Thomas Paine began the First 'America First' Revolution: It Might Inform the Next
A New Crisis is Before us...
PUBLIUS SPECIAL GUEST: Lee Habeeb, creator and host of Our American Stories, a podcast and weekly syndicated radio show.
Thomas Paine was born in England, came to the United States in 1774 and may have done more to create our nation than anyone other than George Washington and a handful of founders. His 47-page bestselling essay "Common Sense" (500,000 copies in a nation of 2 million), published anonymously and addressed to "The Inhabitants of America" in 1775, inspired the Colonists to break from their British rulers and declare their independence. Within a year, Paine released a series of essays titled "The American Crisis" to inspire Americans to continue their fight against the British Empire.
The first essay began with these famous words: "These are the times that try men's souls." But Paine was just getting started.
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his 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 everything its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
George Washington read Paine's essays to his war-weary troops, knowing those words would stir their souls. "Common Sense" and "The American Crisis," seen together, helped start the American Revolution. And end it.
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BIO: Lee Habeeb, creator and host of Our American Stories, co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media Group in 2008 as Vice President of Content overseeing their nationally syndicated lineup, and launched Our American Stories in 2016. He is a University of Virginia School of Law graduate, and writes a weekly column for Newsweek.
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Lee Habeeb, creator and host of Our American Stories, a podcast and weekly syndicated radio show.