Common sense. That’s what we all want and what we all need. That’s also the title of the pamphlet that started the American Revolution. Common Sense was written by English immigrant Thomas Paine in 1775 and 1776. He made a strong case for American Independence from the British Empire. Paine published the pamphlet anonymously and the little book circulated around the Colonies and the ideas expressed in it spread like wildfire. It was the most widely distributed and read book in proportion to the American population, in American history.
Thomas Paine was a native of Thetford, England. He sailed to the North American Colonies in 1774. Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in assisting in Paine’s immigration. Upon his arrival in America, Paine wrote his most important work, Common Sense, and published it with the help of several important American friends, including Benjamin Rush who came up with the title. Because of his writing, Paine has been called the “Father of the American Revolution”.
Common Sense made a moral case for American Independence. Paine declared hereditary monarchy to be a sin and indeed, all of government itself to be a necessary evil. He declared that it was only “common sense” that the American colonists throw off English rule and set up a Republic. Paine declared in Common Sense, that, “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth.” What was this noble cause that Paine was advancing? Independence was the noble cause. Paine included an overview of the advantages that the Colonies would have in a war with England. Common Sense was more than simply a piece of political theory or dissertation on philosophy. It was a call to war. Paine used Bible verses to support his points. (Paine later rejected Christianity, after his involvement in the French Revolution.)
Because it was written in a “common sense” style that the common layman could read, the pamphlet spread like wildfire. Because the author was anonymous, there was much debate about who the author was. Many suspected that John Adams had written the influential little book. All that said, Paine’s pamphlet rattled the Colonies to the core. The sword was seized and the banner of freedom unfurled. Support for the Revolution grew at amazing rates because of Common Sense. John Adams went as far as to declare, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”
Today, common sense seems to be going extinct in the political realm of this nation. Politics has become less about serving one’s country and more about serving one’s own interest. Bipartisan bantering has replaced civil debate and discussion. The united and common vision and goal of the founding fathers has been replaced with countless agendas and plans for political advancement. Maybe what our government needs now is just a little more Common Sense.
Interesting Fact of the Week-When George Washington evacuated his army from Long Island, New York, God provided some natural concealment. As dawn approached and Washington’s movements would be seen by the British, a fog descended on Long Island, giving Washington and his forces to complete their evacuation.
Inspiring Quote of the Week-“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” -John Adams