The thing he proposes to buy, is what cannot be sold—LIBERTY! For it, he has nothing to give: every thing of value which you possess, you obtained under a free constitution; part with it, and you must be not only a slave but an idiot.

Henry Grattan
Irish politician in Irish and UK parliaments (1746-1820)
8 pieces
- Lived
- 1746–1820
- Born
- Dublin
- Died
- Portman Square
- Nationality
- Kingdom of Ireland
- Known as
- politician, writer
- Era
- 19th century
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Works (8)
galled the country with its tyranny, insulted her by its manners, exhausted her by its rapacity, and slandered her by its malice.
But, that these measures, this general plan of conduct should be pursued by Ireland, with a fixed, steady, and unalterable resolution, to stand or fall with Great Britain. Whenever Great Britain, therefore, should be clearly involved in …
Sir, this bill I pronounce to be an anti-whig and anti-constitutional measure, and the boldest step that ever yet was made to introduce a military government.
We have a monarchy, the best form of government for rational and durable liberty.
I sit down re-asserting my sentiments, which are, that the removal of all disabilities is necessary to make the Catholic a freeman, and the Protestant a people.
We could not mean, by that vote, that the present pension list was no grievance, for there was no man in debate hardy enough to make such an assertion; no man considers what that pension list is; it is the prodigality, jobbing, …
Yet while I think retrenchment absolutely necessary, I am not very sure that this is just the time to make it in the army,—now when England has acted justly, I will not say generously,—now when she has lost her empire—when she still feels …