Patriotism extraordinaire...

[otaymichael]

Friend sent this article to me recently, it's a great read, and some of the basis of us (the USA) becoming the country we are.

“These are the times that try men’s souls”
Thomas Paine
THE AMERICAN CRISIS, No. 1, 1776
Dec. 19, 1776: Published as a pamphlet in Philadelphia.
Dec. 24, 1776: Read to Washington’s troops before the crossing of the
Delaware River and victory in the Battle of Trenton.

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 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 every thing 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. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has
declared, that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us
in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER, and if being bound in that
manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery
upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD....

Con't: https://americainclass.org/sources/maki ... is1776.pdf

[camobass]

Nice! Hopefully it doesn’t get deleted.

[Werfless]

Who knew?