OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
ORATION 
 
 DELIVERED IN TAMMANY HALL, IN COMMEMORATION 
 
 BIRTHDAY 
 
 THOMAS PAIBTE: 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION 
 
 Of tht 95th Anniversary of that Day, (29<A January 1832,) by the friendi 
 and admirers of his writings. 
 
 PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE Of MANAGEMENT. 
 
 MEW YORK. 
 
 EVANS & BROOKS, PRINTERS, No. 1 MOTT STREET, , 
 Corner of Chatham Square, 
 
 MDCCCXXXIL 
 
TC/7? 
 
 ORATION. 
 
 [THE Birthday of MR. PAINE falling this year on a Sunday, it was thought 
 advisable to postpone the DINNER and BALL in commemoration of that event, 
 to the following day, and to have the Oration delivered on the preceding evening. 
 Although that evening was, perhaps, as stormy as any other during this remark- 
 ably severe winter, Tammany Hall was crowded by as respectable an audience 
 of ladies and gentlemen as New York could produce, to listen to the following 
 ORATION, delivered by Mr. JOHN MORRISON.] 
 
 FELLOW CITIZENS, 
 
 WE are now assembled together to render a tribute to the 
 memory of one of the greatest men that ever existed ; yet, para- 
 doxical as it may appear, the man on whom the most virulent and 
 unrelenting abuse has been poured, for declaring his honest opinions 
 as to what constitutes the happiness of the human race. Fearlessly, 
 and in despite of what his base calumniators may say, we are now 
 met in this place for the avowed purpose of proclaiming to the 
 world our unqualified approbation of the principles so powerfully 
 advocated, even at the risk of all that was dear to existence, by the 
 ever to be venerated and truly philanthropic THOMAS PAINE. 
 
 Although we were not prompted to render this tribute to the 
 memory of the deceased by the force of established custom, no one, 
 I trust, will deny that meetings to commemorate the natal day of 
 those who have been conspicuous laborers in the great work of hu- 
 man happiness, are calculated to stimulate the living to emulate 
 their virtues, and to communicate to the bosoms of their descendants 
 the just and noble sentiments that animated their own. 
 
 In undertaking the arduous, though pleasing task, of endeavoring 
 to do justice to the character of this amiable man, I am deeply im- 
 pressed with the truth of what has been more than once remarked, 
 that the present age is incapable of sufficiently appreciating the 
 imperishable labors of his mighty mind. I have likewise felt, that 
 my talents were too feeble to depict, in its true colors, the bitter ani- 
 mosity with which his character and writings have been assailed, 
 and the heartlessness with which even those who profess to admire 
 these writings, have defended the fair fame of their author. But as 
 my object has been to state facts, rather than indulge in idle de- 
 clamation ; and as I am persuaded the greater part of those who 
 now hear me would prefer this course to a florid harangue, in which 
 sense was sacrificed to sound, I throw myself entirely on your in- 
 
diligence, while 1 proceed to do no more than what I consider an 
 act of justice, and what, as rational beings, we owe to all our spe- 
 cies, the vindication of an injured man from the vituperations of 
 bigotry and fanaticism. 
 
 THOMAS PAINE, although a native of Great Britain,* was, in the 
 strict sense of the word, a citizen of the world. Long before the 
 American " Declaration of Independence" announced the impor- 
 tant, arid, to tyrants, the appalling truth, that " all men are born 
 free and equal," he had cherished this sentiment in his bosom ; and 
 the first proof that he gave of its paramount influence in his mind, 
 was, to fly to the aid of his brethren in this country,! who were 
 struggling to free themselves from a cruel and foreign despotism. 
 He could not, it is true, be of much service in a military point of 
 view, to those he came to assist. But what he lacked in this respect, 
 he more than supplied by his powerful pen. When the army of 
 the brave Washington was reduced to nearly the last extremity, and 
 the opinion was almost universal that the cause of American liberty 
 was hopeless, Paine, confident in the correctness of his principles, 
 and determined to avow them at all hazards, stepped forward, and 
 in his admirable treatise entitled "Common Sense," and in the 
 " Crisis," urged the necessity of a virtual separation from the op- 
 pressors, and the formation of a government congenial with the true 
 principles of liberty. 
 
