Patrick Henry: “Liberty or Empire?” Speech

( 1788 ) Commentary by John A. Ragosta, University of Virginia

“If we admit this consolidated government, it will be because we like a great, splendid one. Some way or other we must be a great and mighty empire; we must have an army, and a navy, and a number of things. When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; liberty, sir, was then the primary object.” - "Liberty or Empire?" Speech

Patrick Henry (Library of Congress)

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