The time is now near at hand which must probably determine…
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The nation faces a pivotal choice between freedom and oppression; collective courage will decide its destiny.
In simple terms: Freedom vs. slavery choice depends on collective courage.
Choose courage over submission.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military leadership
- political decision-making
- civil rights movements
- revolutionary periods
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does courage look like in your community today?
- How can societies resist oppression without violence?
Overreliance on force may ignore diplomatic solutions.