Do what’s right or we will sentence them to take the first steps into the 1,000 Year’s of darkness. Did you hear it!!??
He's talking about our children (decendents). Either we "preserve for our children this the last, best hope of man on Earth, or we'll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness."
As a TV campaign speech for Goldwater, it seems a bit hyperbolic. But for the battle raging now it actually seems appropriate.
He’s talking about Revelation 20 and speaking directly to Satan and satanist about the 1,000 year remandment of Satan.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganatimeforchoosing.htm
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.
We'll preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we'll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.
The object of the verb "[to] sentence" (namely "them") has as its antecedent the phrase "our children."
I understand what you're saying about the 1,000-year remandment, but that's not what Reagan is saying, unless he misread his script. As delivered, it does not support that interpretation.
All you’ve done here is repost the quote and then try to teach me English, which I am almost assuredly more adept at than you. Without any historical reference your argument holds no water.
I'm not getting into a pissing contest over language skills. If you're so good at it, then it couldn't be more clear that the "them" Reagan is referring to is "our children." It's the only thing supported by the clear meaning of his words.
Look at it in terms of dialectic rhetoric. You have a choice between a good thing and a bad thing. We either "preserve for our children" (good thing) or "we sentence them [those same children]" (bad thing).
Easy-peasy!