Mrs. M. E. Cadwallader: "His writings have become classics. They Will
live when those who vilified him are forgotten."
Pittsburgh Press: "The science of criticism, like the spectrum analysis
which reveals the composition of the stars, points unerringly to Thomas
Paine as the only man who could have indited that greatest of literary
masterpieces, the Declaration of Independence."
That the Declaration of Independence is, in its entirety, the work
of Paine probably can not be proven. That he had much to do with
its composition, however, can scarcely be doubted. The circumstances
attending its adoption warrant the assumption, and the style of the
document confirms it. Knowing the marvelous power of Paine's pen,
knowing that with it he had led the people to demand independence, to
suppose that he would not be consulted, that his services would not
be solicited in regard to its preparation is incredible. Had he been a
member of the Continental Congress he certainly would have been selected
to draft the document. He was the soul of the movement and its literary
leader. The historian Gaspey says: "The Government took no steps of
importance without consulting him." The fact that his name was not
mentioned in connection with its authorship at the time argues nothing.
Had he written every word of it neither he nor the Committee could with
propriety have divulged its authorship. The authorship of state papers
and other public documents is assumed by, and credited to, the officials
issuing them and not to the persons who may have been employed to draft
them.
"There is much evidence, both internal and external, in the Declaration,
that some other person than Jefferson was the writer. There is much
evidence, internal and external, that the author was Thomas Paine."--_W.
M. van der Weyde_.
A noted writer, Albert Payson Terhune, presents the following as
the principal arguments that have been adduced in support of Paine's
authorship of the Declaration of Independence:
"The Declaration's first draft contained the phrase: 'Scotch and foreign
mercenaries.' Jefferson was fond of the Scotch, and had two Scotch
tutors; whereas Paine openly hated Scotland and its people.
"The first draft contained the word 'hath' This word is said to be found
nowhere else in Jefferson's writings, while it abounds in Paine's.
"There was also in this draft a sharp rebuke to the British king for his
introducing slavery into his provinces. Jefferson was a slave-holder;
Paine hated slavery.
"That Jefferson, an owner of slaves, should have declared 'all men to be
equal' and 'entitled to liberty,' has always seemed inconsistent.
"Though unjust taxation was one of the Revolution's chief causes,
it receives very slight mention in the Declaration. Jefferson was
supposedly a foe to such taxation. Paine considered the taxation problem
merely as a side issue.
"Paine's notions concerning government as set forth in his 'Common
Sense' are largely embodied in the Declaration.
"Jefferson's style of writing was easy and graceful. Paine's was
forceful, terse, pointed. The Declaration is couched far more in the
latter style than in the former.
"Phrases and words dear to Paine are scattered broadcast through the
document.
"The expression 'Nature and Nature's God' fit in with Paine's favorite
theory that God was to be found in Nature."
"Almost a century ago an American newspaper claimed to have proof that
Jefferson did not write the Declaration, and strongly hinted that Paine
wrote it.
"Jefferson, it is said, never formally claimed the authorship until
after Paine's death, and was always reticent on the subject."
Walton Williams: "Ever since the Revolution there has been a tradition
in certain parts of the country that the real author of the Declaration
of Independence was Thomas Paine. The storm of opprobrium that beat upon
Paine's name because af his religious writings almost eradicated this
tradition."
Jefferson lived fifty years after the Declaration appeared. During
all this time--and his silence is significant--he never claimed the
authorship of the document except in the epitaph which he is said to
have prepared for his tombstone. He was its accredited author and in an
official sense was its author, and in this sense the claim made in his
epitaph is admissible.
Nearly seventy years ago George M. Dallas, then Vice President of the
United States, and an admirer of Jefferson, contended that Paine wrote
the Declaration.
"Whoever may have written the Declaration, Paine was its
author."--_William Cobbett._
New York Sun: "In addition to his great responsibility for the literary
form of the Declaration of Independence, he contributed to literature a
number of phrases which have held a place."
"His phrase, 'These are the times that try men's souls,' illuminates
that gigantic struggle [American Revolution] and has become one of the
shibboleths of liberty."--_Michael Monahan_.
"No life was ever attuned to a nobler sentiment--'Where liberty is not
there is my home.'"--_Dr. Lucy Waite_.
"'The world is my country, to do good my religion." Was ever nobler
thought conceived than this?"--_Eva Ingersoll Brown_.
"Had Paine given to the world nothing more than that matchless phrase
which he adopted as his motto, 'The world is my country; to do good
is my religion,' I should still feel that he was indeed entitled to a
supernal position in the galleries of Fame."--_Elbert Hubbard_.
"A jewel which sparkles forever on the outstretched forefinger of
Time."--_George W. Foote._
Peter Eckler: "Paine's political and religious writings exerted an
immense influence in America, England and France during his life, and
since his death that beneficent influence has increased and extended
throughout the civilized world."
Horace Seaver: "Paine's writings are a noble monument to the loftiness
of his aims, the brilliancy of his genius, the wealth of benevolence in
his heart, and the breadth and power of his intellect."
Horace Traubel: "He will always stand there, immortal in history, a
contemporary giant in whose aggressiveness and fortitude political
literature discovered a new epoch. He will ever be ranked with the
masters in theological innovation."
General Nathaniel Greene: "Your fame for your writings will be
immortal."