 This fearless attempt, in which he stood alone, had the desired 
 effect. The project was almost unanimously hailed with rapture. 
 The slumbering energies of the nation were roused our forefathers 
 rushed to arms and, by conforming to those principles which the 
 mighty mind of Paine was alone capable of conceiving, that political 
 fabric was reared of which we now so justly boast, because it is cal- 
 culated to secure to all the uninterrupted enjoyment of their natural 
 rights. 
 
 Having aided, in so essential a manner, in establishing the liber- 
 ties of this country, and perceiving in the political horizon indica- 
 tions of better days for enslaved Europe, he hastened to his native 
 country,! which he reached at the moment the breaking out of the 
 French Revolution threatened the overthrow of all the existing 
 thrones in that quarter of the globe. Here he associated with those 
 great men, whose memory will be ever held dear by the friends of 
 liberty, for the sacrifices they made in the common cause of hu- 
 manity ; and from whom emanated that impressive "Address and 
 Declaration," written by Paine, in which they " congratulate the 
 French nation for having laid the axe to the root of tyranny, and 
 for erecting a government on the sacred hereditary rights of man 
 rights which appertain to all, and not to any one more than ano- 
 ther;" and fearlessly declared, that they " know of no human 
 
 * Mr. Paine was born at Thetford, in Norfolk, England, on the 29th Jan. 1737. 
 
 t He arrived in the United States in the month of April, 1775. 
 
 t 1787. 
 
 ^ Home Tooke, Thomas Hardy, and others. 
 
authority superior to that of a whole nation, which has at all time* 
 an inherent, indefeasible right to constitute and establish such 
 government for itself, as best accords with its disposition, interest, 
 and happiness." 
 
 This appeal, containing an avowal of principles so subversive of 
 established systems, roused the indignation of the aristocracy in 
 Great Britain to such a degree, that the most oppressive measures 
 were resorted to, in order to prevent their promulgation, and to 
 punish those who had had the hardihood to avow them. By the 
 suspension of the habeas corpus act, hundreds were imprisoned 
 without knowing for what. Some of these were brought to trial 
 accused of high treason, and acquitted : others, charged with sedi- 
 tion only, were convicted, and transported to inhospitable climes, 
 for a long series of years, and from, whence, with only one excep- 
 tion,* none of them ever returned to their native land. Paine, not 
 Imping been suspected at this time by the English ministry as having 
 been any \ray active in exciting the public mind, escaped unnoticed. 
 But when the writings of the apostate Burke,f who was hired for 
 the purpose of assailing the principles of the French Revolution, 
 induced Paine to give to the world the '* Rights of M:in," he then 
 became particularly obnoxious to the government, who immediately 
 marked him out for destruction. Before, however, the schemes for 
 his ruin could be completed, he was elected a member of the Na- 
 tional Assembly of France, by several electorates ; and having made 
 choice of Calais, a deputation of his constituents waited upon him 
 in England, to escort him to Paris, where he was received with that 
 attention which must ever prove gratifying to a noble-minded, and 
 truly virtuous man. 
 
 While in the National Assembly, the talents of Paine were 
 remarkably conspicuous in repelling every attack on the new Con- 
 stitution ; arid when the unfortunate Louis was on his trial at the 
 bar of that House, he evinced his great humanity by voting in oppo- 
 sition to the sentence which sent that monarch to the scaffold. For 
 this intrepid act Robespierre never forgave Paine. During the 
 reign of terror, this sanguinary despot caused him to be imprisoned ; 
 but he fortunately escaped the decapitation which this scourge of 
 the human race intended to inflict. 
 
 Hitherto the attention of Paine had been chiefly directed to a 
 revolution in politics; and although it must have gratified him 
 much to witness the beneficial effect of his writings in Europe, as 
 well as in America, his penetrating genius could not fail to discover 
 that no nation could be considered frtt^ while the mind was 
 twimelled with opinions subversive of the first principles of liberty. 
 He had, doubtless, taught mankind that they were best qualified to 
 govern by representatives chosen from among themselves, without 
 the aid of kings or of nobles. But he could not 'shut his eyes to the 
 fact, that besides kings and nobles, there existed another power in 
 
 * Maurice Margarott. t Vide Appendix No. I. 
 
