not have a single musket in the state? For, as arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not provide them. -- 3 Elliot Debates at 48
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