By Nicholas Horton
Speech by Nicholas Horton at a “TEA Party Rally”
Delivered on the steps of the State Capitol, Little Rock, Arkansas, 4 September 2009
In 1773, a group of patriots disguised themselves as Indians and dumped crates of British tea into the Boston harbor, marking this nation’s very first TEA Party. “Taxation without representation,” was their cry. And that is the mantle that we carry here today – it is the same struggle.
The original tea party organizers were not opposed to ALL taxes—but they were tired of giving their hard earned money to an unresponsive, irresponsible government! They were angry, and they had a right to be. They risked their lives and the lives of their families on that day. They risked their honor and their livelihood for what they KNEW was right.
Here we are today, September 4, 2009. Two hundred and thirty-six years later. We are gathered here because we are fed up! We live in the freest, greatest, strongest nation in the history of the world, and yet we are losing our liberties. The enemy is no longer the British government, but a government that was designed to be OURS—a government “of the people, by the people, and FOR the people.” Is that the government you know? Is that the government we have? Of course not. It is a government of waste, of corruption, and of THEFT! “Taxation without representation” was the banner of our founders and it is the banner we are now charged with. Through this Tea Party, and the others across America, we are continuing their fight.
“Give me liberty or give me death!” said Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson said, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Today, my friends, we most certainly face tyranny. We face a tyrannical threat from within our own borders, as the national government extends their power through heavy taxation, controlled education, and the commandeering of private industries. The government instituted to protect our freedoms now infringes upon them more than ever, and our liberties, in addition to our finances, have been taxed enough already!
John Adams proclaimed in 1756, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge; I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers.” And yet, we have unelected, unaccountable, secretive government czars that advocate compulsory abortion; the criminalization of hunting; and a State Department lawyer who advocates the use of Sharia and international law in America!
It is time to stop the socialistic thinking behind excessive government spending and nationalized health care. It is time that we heed the warning of Thomas Jefferson, given two hundred years ago. “A constitution of government once changed from freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
Jefferson further counseled, “Liberty at all hazards must be supported,” and, “We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.” Jefferson and other revered men laid America’s groundwork with equality, freedom and justice. And because a country’s formation could never reach completion during a lifetime, they left us with only the foundation. Two hundred years later, America continues to be shaped by her people, and it is our duty to preserve the solid principles upon which our country was established.
You see, the first Tea Party was the just the beginning for the patriots in 1773. And I daresay not a one of them would stand before you and tell you the fight for liberty and freedom was an easy fight, but thank God they fought: Britain was a formidable opponent and they put up quite a fight. Thousands of American patriots gave their lives so that you and I could gather on these very steps today. Story after story, memoir after memoir reveals the determination of these brave men and women. They would not turn back, they would not falter. And they would fight the same fight all over again. Because they weren’t really fighting for money; they weren’t really fighting for land; they were fighting for freedom. For their sacrifices we are eternally indebted—indebted to continue this great fight. Their sacrifices have levied a charge, a duty to defend, protect, and preserve our rights as enumerated in the Constitution. This is our sovereign duty and purpose.
My friends, a year ago we were promised “change” and the American people voted for it. America was deceived. Yes, we got change alright, and I will be the first to say, we need change! But this is not the kind of change we need! We do not need a change that takes away our liberties and freedoms. Not a change where the government slowly takes over our private economy. And NOT a change where the President indoctrinates our students through school addresses!
We need change that gets us back to our founding principles; change that restores our liberties and our rights; change that puts us back on the path of economic prosperity. This is our cause; this is our duty—to restore America’s greatness!
During difficult times, we often reflect on the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. But while we look back for inspiration, let us keep a forward focus and ask God, our true Founding Father, to guide and direct us. Thank you for joining me and so many others in this fight. Alone, we are nothing. But together, we will be victorious.
Thank you! God bless America!
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