alliance with these a power continually opposed to the civil power 
 consisting of a body of priests, who, in virtue of their pretended 
 divine mission and sacred office, arrogated the right of giving laws 
 to the universe. Puffed up with the titles they had given themselves, 
 he saw these men every where laboring to exact obedience, and 
 claiming dangerous prerogatives, which none were suffered to ques- 
 tion without incurring the displeasure of the Almighty. And so 
 well had the priesthood managed this matter, that, in many coun- 
 tries, the people were to be seen inclined more to the authority of 
 the church than to that ofth*e government. Indebted to the priest- 
 hood for what they styled the " right divine" to govern, the rulers 
 of the earth were, on their part, necessarily compelled to concede 
 to this order an undue influence, and to confer on its members dig- 
 nity, titles, and revenues, which enabled them to become the rivals 
 of sovereigns, and to dispose of their crowns at pleasure. Thus 
 invested, the people were subjected to the will of the priesthood, 
 whose principal aim was to deprive the mind of its vigor, by instill- 
 ing into it a senseless superstition. Vice thus became encouraged ; 
 and largesses to the church supplied the place of morals, and atoned 
 for the most atrocious crimes. Such, indeed, was the ascendancy 
 that the priesthood had acquired, and still hold in many countries, 
 that they hesitated at no crimes, however enormous, or however 
 much they violated the principles of humanity. The bonds of jus- 
 tice were too weak to restrain their vicious propensities ; and when 
 they found it necessary, which they frequently did, to raise the cry, 
 " the church is in danger our religion is assailed the cause of 
 heaven must be defended" men became irrational beings; they 
 imbibed the ferocity of the tiger, and, like beasts of prey, thirsted 
 for the blood of their fellow men, whom the artful priest had marked 
 out as victims of cruelty. 
 
 History is filled with so many instances of the atrocities of this 
 order of men, that volumes mighl be written on the subject. Can 
 it be a matter of surprise, then, that Paine, with this history lying 
 before him, stained with so many crimes of the priesthood, and 
 having himself witnessed, on many occasions, the pernicious effect 
 of their influence and example can it, I say, surprise any one who 
 reflects for a moment, that he whose whole mind was fully bent, at 
 all hazards, on ameliorating the condition of man, should employ 
 his great talents in exposing this monstrous evil ? The surprise 
 would rather have been, that he should have refrained from endea- 
 voring to prostrate a power fraught with so much danger to human 
 happiness ; because he must have foreseen, and his writings show 
 he did foresee it, that so long as the human mind is entirely sub- 
 mitted to the control of an interested priesthood, who say and do as 
 they please, so long will mankind remain in a state of abject slave- 
 ry. For of what avail is it to be politically free while mentally en- 
 slaved ? Of what use is it to be acquainted with the " rights of man," 
 if our " reason" is not at perfect liberty to make a proper applica- 
 tion of these rights ? 
 
Viewing matters, therefore, in this light the light in which Paine 
 evidently contemplated them, convinced that the man who sways 
 the mind of another, has as great a power over his actions^ as if he 
 actually held him in fetters, he engaged in the task of mental eman- 
 cipation with the same ardor, and pursued it with the same steady 
 perseverance, that had marked his former career. As when assailing 
 political corruption he felt unawed by the sacred character with 
 which they had invested royalty, so when he commenced the "Age 
 of Reason," he was regardless of the trickery of the priesthood, who 
 have fenced their dogmas round with " holiness," and, for the pur- 
 pose of preventing the too inquisitive from prying into their myste- 
 ries, and exposing their frauds, have inculcated the doctrine that 
 there are certain subjects which ought to be approached with " re- 
 verential awe," and humble prostration of intellect. Disdaining a 
 doctrine so infamous a doctrine by which kings as well as priests 
 have too long contrived to perpetuate their despotic sway, Paine en- 
 tered on the investigation of " theology" with a mind entirely free 
 from prejudice, and with a determination to exercise the noble fa- 
 culty of Reason, which the priests had so much decried, but without 
 which even they, with all their boasted learning, would be worse than 
 the brute species. However much this band of conspirators against 
 the exaltation of human nature declaimed against free, unrestrained 
 discussion, Paine was not to be intimidated. Where Truth was the 
 object contemplated, it appeared to him the greatest absurdity to sup- 
 pose that any one could go too far in their investigations ; and ridi- 
 culous to expect that the enemies of Truth could be silenced by soft 
 and honied words. Nor could he conceive how the eyes of others 
 could be opened to imposture, by drawing a veil over its deeds. To 
 rid the world of spiritual tyranny, he saw the necessity of attacking 
 it fearlessly, and depicting it in its true colors ; for if it was not rep- 
 resented as it really was ; if mankind were not put on their guard 
 in a language which all could understand, against those who traffic 
 in deception, how could the cause of mental emancipation be pro 
 moted ; how the reign of error and of priestcraft be terminated? 
 
