Of many adjectives that can be used to describe Indiana’s AG, Todd Rokita, none is good. His FB post of 7/1 blends ignorance of American history and racism in classic Rokita fashion and was in advance of the July 4th holiday. In relevant part that post stated: 1/13

“You are probably familiar with Patrick Henry’s famous words: ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’ ... [A] passionate Virginia leader, his oratory helped spark the fight for American independence [and he] authorized George Rogers Clark’s bold expedition .. [that] 2/13

captured the British fort at Vincennes and renamed it Fort Patrick Henry in honor of the governor who supported the mission” highlights “the enduring fight for liberty that shaped every corner of our nation.” There are several problems with the post. 3/13

1) No contemporaneous evidence records Henry having said “Give me liberty or give me death.” A speech occurred on 3/23/1775. [FN1] In 1805, William Wirt researched Henry’s life. Wirt was not present for the speech, but relied upon people who had been present. 4/13

Only one “tried to render an actual text,” but even that account was based on “‘recollections,’ not recorded notes.” [FN2]
2) One account of the speech was contemporaneous. On 4/6/1775, James Parker, in a letter to Charles Stewart, noted Henry’s insults of King George III. [FN3] 5/13

3) The truth should not be ignored. Henry noted slavery as evil, but argued at VA’s ratification convention: “We ought to possess them in the manner we inherited them from our ancestors, as their manumission is incompatible with the felicity of our country.” [FN4] 6/13

4) Only by knowing the truth of our Nation’s founding can we address evil today.
Henry noted: “Would any man believe that I am master of slaves of my own purchase? I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living without them. I will not ...” [FN5] 7/13

5) The Nation’s birth should not be white-washed. Rokita’s reference to “the enduring fight for liberty that shaped every corner of our nation” is offensive. No one can dispute “liberty” is antithetical to slavery, which the Constitution protected. [FN6] Then there’s 8/13

the Declaration, which noted King George III “has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rules of Warfare is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.” We should celebrate... 9/13

Until 1/20/1981, this country had made great strides toward being great. We need to understand how people can carry out such mass oppression and slaughter. One context is the founding of the United States. Another context is Germany, 1933-1945. Happy 4th! 10/13

Footnotes:
FN1. See Ray Raphael, “Founding Myths,” (2004), pp. 145-56.
FN2. Id., pp. 148-49.
FN3. Id., p. 150. 11/13

FN4. 3 Elliott’s Debates p. 591.
FN5. John Hancock, “Essays on the Elective Franchise; or, Who Has the Right to Vote,” (1865), pp. 31-32. 12/13

FN6. E.g., “three fifths of all other persons” to count for seats in the House. (Art. I, § 2) Congress not allowed to prohibit “Importation of such Persons” prior to the Year 1808. (Art. I, §9). 13/13