Saturday, April 16, 2011

Wanted, Stand Up Patriotic Americans

Wanted, Stand Up Patriotic Americans

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 - Jim O'Neill  Friday, April 15, 2011 
 
“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 (1736-1799)
A reader sent me the following poem by Josiah Holland.  I had never seen it before, and found it to be very apropos for our troubled times.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Mr. Holland penned his lines long before women had the right to vote in America, let alone the introduction of gender-neutral English. 
Please take that into account, and know that what he wrote applies every bit as much to women as to men. 


We have a need for patriotic people of integrity, strength, and honor, both men and women, to step up to the plate at the present time. 
Your country needs you, now.

GOD, GIVE US MEN!

God, give us men! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can not buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.  


Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) from “Wanted” written in 1872
Laus Deo.

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