 To justify the encroachments the priests had made on public 
 liberty, they pretended that they were " Ambassadors from heaven." 
 " Where, then," asked Paine, " are your credentials 1 If, as you 
 say, you are * sent from God, 5 show us these credentials. By these 
 and these only can we judge of the reality of your mission." They 
 point to the Bible, which they dignify by the name of the " Word of 
 God ;" and Paine, taking his stand at once on this pretended 
 revelation of the divine will, enters without hesitation on the inves- 
 tigation. 
 
 The result of this inquiry is to be found in the "Age of Reason. 11 
 In that work we find the most incontrovertible reasons for reject- 
 ing the assertions of the priesthood, that it was written by the 
 inspiration of God. Even the existence of Moses, who is said to 
 have been the author of the first five books, is shown to be 
 problematical ; and that the account of the Jews who are represent- 
 
ed in these writings aa having been a great nation, as having had a 
 Jong genealogy of kings, a city built on the most improved style of 
 architecture, and a temple in which to worship their god, far surpass- 
 ing any thing belonging to Grecian or Roman mythology could 
 be nothing but fictions, as the Jews, as a nation, were never heard 
 of till long after the Babylonish captivity, and were even then 
 regarded as a horde of wild Arabs as the " most barbarous of all 
 the barbarians." This, at once rendered the authenticity of these 
 books more than questionable, and struck an effectual blow at the 
 credentials of the priesthood. 
 
 But this is not all : Paine has shown, in the " Age of Reason," 
 that the person or persons who wrote the Bible were entirely ignorant 
 of the most obvious principles of natural philosophy, which could 
 not be the case if divine wisdom had any thing to do in the forma- 
 tion of these writings. Even of the being who is said to have 
 inspired this book, the most ridiculous and disgusting narratives are 
 shown to disgrace its pages. He is there represented as altogether 
 made up of human qualities having eyes to see* hands and arms 
 to deal vengeance on his foesf ears to hearj a mouth to speak 
 feet to walk, || and a head covered with hair.ft In one part of these 
 books, he is represented as a savage bear.** In another as a 
 voracious leopard. ft Sometimes he is made to appear in the cha- 
 acter of a warrior.|J At other times like a drunkard in a state of 
 beastly intoxication. He is also represented (as Paine has shown) 
 in the pages of this inspired volume, as a cruel, vindictive, revenge- 
 ful, imbecile, changeable, and suspicious tyrant, who knew not how 
 to conduct himself with propriety towards his subjects; who amused 
 himself by laying snares to entrap them ; and who imposed trials on 
 them, and laid temptations before them, that he might have the- 
 pleasure of inflicting punishment for yielding to these trials and to 
 these temptations. "Whenever (to use the emphatic words of Paine 
 himself) we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, 
 the cruel, torturous executions, and the unrelenting vindictiveness 
 with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more con- 
 sistent that it be called the word of a demon^ than the word of God. 
 It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize 
 mankind. Did this book excel in purity of ideas and expression 
 all the books that are now extant in the world, I would not take it 
 for my rule of faith as being the " word of God," because the pos- 
 sibility would nevertheless exist of my being imposed upon. But 
 when I see, throughout the greatest part of this book, scarcely any 
 thing but a history of the grossest vices, and a collection of the most 
 paltry and contemptible tales, I cannot dishonor my creator by 
 calling it by his name." 
 
 * Prov. xv. 3. t Jer. xxi. 5. J Paa. xxxiv. 15. Isa. Iv. 11, 
 | Ezek. xliii. 7. IT Dan. vii. 9. ** Lam. iii. 10 ft Hosea xiiu 7. 
 
 U Exod. xv. 3. M Psa. Ixxviii. 65. 
 
