On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it’s worth delving into the history of the nascent free press in early America and the role it played in securing liberty.
I regard Thomas Paine as one of the most influential writers of Western History. What he wrote influenced and kept alive the revolutionary spirit during "times that try men's souls". I have read everything available that TP wrote i.e books, pamphlets, letters to Ben Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, etc. He also wrote one of the first articles for the elimination of slavery, as well as one of the first article published in America supporting women to have the right to vote. There is not a single statue in DC honoring Thomas Paine, but there are people who are working on achieving that goal. And yes, we do need common sense 250 years after. Paine did not sign his name to the document in 1776, but rather signed it as Common Sense! It was the most reprinted and most read article in America. And was translated into French which helped inspire the French Revolution. If your are interested in what I wrote here, my email is joseph@commonground.ca
Thanks for your article and accurate sentaments. To find a more robust, fuller account please read The Life of Thomas Paine (all three volumes) written by Moncure Daniel Conway.
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2) by
"The Life of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by Moncure Daniel Conway is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work meticulously chronicles the life and influential career of Thomas Paine, exploring his contributions to literature, politics, and religion across three significant nations: America, France, and England. The narrative seeks to uncover the complexities of Paine's character while addressing the historically negative perceptions that have clouded his legacy. The opening of the biography sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Paine's early influences, family background, and formative years. It discusses his upbringing in Thetford, England, in a Quaker household, detailing the impact of his parents and their respective backgrounds on his critical perspectives. Conway emphasizes the prevailing misconceptions about Paine as he prepares to reject societal norms, foreshadowing his later revolutionary ideas. The author also highlights the societal circumstances of Paine’s early life, including his experiences in a corrupt local government and the harsh realities of his community, which would eventually shape his radical views and writings on political reform and freedom. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Show less
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The First Amendment does indeed embody the guarantee of a free press. But it’s placement was a bit accidental because the original submission to Congress was 12 amendments and a free press appears as the third one.
The states ratified 10 of them in 1791 (numbers 3 to 12). The initial first amendment concerning the size of congressional districts was never ratified. The initial second amendment was ratified in 1992 (yes! 200 hundred years later!).
Thus, the original third amendment became the first one guaranteeing a free press by virtue of this process.
Nice graphic 👍🏻
I regard Thomas Paine as one of the most influential writers of Western History. What he wrote influenced and kept alive the revolutionary spirit during "times that try men's souls". I have read everything available that TP wrote i.e books, pamphlets, letters to Ben Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, etc. He also wrote one of the first articles for the elimination of slavery, as well as one of the first article published in America supporting women to have the right to vote. There is not a single statue in DC honoring Thomas Paine, but there are people who are working on achieving that goal. And yes, we do need common sense 250 years after. Paine did not sign his name to the document in 1776, but rather signed it as Common Sense! It was the most reprinted and most read article in America. And was translated into French which helped inspire the French Revolution. If your are interested in what I wrote here, my email is joseph@commonground.ca
Thanks for your article and accurate sentaments. To find a more robust, fuller account please read The Life of Thomas Paine (all three volumes) written by Moncure Daniel Conway.
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2) by
"The Life of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by Moncure Daniel Conway is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work meticulously chronicles the life and influential career of Thomas Paine, exploring his contributions to literature, politics, and religion across three significant nations: America, France, and England. The narrative seeks to uncover the complexities of Paine's character while addressing the historically negative perceptions that have clouded his legacy. The opening of the biography sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Paine's early influences, family background, and formative years. It discusses his upbringing in Thetford, England, in a Quaker household, detailing the impact of his parents and their respective backgrounds on his critical perspectives. Conway emphasizes the prevailing misconceptions about Paine as he prepares to reject societal norms, foreshadowing his later revolutionary ideas. The author also highlights the societal circumstances of Paine’s early life, including his experiences in a corrupt local government and the harsh realities of his community, which would eventually shape his radical views and writings on political reform and freedom. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Show less
Read online now
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
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The First Amendment does indeed embody the guarantee of a free press. But it’s placement was a bit accidental because the original submission to Congress was 12 amendments and a free press appears as the third one.
The states ratified 10 of them in 1791 (numbers 3 to 12). The initial first amendment concerning the size of congressional districts was never ratified. The initial second amendment was ratified in 1992 (yes! 200 hundred years later!).
Thus, the original third amendment became the first one guaranteeing a free press by virtue of this process.