The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-19
rom PAINE AND HIS COUNTRY.
Remarks Called Forth by . Proposal To
Remove Pnano's Monument.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN--Sir: 1 see that
Alderman Steele OF New Rochelle wishes to
move the monument erected In that town 10
the memory OF Thomas Paine to some less
conspicuous place. Who Ia this man. TINS I'M
known Steele?
Who was Thomas Paine2 Thomas Paine
did more to free mankind from the shackles
OF kings than any man before or since MS
time When Burke, the champion OF kings ana
monarchy, issued his def to the world. Thomas
Paine answered him In that great MASTER
piece The Rights OF Man" When Alder
IMAM Steele shall have been dead and buried
a thousand years hence. dead and forgotten.
-The Rights Of Man" will still live. This work
was the dagger which Paine plunged into the
breasts of kings, and from this blow monarchy
has not recovered nor ever will recover.
1t was Paine in his work entitled Common
Sense" who first advocated the absolute
separation of the Colonies from England.
Many OF the Colonsts wanted compromise,
but Paine. the champion Of the Rights OF
Man." showed them that the only compro-
mise was the absolute separation Of the Col
onies from England, and the erecting Of
new form of government in the shape OF
republic in which all men. OF all nations and
all creeds, should be absolutely free in the pur-
suit OF life, liberty and happiness..
When the volunteer patriots OF the Amsri-
defeat. and were spending that terrible winter
at Valley Forge, faltering as to whether to
continue. or give up the sacred cause Of Tree
ground. with nothing, to write upon but q
the work entitled. THE Crisis The reason
hearts Of our forefathers that they once again
took up their arms and fought with renewed
bravery. in order that their children might
breathe the pure air Of republic. and not the
contemplated air Of a vassal to monarchy
three thousand miles away.
Had Thomas Paine rested here. his memory
would be as honored as that OF Thomas JEFF
ferson. Ne found the prevalent religion OF
his time was the support of monarchy and to
rid the earth OF monarchy he attacked religion
kings--reason. He said that revelation TO
man that had lived five thousand years before
his time was no revelation to him. only hear
himself. he used the right that Luther claimed
was every mans right the right of private
judgment. What his conclusio we're he
never been answered. For doing this. all
he did for his beloved country has been for,
gotten His noble deeds have been burned
al the stake Of biGotrv, and the present gem
GRAFTON sees only the ashes. But the resurrec-
ton is to come truth must and viii prevail.
Thomas Paine was the pioneer OF what y now
known under the respectable name or Higher
Criticism"
let Alderman Steele remember that this is
q Tree country, tnhJ ire tOustlbuIiUh ~ WY
United States recognizes no religion that as all
men are born free and equal, so are all men free
10 worship as their conscience dictates. Let
Paine The man who said THE world is my
country, TO do good my religion" was good
man without his name, the history Of the
United States cannot be truthfullv written.
There ls no place too prominent to erect a
monument 10 His memory.
Beware Alderman Steele! The hand that
touches that monument you wish, to move
is the hand Of bigotry. Bigotry will never be
tolerated by the freedom loving citizens. OF
the United States when the honor and the
memory Of a noble American are at stake
Hands of, Alderman Steelel
NEW YORK. July 10. T. X. MCCARTHY.