9 
 
 Such is'the character given by Paine, after a careful examination, 
 of writings which have so long been regarded sacred by the multi- 
 tude, and on which the priesthood have established an empire more 
 powerful, and more degrading to the human mind, than the most 
 despotic empire of the East. 
 
 In discussing the merits of the New Testament books, Paine 
 expresses himself in the same undaunted and candid manner. "I 
 have now (lie says) gone through the examination of the four books 
 of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John ; and when it is considered that 
 the whole space of time from the crucifixion to what is called the 
 ascension, is hut a few days, and that all the circumstances are said 
 to have happened nearly about the same spot, Jerusalem; it is, I 
 believe, impossible to find in any story upon record so many and 
 such glaring absurdities, contradictions, and falsehoods, as are in 
 these books." 
 
 If the nature of this address did not preclude a labored criticism 
 on Paine's writings, how easily could it be shown, by citations from 
 these writings, that the whole fabric of Christianity was reared on 
 a baseless foundation. We are told that the reputed founder of 
 that system, whose existence is more than questionable, was the 
 eternal and immutable God. Paine hesitated to acknowledge a 
 position so startling. He could not entertain the idea that the God 
 of Nature could appear on the earth in the form of man ; that, as 
 the New Testament represents, he should be born of a woman the 
 son of a carpenter delivered in a stable nursed in a manger 
 hang as an infant on the breast of his mother driven about from 
 place to place, having no where to lay his head scourged tried and 
 condemned to death for disturbing the public tranquillity expiring 
 on a cross, and entombed in a sepulchre. No, no Paine, as a rational 
 man, did not believe, and no other rational man who will allow himself 
 to reflect on the subject, could not for a moment believe that the God 
 of Nature was subjected to such indignities. Common sense revolts 
 at the belief of such absurd and ridiculous nonsense. Yet it was 
 for exposing these absurdities for daring to avow his disbelief of 
 these idle tales that Paine was accused of blasphemy ; his memory, 
 even to this day, held in abhorrence by the unreflecting, and almost 
 every crime attributed to him of which man is supposed capable of 
 being guilty. 
 
 It is no less true than it is deplorable, that the person who has 
 the hardihood to break through the trammels of mental error who 
 has the courage to proclaim the falsehood of delusive and petrifying 
 systems who has the honesty, like the immortal Paine, to lay bare 
 the glaring impositions of the priesthood is exposed to nil the 
 rancorous and inhuman treatment that can be inflicted by a bewil- 
 dered, maddened, and fanatical multitude. Such was the case on 
 the appearance of the " Age of Reason." The efforts of the priests 
 to counteract the influence of the truths which it proclaimed were 
 so successful, that their stupid votaries became insane. They ima- 
 gined that it would be pleasing to deity to exterminate every one 
 
JO 
 
 whose ideas did not correspond with their own blind and stupid 
 fancies. They, therefore, regarded Paine as a monster, whose 
 destruction would be the most acceptable service they could perform 
 to secure the approbation of their idol. 
 
 It might have been expected, if the " Age of Reason" was that 
 disgraceful production which the priesthood are in the practice of 
 representing it, that of the seventy thousand of that order in Great 
 Britain alone, some hundreds at least would have been found capa- 
 ble of refuting the bold assertions of its author, and which militated 
 so powerfully against the stability of the system by which they were 
 maintained in ease and affluence. One priest only (Bishop Wat- 
 son) ventured to enter the lists with Paine ; but as his sole object 
 was prefermtntf it is easy to perceive from his writings that even the 
 bishop, with all his learning, despaired of controverting the facts 
 and lucid arguments of so powerful an antagonist. The rest of the 
 testy herd of reverends, right reverends, and fathers in god, thought 
 it the best policy to shrink from the contest, and to endeavor, in 
 their pulpit harangues, to divert the/ attention of their credulous 
 followers from the merits of the case, by insinuations prejudicial to 
 the character of Paine, or by affixing a stigma on his opinions, 
 which they knew would render them unpopular with an ignorant 
 and superstitious multitude. 
 
 Unable to meet him in the fair field of argument, they resorted to 
 abuse. Reason was too powerful for them, and therefore they de- 
 cried Reason. The only means of defence to which they resorted 
 was foul language. Paine was denounced an Atheist and a blas- 
 phemer, and his writings pronounced " highly displeasing to Al- 
 mighty God," and subversive of the principles of morality. 
 
