HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Hendersonville-based Revolutionary War re-enactor Don Hendrix presented a program on the ideas of Patrick Henry leading up to his famous speech before the onset of the Revolutionary War during a breakfast meeting of the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club  early March 14 at American Legion Post 77 here.

About 50 people attended, including a contingent of Republicans from neighboring Buncombe County who said they came to observe the successful HCRMC’s meeting format and functioning.

After reciting a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, HCRMC President Bill Fishburne reviewed  the monthly treasurer’s report by Ed Carlisle, noting that the club has 21 paid regular members (men) and 13 paid associate members (women) for a total of 34. The report added that a many regular members still have not paid their $30 in annual dues.

Next, Fishburne rccognized elected officials in attendance, which included state Rep. Jake Johnson, R-Saluda; Henderson County Commissioner Jay Egolf and District Court Judge Abe Hudson, among others.

Fishburne then called on both Rep. Johnson and Henry D. Mitchell, who represented the campaign of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock, who each gave thanks to the GOP faithful for their votes in the March 3 primary, enabling Johnson and Edwards to advance to the general elections on Nov. 3.

Also, Fishburne recognized Greg Beam, chairman of the Henderson County Republican Party, who invited Republicans to attend the upcoming annual county GOP convention.

Specifically, he noted that the Henderson County GOP Convention is scheduled at 10 a.m. March 28 at Apple Valley Middle School, 43 Fruitland Road. The precinct meetings will be held in the cafeteria, followed by the convention in the auditorium. Lunch will be available at $10 (delivered from Chick-fil-A and Honey-Baked Ham), with pre-orders required by visiting online and ordering at www.HCGOPNC.org.

At that point (9:30 a.m.), Fishburne introduced Hendrix who has performed in re-enactment programs for 35 years, to present the meeting’s keynote address.

“I would like to introduce Mr. Patrick Henry!” Fishburne said with a big smile.

Hendrix began his presentation by dedicating his speech “to my son Ryan, an officer who died five years ago.” (Specifically, Henderson County Deputy Ryan Hendrix was killed in the line of duty in 2020.)

Hendrix asserted, “When the first Continental Congress met… they opened up on Sept. 5, presenting credentials, and on Sept. 6, the first argument was: ‘Should we have a preacher open  every session with a prayer?’… So it was chosen” to have a Protestant preacher or a Roman Catholic priest say a prayer to begin each session.

It also was decided that “every state was to receive one vote... Patrick Henry said that ‘if that’s what it’s going to be, that’s OK with me — as long as it’s unified...’”

In 1774, “when a rider came in (to Philadelphia) and said the town of Charles Town (Mass.) was destroyed by the British, Patrick Henry proclaimed: “I am not a Virginian, but an American.” His statement, Hendrix said, represented a pivotal shift toward unified colonial resistance, emphasizing colonial unity over provincial interests. 

Next, Hendrix noted the influence of the Rev. Jacob Duché (1738–1798), an Anglican clergyman in Philadelphia who played a significant role in the early days of the Continental Congress, which Patrick Henry attended in 1774.

Hendrix prompted some chuckles from the program attendees when he quipped, “I may be preaching to the choir today _— but sometimes the choir needs preaching to.” 

He then reviewed the economic philosophy of mercantilism.. “They (Western European countries) practiced the economic golden rule” of mercantilism, which he defined as: “He who has the gold makes the rules!” Hendrix said.

Mercantilism was practiced by England, France and Spain, mainly, along with — to a lesser extent — Italy, the Dutch and others.

In England’s view, Hendrix emphasized, “The purpose of the colonies was to serve the Mother Country. In turn, they (the British) would provide you with protection.... So that’s mercantilism — collect as much gold and silver as possible” from the colonies.

Next, Hendrix addressed the Enlightenment, noting that John Locke of England was “the great philosopher of that time.” He credited Locke with espousing the idea that “government doesn’t grant rights… it protects rights” — a foundational principle of American constitutionalism, rooted in the belief that individuals possess inherent, unalienable rights (such as life, liberty, and property) from a higher source, such as a Creator or natural law, rather than the government. 

These rights pre-exist government, which is instituted solely to protect them, he noted.