In the interest of civil discourse, amenable conversation and cordial debate may I present Patrick Henry on the issue of liberty:
“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. … The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
— Patrick Henry, in a speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778.
John Burton
Cornwall