 When the enemies of Paine substitute abuse for argument, they 
 do not seem to be aware that this is tantamount to an acknowledg- 
 ment of the correctness of his principles, and of their awn inability 
 to combat his incontrovertible reasoning. When they call him an 
 Atheist, they evince their total ignorance of what he has written ; 
 for it is impossible to peruse the " Age of Reason," without disco- 
 vering that its author believed in the being of a God, and consoled 
 himself with the hope of enjoying the reward of a virtuous life in a 
 future state of existence. 
 
 As to the charge of blasphemy, the word has no meaning when 
 applied to religion. It is a word, doubtless, that operates most 
 powerfully on the generality of minds. But all that can be said of 
 it is, a speaking evil of a system of words. To vilify or blaspheme 
 the character of our neighbor, would be injurious, because it would 
 bring him into discredit among his equals. But how can man, by 
 any thing he says or writes, injure the character of deity, who is 
 acknowledged to have no equal? If one man speaks evil of another 
 man's religion, he does no more than question the truth or correct- 
 ness of certain opinions ; and if he convinces him that he is in error, 
 he performs a moral act, for which he ought to be applauded. 
 Paine ha been charged with " unsettling the faith of thotiiandi" 
 
11 
 
 by his writings. But he could not have done this, if the faith which 
 he unsettled had been well founded. So far, therefore, from being 
 justly stigmatized for giving his opinions to the world on the subject 
 of religion, those who defame him on that account not only do in- 
 justice to his character and motives, but virtually pass a censure on 
 themselves whenever they advance opinions the correctness of which 
 may be disputed by other?. 
 
 No small portion of abuse has been heaped on the memory of 
 Paine, on account of the alleged scurrility of his writings. " He 
 should," say his enemies, " have had more respect than he has 
 shown for the prejudices" of others. He should not have been so 
 sarcastic. He should have shown more deference for " holy things" 
 than to have " held them up to ridicule." Now if Paine had be- 
 lieved in the contents of the "Holy Bible," as it is called, he never 
 would have attempted to impeach its character, or have pronounced 
 it an imposition. If he had even entertained an idea that any one 
 could prove it to be true, he would have been extremely cautious as 
 to his mode of treating it. But when he found in that book a mere 
 system of notions, without proofs or realities, he saw no reason for 
 regarding it in a more favorable light than he would have done any 
 other book which might have been the subject of free discussion. 
 If he had not found tilings in themselves ridiculous pervading the 
 greater part of the Bible, he would not have employed ridicule to 
 render it contemptible. Indeed, unless there had been something 
 ridiculous to work upon, all the wit and all the satire in the world 
 would have been vainly directed against it. Criticism, even although 
 severe, gives a lustre to truth ; it belongs to error alone to dread its 
 influence. If Paine had flattr.rtd, instead of ridiculed the prejudices 
 of others, it micht. perhaps, have been better for him. He might 
 have escaped the many persecutions which he suffered while alive, 
 and those who admire his character and principles would not now 
 have found it necessary to rebut the numerous falsehoods which 
 have been circulated respecting him by a fanatical and relentless 
 foe. But did Paine flatter the political prejudices of the enemies 
 of liberty in his " Rights of Man?" No. Why then should he have 
 flattered their religious prejudices in his "Age of Reason?" Was 
 it more his duty as a philanthropist to flatter than to remove these 
 prejudices? And if the mass of mankind were so wedded to antiquated 
 system?, founded on a volume of ridiculous and puerile narratives 
 diametrically opposed to each other, and subversive of all good 
 sense and sound morality, they could expect nothing else than to 
 have their favorite dogmas exhibited in their true colors. 
 
 The doctrine, that "it is best to chime in with public prejudices 
 that this is the safest course to follow the most generally re- 
 spected that it would be dangerous to alter it, and, therefore, it 
 ought not to be abused," received no countenance from Paine. It is 
 a doctrine which he was well aware might suit the taste of tyrants 
 and slavish formalists, but it could never meet the approbation of 
 impartial reason, nor accord with the interests of society. If a 
 
12 
 
 principle like this were to be sanctioned, there would be an end to 
 all improvement. Every invention or discovery for the benefit of 
 mankind would be discouraged ; and the intellectual faculty, the 
 most glorious ornament with which Nature has endowed man, 
 would be of little use, if priests and despots were to accomplish their 
 desire in thus attempting to cramp its exertions. 
 
