The written word had great impact on the nation s founding. Tom Paine, the pamphleteer, put words on paper which fired men s souls. Washington, Franklin, and others exchanged letters to keep themselves informed about their common interests. When the idea of a Constitution had to be sold to the public, Madison, Hamilton, and Jay wrote the Federalist papers to explain it. Editorials in the press and magazines have crystalized opinion ever since.
Words carry messages.
Words preserve democracy. As was said of Churchill, he marshalled the English language and marched it into battle. Limited reproduction with permission.