There is a tide in the affairs of men, a nick of
time. We perceive it now before us. To hesitate
is to consent to our own slavery.
That noble instrument upon your table,
that insures immortality to its author, should
be subscribed this very morning by every pen
in this house. He that will not respond to its
accents, and strain every nerve to carry into
effect its provisions, is unworthy of the name
of free man.
For my own part, of property, I have some;
of reputation, more. That reputation is
staked, that property is pledged on the issue
of this contest; and although these grey hairs
must soon descend into the sepulcher, I
would infinitely rather that they descend
thither by the hand of the executioner than
desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my
country.
