The Holly chieftain., 1914-02-20

few months. The soldiers had suffered se-
we're hardshps and the enthusiasm which
carried them through the FRS, stage Of the
revolution had seemed to be dying away.
But now the people. beginning to look toward
higher goal and realizing that it might be
distant. rose above temporary defeat and. ns
spring opened. the militia once more rallied
hopelully; the armies were strengthened by
man, recruits and considerable quantities Of
supplies were gathered.
treat Of Washington through New Jersey.
and when deserson and expiration ol enlist
ments threatened to reduce the army to
helplessness. Paine gain came forward with
encouragement. He wrote the Crisis q
pamphlet written by night at the winter
camp fires while the fugitive army was sleep
ing. |, was printed December the nineteenth
and within lew weeks copies were passing
about the camp. Lracing the soldiers to en-.
uurdnce through the desperate WORK To come,
and inspiring them to yet greater efforts.
lie held before the desparing soldiers the
ideals which their labor and suffering must
turn into realities.
The immediate result Of these writings
the raising Of the spirits Of the lnen;
the words Of Paine cheereJ The ragged
soldiers. filled their hearts with enthusiasm.
and shamed faint hearledness BY the CON
tagion Of the writers dauntIess spri, AMI the
example OF his own ndomilable courage.
The Americans continued the war with u
grim, tenaeity which could not fail to bring
results.
Thus, through the years Of mingled dark
ness and sunshine. Thomas Paine was al his
best when surrounded by failure and des-
pair. While the fortunes of the new union
were fair and bright. he remained in the
back ground. But it was when misfortunes
were disheartening the patriots depicting
their armies and threatening to destroy the
cause ol liberty, that Paine took up his pen.
stirred men from lethargy and forced the
British to recoil before that blaze Of patriotic
energy whose irresistible advance no mer-
cenary troops could stay.
The service of lhomas Paine in aid of the
war for independence cannot be measured
by the usual standards. His influence affected
directly. not individuals or even colonies
alone. but all Americans The aid Of Paine
consisted not directly Of the winning of ma.
terial battles bu, Of the strengthening Of the
minds and spirits Of the contestants. AT
different times he served in the various ca.
pacities oi the soldier. secretary Of the com.
mitee oi foreign affairs. and the secretary to
Laurcns in France: but it is because OF his
ever ready. aggressive PEN that his adopted
country owes him deepest gratitude. The
work ot popular writer in war. is capable
OF accomplishing far reaching and decisive
results; Tor his influence is exerted at the
root oil nation IS strength. with the people
In their times OF doubt and peril the Ameri-
people needed leader who could guide the
strength OF the masses and Paine resp. nded
to their need
The aid of Paine was important because
Of victories which it made possible. His part
OF the war. while not spectacular. was very
effective. Ills grasp Of the funtament.
ais oil II situation and his concise, forcefuI
style brought the facts clearly and emphati.
eohS oei"S the SulonlSts anu lcft no doubt
as to the issues involved. Al the time when
Ameri:a was in danger OF hestating and
bringing herself to ruin. Paine brought into
service his special talent for firing the spirits
OF the people with enthusiasm and ior,i,ude
and gave decisive impetus to the popular
sentiment
In the subsequent victories Of American
courage were felt strongly the results Of lis
keen, daring. exposition Of revolutionary
principles. Few men were given as impor.
,ant position in the war Tor independence as
was Pane. and none executed his task more
ably. When the scene Of our gallant ances.
tors battling for manhood's right is called to
memory. it should not be forgotten that
homas Ia ne was behind the scenes. urging.
to'ng and helping 10 bring into action tn /
irresistible energy which carried this serious
drama to its glorious climax