by Edcer Escudero
Words are powerful tools that make help make history. When spoken and drafty used by men of courage and conviction, men with nobility of purpose and rectitude of conscience, words can inspire, rally and unite people, and shape the destinies of nations.
Let us recall famous words that reverberated around the world, and immortalized the great men who uttered them.
“I shall return!”
The only name that is associated with these worlds is Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American military genius and called “The Liberator of the Philippines.” MacArthur was over-all commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific and military adviser to Pres. Manuel L. Quezon. In 1942, he secretly left the Philippines by submarine for Australia where he mapped out the final grand assault against the Japanese forces and the liberation of the Philippines.
More than a promise, those were words of hope for Filipinos who believed in America’s might and power.
“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty, or Give me death!”
That was the last dramatic sentence in the speech of American patriot Patrick Henry delivered at the revolutionary convention of the state of Virginia in 1775 pursuing approval of his own resolution calling for the organization of local militias to fight against British colonial rule. Here’s the full emotionally charged speech:
“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding drums. Out brothers are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, God Almighty! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty, or give me death!”
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, sweat and tears!”
Those words were spoken by Sir Winston Churchill in his inaugural speech as Prime Minister of England in 1940. World War II in Europe was on, and Great Britain was under threat of an invasion by Germany.
Churchill rallied Britons with these words: “You ask what is our policy? I will say, it is to wage war by sea, by land, and air with all our might. You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory!”
“Ask me not what your country can do for you, rather, ask what you can do for your country.”
Those words are the most remembered part of John Kennedy’s inaugural address delivered on January 20. 1960 after being sworn as America’s first Catholic president. Decades later, politicians often quote this classic Kennedy rhetoric.
“My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.”
The foregoing immortal words are identified with Manuel Quezon, the most dynamic Filipino president. He switched political parties and justified his action with those words, which many politicians today parody when they jump from one party to another party (like grasshoppers).
“Four score and seven years ago . . .”
No need to crack your head. Those words were the opening sentence of Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address delivered during the Civil War in 1863. The complete sentence goes this way . . .” our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
