The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-31
Into Paine Once More.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD -
1t would seem that there Is no historical charac-
ter, however monstrOus and unexceptiona, for
whom posteriiy has not furnished some congenial
spirits to champion his memory and enGeavor to
smooth over his offences. This Is easily accounted
for by the that any aspersiOn upon those wnom
we resemble in tastes and opinions Is apt to affect
us as though 1t were an attack upon ourselves. 1t
must be some such feehng which has led another
correspondent of the HERALD to favor my article on
Tom Paine with reply written IN sucn an agony OF
Indignation might be produced by some grievous
personal affront 10 boil over with passion at the
first word OF argument Is certainly strange way to
prove oneself a philosopher, controlled only by
pure, sublime, unbiased reason. Expressing much
soorn for anonymous writing, this correspondent
signs himself ''MOrrs Al, OF Forty-flth street,"
and even had all the letters been put in, myself and
a very large portion OF mankind could not be ex-
pected to know any more OF the gentleman than il
he had signed himself "Truth ~ or "Jusuce.u Had
Mr. A. remained anonymous, l should have been
Just as well satisfied for 1t Is my design to reply TO
the principles and not the man.
Mr.. "A.n does not believe IN quoting vague and
ambiguous testimony. The name OF the authority
upon which he coniradicts my statements is as fol.
lows: -"History says" Mr.. "A.'s" historic muse
has an especial right 10 give her name and REFER
ences, because she takes 1t upon herself TO natly
contradict ali other authorities.
Mr.. "A.n knows quite well that, in alludng to
Paine's filthy habits, nave no reference TO such
comparative trlne as small talking, nor yet TO
drunkenness, since that vice has become
separately associated with the or the author OF
the cage OF Keason.u that 1t would be entirely
needless to mention II. That PANE haDltually al.
lowed his skin and clothing to remain covered with
fifth and vermin, and when expostuIated with, re-
peatedly declared mat such condition was not I'M
pleasant 10 him. IS one OF the facts testified TO by
q number OF different persons with wn0m he re-
sided at different times. IL cannot be pretended
tnat TINS an eect OF the nnrmities OF age, f0r
all the while Paine was gong about with as much
activity as he ever possessed when not under the
influence OF brandy. Among the witnesses have
alluded TO are Nj. Jarvis, the celebrated poetlcal
painter, William Carver, Mrs. Dean, Mr.. ana Mrs.
Ryder, and others, whose names can De produceu
whenever wanted.
Though 1t Is true that Paine was with the Revolu.
tonary army for about SIX months, never nearu
that he distinguished himself as soldier MI
"A's' expression ABOUT his nero SHINING IN
the forefront Of The hottest battle" Is little orna-
mental flourish and nothing more. But now 1or
something interesting Mr.. "a" co0lly asks us 10
behalf OF our Revolutionary cause ne might nave
made "a colossal lortunev by employing MS pen In
| some other way. The plain truth Is that Paine,
| while he renamed In England never could earn
his salt by writing ana, having failed In business
as grocer ne came to America to seek his Tor
tune. Arriving here as an almost pennesS advell-
turer lie found IL lucky stroke indeed when, at me
suggestion oil Dr. Rush, he wrote his famous KevO-
] luuonary pamphlet "Conmon SENSE" For tina