Tom Paine
Writer and Revolutionary
By Jill Scholey
17th Jan 2012
Continued
It was later said of Paine that he was no soldier and kept out of harm’s way while he scribbled his war reports.
Others acknowledged that Paine’s passionate writings kept the fighting men motivated.
Paine walked alone to Philadelphia, some thirty- five miles, to disseminate his writings further.
He began his essay The American Crisis (the first of a series of sixteen pamphlets) which has been called one of
the finest essays in English Language on fearlessness:
“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.”
The pamphlet was published and hastily distributed.
Heartened by its lofty and stirring language, soldiers marched on Trenton and under George Washington were
victorious.
Paine then wrote the second American Crisis paper, which proposed civility and integrity, not vengefulness.
At this time he also met with several Native American tribes, and acted as an intermediary between them and Congress.
Paine became more involved in local politics, always trying to steer a course between extreme radical and conservative views.
After publishing the third American Crisis paper, Paine shifted his attention to the war and national politics.
continued
