On December 19, 1776 a pamphlet was published which opened wit this paragraph: These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND US in ALLCASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. From American Crisis by Tom Paine teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-american-crisis/ Earlier in 1776, Paine published Common Sense. EDSITEments lesson on Paine focuses on this earlier tract. edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/common-sense-rhetoric-popular-democracy
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 15:34:31 +0000
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