Oxford Democrat., 1911-01-24
A Hero and Patriot.

II On January the 29th inst. occurs tn
, lone hundred and seventy. fourth snniver
. sary Of the birth of Thomas Paine, ON
/ of Americas noblest patriots, ono VIII
{ should rank with Washington and sbar
\ with him the thanks of grateful coun
TRY. He was born at Thetford, England
} His father was Quaker, his mother
> member of the Church of England. 81
was quick scholar and industriou
= both at school and In bis father's- shop
! He left home when under age and serves
, la term in the British navy. Afterward
, conducted an academy in London TO
} while, then was engaged in mercantil
} affairs for some years, and held the ofic
of exciseman the last OF his residenc
there. In London be became acqualnt
, ed with Benjamin Franklin who induces
, him to come to this country with hin
and accept the position of editor of th
leading magazine of those times. Th
condition Of the colonies at that tim
enlisted his sympathy and services, ant
he advised total separation from tn
British government.
i Alta meeting of patriots-John Adams
Benz. Rush, BENZ. Franklin and Georg'
Paine coming In, visitor
spoke with such eloquence of the "Inde
peudence of America'-"her glorioul
Future''-"her People that shall swell Il
countless millions'-"her Navy, tha
shall whiten the uttermost sea"-'hel
Destiny, that shall stride on over the
wreck of thrones to the Universal EN-
pire of the Western Continent"-tha
the company were deeply affected
Washington grasped both his hands and
with q voice trembling with emotion
begged him to "write those words in 2
book-a book that should be read in ali
the homes, aud Numbered from all the
pulpits in the country"
The book was written, its title was
Common Sense" and at his own ex.
pense Paine printed and distributed one
hundred thousand copies among the
colonies. Two quotations from 1t will
show the force of his language. "The
sun never shone on cause OF greater
worth" "Tis not the concern Of a day,
year, or an age, posterity are virtually
involved in the contest, and will be more
or less affected, even to the end Of time,
by proceedings now" Everything that
| is right or natural pleads for separation.
The blood OF the slain, the weeping voice
of nature cries, 'Tis time to partm
Prof. Denton was not far from right
when he gave the toast, "Thomas Paine,
the patriot, whose pen accomplished
more for American liberty than the
sword of Washington"
Paine was the inspiring genius Of the
war for independence. He accompanied
the army and shared its hardships and
it's perils. When Washington's army
was driven from Long Island-up the
Hudson-and across New Jersey by the
combined forces of Howe and Clinton
when all had lost courage, and the cause
our soldiers had so bravely fought for
seemed to be doomed, Paine came to the
rescue with the first number OF the
"Crisis" which he issued in pamphlet
| form at intervals until the close of the
war-there were fifteen numbers in all.
These quotations are a sample of his
stirring words. "These are the times
that try mems souls. The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot will, In
this crisis, shrink from the service Of his
country; but he that stands 1t now de-
serves the thanks of man and woman.
Tyranny, like hell. is not easily conquer
ed; vet we have this consolation with
US, that the harder the conflict the more
glorious the triumph"
"The heart that feels not now is dead:
the blood of his children will curse his
cowardice who shrinks back at time
when a a little might have saved the
whole and made them happy. / love
the man that can smile in trouble, that
can gather strength from distress, and
grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the busi-
ness of little minds to shrink; but he
whose heart Is firm, and whose con.
science approves his conduct, will pur-
sue his principles unto DEATH"
This pamphlet was read to every reg-
meut in Washington's army and breath
ed new life and energy into the dis
couraged soldiery, and fixed in their
minds the determination to conquer or
die. At one time when Congress was
aim ost destitute Of funds to 60 on with,
Paine started a subscription for it's re-
lief, heading it with five hundred dollars,
all the money he had, aud succeeded in
obtaining over seven hundred thousand
dollars which secured the further prose-
cution of the war. Washington, Franklin
and other friends advised him to apply
to Congress for the remuneration 30
Justly due him, but he asked nothing.
A ftsr the war was over and affairs were
settled with England, Congress voted
him three thousand dollars. Wher his
book "The Rights of Man" was ready
for the press he refused five thousand
dollars for it and then had it printed at
his own expense and gave it freely to
the world as he did Common Sense"
and "The Crisis" His writings furnish
ed the ideas embodied 10 the constitu-
ton of the United States. Lincoln, who
completed the work for freedom that
Paine had begun, was an interested
reader of his books, and his words,
with malice toward none. with charity
for ALL" are worthy to 60 down the ages
with these of Thomas Paine, "The
world is my country, to do good Is my
religion"
While Paine was absent in France,
during the troublous times of 1902 and
up, an editor of Tory newspaper in
New York, one Cheetham, published a
book entitled, "Tbe Life of Thomas
Paine," which contained the basest
calumnies, the most brazen falsehoods
ever spoken of an honest man. Chez
than had once seemed to be on the side
of the patriots, but had become rene
gade from the Democratic party and
leader among the Tories. Paine had re-
buked him for his falseness and while
smarting under that he wrote the book.
He was planning to 60 to England and
doubtless thought his abuse of Paine
would gain favor for him at the English
court.
will give another quotation from
Paine,-wOrds that must have come
right from his great heart, II believe In
one God, and no more; and hope for
happiness beyond this life" 81 believe
in the equality of man; and l believe
that religious duties consist In doing
justice, loving mercy, and endsavoring
to make our fellow creatures happy"
The Patriotic Instructor, G. A. r.
recommends that this be read in the
schools of Paris.
HENRY MAXIM.
Obituary.
Az Edwin r Wadaworth ann os tho