If I permitted these men to deprive me of my arms, you might well die of shame." "What is it?
Only a gun, or a pistol, that you never use ?" "Great God, Maria! It is everything! It is honor! It is liberty! It is respect to myself! It is loyalty to my country! It is fidelity to my countrymen! It is true that for many years the garrison has fully protected us, and I have not needed to use the arms in my house.

But thousands of husbands and fathers need them hourly, to procure food for their children and wives, and to protect them from the savages.

One tie binds us.

Their cause is my cause.

Their country is my country, and their God is my God.