The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
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CITIZENSHIP RESTORED TO
PAINE POSTHUMOUSLN

Thomas Paine, who in great
| measure aroused the patriots to re-
volt against Great Britain in 1776
who gave the United States of Amer
lea it's name and who was among the
very first, if not the first, to urge a
League of Nations, was restored to
citizenship in New Rochelle, N. Y,
1876 years after his death. This com
munity had denied Paine the right
to vote in 1906 on the grounds that
he lost American citizenship by be-
coming an honorary citizen OF
France.
On July 4, 1945, the Mayor pro-
claimed: II :. do reinstate, postum
mously, Thomas Paine, first citizen
of America, to full citizenship and
the rights thereof in this city from
July 4, 1945, onward. . Only a few
days ago the United Nations Charter
was signed. This in sense repre-
sents the fulfillment of plan Thom-
as Paine projected through the peo-
pie of America to the world for an
organization of a congress of nations
10 outlaw war.
Many students of history will APP
prove this act. Here are a few express
sions from the pen of Paine to sub
stantiate the record: Republic of
the World" "Confederated Powers, -
Confederation of Nations Neigh
borhood of Nations" European Con
gress," Court of Arbitration, +" PA
cific Republic, Limitation of Arma-
ments," "Dismantling of Navies.''
In July, 1775, he wrote; 81 would
gladly agree with all the world to
lay aside the use of arms, and settle
matters by negotiations. w. j. Bry-
an, 1877 years later, incorporated this
principle in his peace treaties
Chosen the first Secretary of the
Committee of Foreign Affairs in
April, 1777, Paine was in effect our
first Secretary of State. He knew the
great benefits to be derived from dis
cussion of questions both domestic
and foreign.
In his answer during 1892 to Ed
mund Burke's Reflection on the
French Revolution" he said in his
Rights of Man: Formerly, when
divisions arose respecting Govern
ments, recourse was had to the sword
and civil war ensued. That savage
custom is exploded by the new sys-
tenn, and reference is had to national
conventions. Discussion and the gen
eral will arbitrates the question and
10 this private opinion yields with a
good grace, and order is preserved
uninterrupted"
In discussing the advantages of an
European Congress of Nations, lie
said, in part: From what we now
see, nothing of reform in the politi-
cal world ought to be held improb-
able. 1t is an age OF revolutions, in
which everything may be looked for.
The intrigue of courts, by which the
system of war is kept up, may pro-
yoke a confederation of nations to
abolish it; and an European Con-
gress to patroniZa the progress OF
free Government and promote the civ
| ilization of nations with each other,
is an event nearer in probability than
once were the revolutions and ALI
ance of France and Amerira'
Opposed to the old system of alli-
ances and the practice of resorting
to baladne of power in maintaining
the peace of nations, Paine held that
ornaments should be reduced and
this, he urged, should be brought
about by confederation of nations