The  pleas  of  the  other  boys
and  girls,  however,  who  always


liked  to  hear  Jack  "orate,"  and
the  good  nature  of  the  interested
sexton,  led  Uncle  Tom  to  compromise  on  the  closing  paragraph  of  the
oration,  which  Jack  rendered  with  appreciation  and  effect,  standing  in  the
precise  spot  from  which  those  wonderful  words  were  uttered  by  Patrick
Henry  a  hundred  and  twenty  years  and  more  ago:

"  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  !  '

"  That  was  a  great  speech,  was  n't  it,  though  !  '  Roger  remarked,  as,
leaving  the  church,  they  stood  in  the  shade  of  one  of  the  spreading  trees,
trying  to  decipher  the  inscription  on  an  ancient  stone.  "  I  don't  wonder  it
has  never  been  forgotten."

"  It  was   never  forgotten   by  those  who  heard   it,   friend  or   foe,"    Uncle


THE   OLD    CHURCH    OF   ST.    JOHN,   RICHMOND.
tf
K
3
•5

3


1   £
i   c


Q


D.
