Patrick Henry

Implied vs Expressly Reserved: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speeches 5-7

by Michael Boldin | Dec 19, 2022 | Audio/Video, Constitution, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry, State Ratifying Conventions

In a series of speeches during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry warned that despite arguments to the contrary, the federal government wouldn’t act like its powers were only those delegated to it. Instead, it would act like all others before it –...

Forgotten Foundation: Patrick Henry and the Parson’s Cause

by Michael Boldin | Dec 2, 2022 | American Revolution, Audio/Video, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry

At just 27 years of age in 1763, Patrick Henry gained fame as a patriot for arguing that when even a king interfered with local lawmaking, he “degenerates into a Tyrant, and forfeits all right to his subjects’ obedience.” This set the stage for future opposition to...

Imaginary vs Real Dangers: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 4

by Michael Boldin | Jul 22, 2022 | Antifederalists, Audio/Video, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry, State Ratifying Conventions

In his 4th speech during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry made the case that the constitution was being sold as a response to dangers that didn’t truly exist – but instead created an even greater one, consolidation. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday...

Don’t Give in to Fear: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 3

by Michael Boldin | Jul 6, 2022 | Antifederalists, Audio/Video, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry, State Ratifying Conventions

Responding to Federalist claims that rejecting ratification would lead to danger, chaos and potential ruin, Patrick Henry took the other side, “it is the fortune of a free people not to be intimidated by imaginary dangers” and urged the addition of a bill of rights...

Liberty or Empire: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 2

by Michael Boldin | May 4, 2022 | Antifederalists, Audio/Video, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry

Centralization of power, standing armies, an elected king – would lead to a mighty empire, rather than a land of liberty. That’s what Patrick Henry warned about in his 2nd speech during the Virginia Ratifying Convention – June 5, 1788. Path to Liberty: May...

We the People or We the States: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 1

by Michael Boldin | Apr 29, 2022 | Antifederalists, Audio/Video, Path to Liberty, Patrick Henry, State Ratifying Conventions

In his first speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry challenged the legitimacy of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, warned against consolidation, and argued that a federal system should start with We the States. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday...

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