![]() The most famous line from Thomas Jeffersons’ first inaugural address, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” is often taken out of context. Like Rome, the United States is founded on a republican myth of liberation from a tyrannical oppressor.The Presidential Election of 1800 in the United States held much significance. “Both the European Union and the United States are in some sense the heirs of Rome. The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams Certainly could not be forestalled, once he had spoken. But that affirmation was made with more vigor, more of the fire of the patriot and was exactly suited to the hour. It must be remembered that 'Common Sense' preceded the declaration and affirmed the very principles that went into the national doctrine of liberty. Washington recognized the difference, and in his calm way said that matters never could be the same again. In 'Common Sense' Paine flared forth with a document so powerful that the Revolution became inevitable. Tom Paine had inscribed a document which never has been answered adversely, and never can be, so long as man esteems his priceless possession. The Assembly met, but could find no suitable answer. One copy reached the New York Assembly, in session at Albany, and a night meeting was voted to answer this unknown writer with his clarion call to liberty. It flashed from hand to hand throughout the Colonies. Then Paine wrote 'Common Sense,' an anonymous tract which immediately stirred the fires of liberty. There is no doubt whatever that the two great documents of American liberty reflect the philosophy of Paine. Their views were intimately understood and closely correlated. But all of these men had communed with Paine. Franklin also had a hand and probably was responsible in even larger measure for the Declaration. We know that Jefferson had much to do with the document. He worked in Philadelphia at the time that the first document was written, and occupied a position of intimate contact with the nation's leaders when they framed the Constitution.Ĭertainly we may believe that Washington had a considerable voice in the Constitution. The Declaration and the Constitution expressed in form Paine's theory of political rights. Paine spoke truth with a peculiarly clear and forceful ring. Truth is governed by natural laws and cannot be denied. Although the present generation knows little of Paine's writings, and although he has almost no influence upon contemporary thought, Americans of the future will justly appraise his work. As we have not advanced, and perhaps never shall advance, beyond the Declaration and Constitution, so Paine has had no successors who extended his principles. I consider Paine our greatest political thinker. He was a friend and confidant of Jefferson, and the two must often have debated the academic and practical phases of liberty. Franklin knew him for a great patriot and clear thinker. Washington himself appreciated Paine at his true worth. The deeds of one in the Weld were matched by the deeds of the other with his pen. Where Washington performed Paine devised and wrote. He was the equal of Washington in making American liberty possible. We never had a sounder intelligence in this Republic. Paine's teachings have been debarred from schools everywhere and his views of life misrepresented until his memory is hidden in shadows, or he is looked upon as of unsound mind. Perhaps I might say right here that this is a national loss and a deplorable lack of understanding concerning the man who first proposed and first wrote those impressive words, 'the United States of America.' ![]() “ Tom Paine has almost no influence on present-day thinking in the United States because he is unknown to the average citizen.
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