New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
THOMAS PAINE AGAIN.
PRAISES OF THE FREETHINK-
ING PUBLICIST
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In The Tribune OF the day before yester-
day your correspondent More Light" very conii-
IDENTIFY asserts that Thomas Paine was "a cOnspic-
example of Observation-Disclosures to the
head and to the heart" and much more to the
effect, and then indirectly challenges your
readers to disprove his assertion If they can. In
attempting do this l shall dismiss at once
with the Scotch verdict mot proven all the stories
told of Paine by his avowed enemies Oldys and
Cheetham merely promising that. whether true or
not they at least very much Of piece with
undisputed facts. But surely may in all fairness
appeal his apoloGlst. Moncure Conway, publ
cist of little reputation, who brought TO the task
Of writing Paine's life love. he tells us both
for the work and for the man. If More Light
will take the trouble to read that gentleman's at
tempt to represent Tom Paine compound Of
Socrates and King Arthur, Christian and Brit
ish lion with an American heart" and has the
power Of Weighing facts for himself without blind
ly accepting Mr.. Conway's comments on them he
Will probably regret his challenge
With respect TO Paine's Ill treatment of his Sec
ond wife we have distinct declaration from his
mother reprinted in footnote from Chalmers's 5
Life" Mr. Conway suggests that this letter
garbled: but 1t printed in Paine's lifetime. and
he does not seem 10 have contradlcted It's state
ments He was dismissed from his post as an OK
ciseman for making false entries in his returns.
and T fail that his fa!sehood is extenuated
by the fact that he had lately bought pair Of
globes and scientific books. Three years later
he was on his humble petition. resb bred to his
office and was dismissed second time for being
absent from duty without leave. having decamped
on account Of his debts. Nor does the part which
he played in a movement among his fellow excise
men for higher appear TO have been an
altogether faithful one. for his mothers letter
tells US that no accused of approprating the
money subscribed for tho purposes OF the agita-
tion.
After his second dismissal he came to this coun-
try and in course OF time. acknowledg-
ment OF the services which he undoubtedly rem
dered to 1t. he appointed secretary to the
Committee Of Foreign Affairs. While occupying
this position he published an official secret and
was in consequence forced resign his office
After having been in some straits he at last
ceved a substantial reward for his pamphlets. OBJ
tained for him chiefly by the eXertions of Wash
ington who warmly acknowledged the effects pro
duced by his writings. With something which
hardly looks like "faithfulness he afterward made
u scandalous attack on his former behettctoT
Who after this will he surprised to hear that
money TO further French invasion OF his native
land? After many ups ana downs In England and
France ne returned TO this country and was here
dlsowned and stunned by all his former friends
LIS aIt yfafT Mr. FGonwSy Constantly refers to- the
common belief that h, was a drunkqrd. That he
pubIie ana private afIction.' certain, and there
s AZ af5TPS s5P 70 ISe frE S
return to this country he sought for consolation
in the sordld and solitary bottle;
The sketch of Paine by Goblet announced
OF the e PCGSbcs haSd%rg and IT To tf some M
extent put together BY him. the larger part Of
them however. is the work of Nine. Bonneville.
the wife OF one of Paines friends. who left her
husband followed Paine TO this country and here
for a whle-to put it euphemistlcally-kept house
for him.
'rhat Paiur's character relieved by or
two respectahle traits and that he was one of
the forces which made for liberty in the latter
mart Of ne eighteenth century cannot be denied but
that any in the face of the above facts. even
with the assistance of the thick coats of white
wash which Mr.. Conway has applied TO them
should speak OF Paine pre-eminently faith
mi man whom Church ministers would do well
TO follow is to me. and l think will be most
VI UNION SPRINGS
Union Springs. N. Y. May H. 1902.