TOWARDS A REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE:

[T]he speech can remind today's Americans of three important political virtues, virtues as relevant to Patrick Henry's time as to ours.

First, the speech reminds us of the importance of both civility and candor to a healthy politics. Perhaps surprisingly in view of its impassioned ending, the speech begins by noting the importance of civility. Henry opens his remarks by acknowledging the "patriotism, as well as the abilities" of those who spoke on the other side of the issue. He disclaims any intention to be "disrespectful" to them.

Nevertheless, the speech also points to the need for a candid civility. The stakes in play--freedom or slavery--require each citizen to speak his mind forthrightly. Only on the basis of such open debate, after all, can we "hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility we hold to God and our country." Civility means not seeking to give offense. It does not mean avoiding hard truths because they may offend others.

Second, the speech is an exercise in prudence, and it therefore teaches us something about prudence. According to Aristotle, prudence is the virtue by which we know how to act for the best in the circumstances we face. Thus understood, prudence involves complex political judgments, and it cannot be reduced to a simple formula. We often try to do this, however, and especially to reduce prudence to caution.

Henry, however, suggested that a prudent regard for "experience" taught in this case the need for bold, immediate action. All of the colonists' experience, he argued, showed that further argument with the British would be fruitless. The government of Great Britain was preparing to use force to bring the colonies to heel, and so prudence rejected further delays and called instead for immediate resistance--before the British force in America grew so strong that such resistance would become impossible.

Finally and most obviously, the speech shows forth a spirit of courage. According to Aristotle, courage is the virtue that faces death for a good cause. The speech is a call to arms--not figuratively as the expression "call to arms" is often used, but literally a call to armed resistance against the British. Henry's electrifying final words--"give me liberty or give me death"--remind us that finally a just freedom can be held securely only by those who are willing to risk everything to preserve it.

Follow @brothersjudd