Patrick Henry on Democracy & Individual Rights

Patrick Henry did not support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

The reason was simple; the document did not protect the citizen and gave too much power to centralized government.

The following excerpt is from his speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention held on June 5, 1788, whereby Founding Father, Patrick Henry, speaks of democracy:

"What, sir, is the genius of democracy? Let me read that clause of the bill of rights of Virginia which relates to this: 3d clause: — that government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community. Of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the danger of mal-administration; and that whenever any government shall be found inadequate, or contrary to those purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.

"This, sir, is the language of democracy — that a majority of the community have a right to alter government when found to be oppressive. But how different is the genius of your new Constitution from this! How different from the sentiments of freemen, that a contemptible minority can prevent the good of the majority!" (He was speaking of the language regarding amendments whereby, in reality, ten or twenty percent of the population could effectively stop any amendement to the Constitution. Thus "We the people..." would have become very meaningless without protection of the rights espoused in the Declaration of Independence.)

While Patrick Henry failed to convince the Virginia convention to defeat ratification, his pursuit of individual liberty was relentless and led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

We need people such as Patrick Henry in government today fighting for Main Street USA. For true democracy. For smaller, less controlling government. For speaking up, against any odds, for the rights of each individual American.

Over For Now.

Main Street One