Common Sense

Embrace the Past...

This Day in History: January 10, 1776

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, published

 

Thomas Paine, Common Sense (London: J. Almon, 1776).
The Charles J. Tanenbaum Collection of the Eighteenth Century TAN-0650

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense, shown here in a New York and a London edition from 1776, the original year of publication, helped to shift American colonists’ anger from Parliament to King George III himself. Read MORE...

Thomas Paine spoke to the common people of America using plain language. His pamphlet Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government, as well as the royal monarchy. This production set forth his arguments and advocated American independence from Britain. It is credited with uniting average citizens with political leaders paving the way for the Declaration of Independence. The highlight of Paine's pamphlet Common Sense is the remarkable role it played in transforming a colonial squabble into the American Revolution. 

It is interesting to note that Thomas Paine was an Englishman. More than that, he was an Englishman the English government condemned because of his teachings, those of independence. The "common sense" Paine made was well understood by the average people. Paine's pamphlet Common Sense made the colonists 'think'. The more the colonists thought, the more ready they were to fight for their independence. It was just simply 'common sense'!

Empower the Present...

There are challenges today similar to those of the past, except today the fight is to maintain independence. Are America's freedoms, liberty and justice simply being taken for granted, totally expected, but not truly appreciated without consideration of the sacrifices made by our forefathers? Now, in the 21st century, shouldn't the words of Thomas Paine still ring true or has common sense been laid to rest amidst the bones and dust of our forefathers?

Think about it! As I rest the matter on the words of Thomas Paine, focus on who are the Whigs and Tories of today. . .

"On these grounds I rest the matter. . .WHEREFORE, instead of gazing at each other with suspicious or doubtful curiosity, let each of us hold out to his neighbor the hearty hand of friendship, and unite in drawing a line, which, like an act of oblivion, shall bury in forgetfulness every former dissension. Let the names of Whig and Tory be extinct; and let none other be heard among us, than those of a good citizen, an open and resolute friend, and a virtuous supporter of the RIGHTS of MANKIND, and of the FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES OF AMERICA."

Enrich the Future of America!

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." —Thomas Paine