Compass Points - Patrick Henry 250th
Speak Forth Freely and Without Reserve
Compass Points - Patrick Henry 250th
Speak Forth Freely and Without Reserve
March 24, 2025
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Last week the White House issued a proclamation anticipating the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech, “Give Me Liberty.”
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Our Nation proudly commemorates the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s address to the Second Virginia Convention — a seminal moment in our great American story and a fateful turning point in America’s epic struggle for Independence.
. . . At a moment when America’s fate hung in the balance, Henry’s words sparked daring action in the souls of patriots, fortified the cause of freedom, and set America on the path to ultimate triumph over forces of tyranny and oppression. By a narrow margin, the Second Virginia Convention passed the resolution to form a militia — the first critical step to Independence.
“It is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry,” Thomas Jefferson later wrote. “He was before us all in maintaining the spirit of the Revolution.”
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s Independence on July 4, 2026, we look to Patrick Henry, a son of the frontier, the first and sixth Governor of Virginia, an unflinching advocate for American Independence, and a true man of his moment. Today, we invoke his courage, we honor his legacy, and we fearlessly summon the spirit of 1776 to build a future that we will be proud to impart on our children.
— Patrick Henry Proclamation 2025
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As a nation, the United States, in historic moments, has been blessed with great speeches and great words:
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With malice toward none, with charity toward all.
-- A. Lincoln
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That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.
-- A. Lincoln
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I have a dream.
- M. L. King
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Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
-- J.F. Kennedy
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On March 23, 1775, a young Virginia lawyer stood up in St John's church in Richmond and addressed the Virginia House of Burgess. Patrick Henry ended his speech with his famous, fiery words,
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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!
— Patrick Henry
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While the very end of his speech is what is most remembered today, the way Patrick Henry began his speech is just as remarkable. He knew when he stood up that many of the men there disagreed with him. He did not start his speech by yelling at them or insulting them. Instead, he began quietly, calmly, and with respect for all.
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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 that 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.
— Patrick Henry
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The goal of Compass Points is to gather together the entire Marine Corps community in an Internet version of St. John's church and discuss the future of the Corps. The entire Marine Corps community is united in agreement that the Marine Corps must be strong today and stronger tomorrow. True, there are some serious disagreements. These disagreements, however, are not about persons or personalities. These are substantive differences about the best way forward. Let discussion, debate, and discourse flourish. Let us be respectful of our differences -- and each other -- but let us all take Patrick Henry’s example to heart, and speak forth freely and without reserve.
"These disagreements, however, are not about persons or personalities. These are substantive differences about the best way forward. Let discussion, debate, and discourse flourish. Let us be respectful of our differences -- and each other ....."
Hear! Hear! So very well said.
Free men are free to speak their minds, openly and respectfully. In the military we could, with the best superiors, provide input and suggestions up to the point of decision. With the less confident and capable superiors orders were issued and any discussion was not tolerated. I personally tried to develop the confidence of subordinates in peacetime and routine circumstances so they would follow orders because trust had been developed before were in extreme circumstances and time might not allow for discussion.
FD-2030 was incubated and hatched in secrecy which undermined trust and virtually every leadership principle. It was then furthered through intimidation, threats, reliefs or marginalization. This broke the trust so fundamental to any organization let alone an elite war fighting formation. As a retired stakeholder and father of two sons who served in the Marine Corps I took this as a personal affront but was willing to discuss the issue without rancor or toxicity as expected of an officer and a gentlemen. It soon became apparent that this would not be a discussion of that sort. It became a bar room brawl as I and others like me were insulted and thrown into the trash cans of a back alley. From there it became a knife fight in the dimly lit back street. It became a fight for the life and death of the Corps and the implications that would have on national defense and by extension, national prosperity. Empires do fail for the lack of a nail.
The die have been cast and I now hold my breath and say my prayers because I believe the reversal must commence this year or as they say: “ Point, Set, Match.”
If the forces aligned cannot save this Corps the future could be a ceremonial formation servicing the needs of the political establishment.
“What once was will never been again. But if the decline was radiant, the glow will long remain”. I do not remember the author of this quote. I hope it is not germane.