The War for our Future

My fellow Americans, no person thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism and the abilities of John Kerry. But different men often see the same subject in different lights. Therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to the Senator and the Democratic Leadership, if I entertain very different opinions of the character, and the issues surrounding this election, which is in direct opposition to theirs. I shall speak freely and I will not be silenced! The question before this great country is one of grave importance. I personally consider the situation facing this nation as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the importance of the issue it must remain open to debate by the people of this great nation. If I were to keep silent on this debate I should turn myself over the authorities for at that moment I would be guilty of high treason.

It is natural for every man to indulge in the illusions of hope. Hope that the President will be able to heal the wounds that he himself has shred open with his words of partisanship in the name of "freedom and justice." It would be easier for us to simply shut our eyes and listen to his words about healing and mending until he turns us into mindless beast of burden feeding the bank accounts of those who stole this election for him. Is this the role that we the American people should accept? Are we those to be disposed, who have eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and mouths but remain silent? For my part I refuse to be deaf to the cries for liberty, I refuse to be blinded, and most importantly, I refuse to be silenced by those who seek to destroy liberty and freedom in this country.

I have but one light by which my feet are guided in the journey through life, and that is the light of experience. I know of no way to judge the future but by examining the past. And by judging the past, I would like to know what there has been in the conduct of the Republican Party, including President Bush, for the last six years to justify the hopes of this nation to solace and mend the wounds of division which they themselves have helped to carve out. Is it by the smirk that President Bush, often flashes that will heal this nation? Trust it not! When the American people petitioned the courts of this nation to a redress of grievances in the last election, the courts of this nation slapped the people in the face and told them to remain silent that this nation did not have the time to listen to their voice. Instead of listening to our petition what did President Bush do? He claims to have a mandate from the American people to sell out our democracy to the highest bidder. He will sell the future of our children for thirty pieces of silver. Are these the acts of an individual who will heal the wounds of this nation? We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable, but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to petition and humble supplication? We have petitioned; we have objected; we have laid ourselves before the halls of justice to overturn the injustices done to the people of this nation. Our petitions have been snubbed; our objections have produced violence and insults against ourselves and those who raise question about the legitimacy of this election; and we have been spurned from the courts with contempt. In vain, after these things, can we indulge the fond hopes of reconciliation! There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free; if we wish to preserve those inestimable privileges for which we have fought so hard to guarantee, we must fight! I repeat it we must fight!

The Republicans would like us to believe that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable of an adversary. But when shall we be stronger, when we are in shackles, when our numbers have been so reduced that we are no longer able to muster an army of ideals on the battlefield for this hearts and minds of this country. Shall we gather the strength needed for this war by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effective resistance by lying idly on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom hope, until our enemies have bound us hand and foot? My fellow democrats, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which nature has placed in our power. With millions of people, armed with the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as which we live in, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, my friends, we shall not fight our battles alone we have the knowledge that justice, liberty, and the ideal of freedom are on our side. The battle, is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant, the active, and the brave. Besides, my friends, we have had no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now to late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but into submission into slavery! Our chains have been forged! Their clanking can be heard from the halls of power in Washington DC. The war of ideals is coming. I say let it come!

It is in vain, my friends, to extend the matter. People may cry, Peace, Peace but there shall be no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the south will bring to our ears the clash of resounding ideals contrary to the very foundations of our great democracy. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? GOD FORBID IT! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!