Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-05-26
PAINE, THE PATRIOT.
A Correspondent Calls Attention to
the Part Played by the Great
Infdel During the
Revolution.

correspondence Oi tie LeuR6Ts
RUSH HILL, Mo-, May 1.-THE ques-
ton and answer concerning Thomas
Paine which appeared in the LEDGER
some weeks ago 80 whetted my Curl
osity that 1 procured the cage OF
Reason" which / have jnst finished
reading, and to which gave much
thought as turned the pages-fre-
quently going back and re-reading.
AS result / find that Paine granted
all men the divine right to think; he
was an Irresistible reasoner; humanity
was his religion; he was the deadly
foe of slavery In every shape and
form; he believed in one God and no
more; he was philosopher and knew
considerable of the sciences; he hated
superstition and attacked it wherever
found; with him all religions were
fallacies; he possessed master mind.
But above all he was an American
patriot at a time when defenders OF
the new Republic, then being born,
were needed. For this honor Paine,
If for nothing else.
If we do not agree with him on ques-
tions theological, let US not a6tack
Paine as man and a patriot. Re-
member, it was he who in this land
first had the temerity to proclaim that
word we all love and cherish-Liberty
No one else at that time dared make
the utterance. 1t was he who said,
"Lay the ak to the roots and teach gov
ernments humanity" (How appH-
cable at this time.) He it was who
taught that man has no property
rights in man. How characteristic oi
chivalrous heart when he said: "Ii
there must be trouble, let it be in my
day, that my child may have peace
In addressing the people of America
Paine used these words: "You will
do me the justice to remember that
have always strenuousiy supported the
right of every man to his own opin'
ion, however different that opinion
might be. to mine. He who denies to
another this right makes a slave oi
himself to his present opinion, because
he precludes himself the right oi
changing it. The most formidable
weapon against error of every kino
is Reason. I have never used any
other"
1t was Paine's clear mind that In
spired the patriots who declared oul
independence from Great Britain anG
put into the constitution of the UniteC
States such veto against ecclesiasti.
Cal domination as has defied the theo'
Gratis to this day.
Turn away from his theological
writings, if you will, and read his po'
litical works-his "Rights of Man.
"Common Sense" "The Crisis" etc
He was an incorruptible patriot, trie<
and true, and an intimate friend ant
counselor of Washington, Jefferson
Franklin and other leading revolution
ary heroes. He carried his musket
by day and used his pen cy the CAM
fire at night in defense of this-our-
country.
American citizens, let as be not to,
harsh with Thomas Paine. He was !,
brave soldier. and II he were with u
at this moment he would be battling
for humanity's sake-for that CRANE
principle we all admire, Freedom
As much as any other man he helpet
us get 1t. Our cause would be his.
have never read any of his theolog
ical writings except the cage o
Reason" but am pretty well acquaint
ed with his political and patrioti,
views.
Earth never had a greater apostl,
OF human liberty than Paine nor {
more mortal enemy to all religions
especially the Christian religion
Spinoza, Rossesu, Strauss, yoltaire
Gibbon, Renan, Bradlaugh, Ingerson
and all the balance of the infidel writ
ers pale into insignificance compares
| with Paine, and but for his religion
views he would have stood foremos
In the history OF this great nation o
Hberty-loving people.
But withai, Paine was an America
patriot whom we should not allow on
| prejudices to lead Us to forget.
l D. e. n.