 It has been offered as an apology for the style of writing adopted 
 by Paine, that he was illiterate, knowing only his own language, and 
 possessing but a smattering of French. This apology I consider 
 altogether inadmissible. The sole object of Paine was to convey 
 instruction to the mind. He was a child of Nature, and his language 
 Nature's Eloquence. He considered knowledge as "consisiing no 
 longer in a given quantity of words, but in making words the real 
 signs of the real qualities of real bodies, and in using no one word 
 that was not a sign of a real body, or its quality.'* lie disdained, 
 therefore, all artificial embellishments all those tropes and figures 
 so much resorted to by what are called " fine writers," but which, 
 o far from conveying any useful knowledge, seldom fail to darken 
 the understanding. It is ridiculous to suppose that a knowledge of 
 Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and the other oriental languages which are 
 thought necessary to " form the scholar and accomplished gentle- 
 man," ever made a wise man. To the statesman who has to 
 conduct the foreign relations of a government, and to the traveller, 
 this course of study might be useful and even desirable. But I have 
 almost uniformly found the man whose head is filled "with classic 
 lore," very deficient in the true meaning and application of his 
 native language, and, in general, very ignorant of the principles of 
 philosophy. "True glory (says Pliny) consists in having done 
 something worth the writing having written something worth the 
 reading, and having made the world better and'happier for having 
 lived in it." 
 
 This was the only glory which Paine was ambitious of attaining; 
 and however much his enemies may exert themselves to rob him of 
 his well earned fame, his writings will remain an imperishable 
 monument of his talents and virtues so long as the race of man 
 endures. 
 
 Had Paine's writings been of that "immoral" tendency which 
 has been alleged, his enemies would, long ere this, have pointed 
 out the passages which they pretend warrant this charge. But they 
 have not done so, and that for the best of all reasons his works 
 contain nothing of an immoral character. On the contrary, the 
 whole of his writings, hitherto published, inculcate the most correct 
 and benevolent principles. Even his political writings, besides 
 conveying important instruction, are full of moral sentences, which 
 may he read with pleasure by every votary of truth and justice. It 
 is only such as have never perused his works, and who form an 
 opinion of them merely from the denunciations of the priesthood, who 
 declaim against them. I appeal to those who have read them with 
 attention, particulary the "Age of Reason," if the principles ther 
 
IS 
 
 inculcated are not every way calculated to improve the condition of 
 man. No one can say that any thing is to be found in the pages of 
 the latter work unfit for the perusal of females or of children. There 
 you have no obscene tales to pollute the ears, or raise a blush on the 
 cheek of innocence. Can this be said of the Bible, so much 
 vaunted of for its moral precepts, and which is alleged to have been 
 inspired by a God of purity ? 
 
 It was the great object of Paine to teach only what was useful. 
 Benevolence breathes through the whole of his writings, and the 
 importance and utility of those virtues, the practice of which he 
 so forcibly recommended, he strikingly illustrated by the actions of 
 his life. I have already alluded to his humane efforts in endeavor- 
 ing to save the life of the king of France. However much he 
 detested royalty, *' his benevolent heart (as has been justly remarked^ 
 could feel for, and plead the cause of suffering humanity even in 
 the person of a king. Cruelty and revenge were passions too base 
 and ignoble to reside in his expansive bosom. He delighted in 
 seeing all men happy; and he considered no sacrifice too great 
 which tended to promote the general good." 
 
 But this is not the only instance recorded of the humanity and 
 generous feelings displayed by Paine at the period alluded to. 
 While a member of the National Assembly of France, he received a 
 blow from an 1n temper ate Knglishman ; an offence punishable at that 
 time with death, under a law passed for the special protection of the 
 persons of the Deputies. But instead of giving up the violator of 
 this law to be punished, Paine assisted him to escape from Paris, 
 and actually gave him money to convey him to England, which the 
 fugitive reached in safety. 
 
 All who have had the pleasure of being intimately acquainted 
 with Paine confirm, by their united testimony, the truth which these 
 facts so clearly establish, that he was a man of the most benevolent 
 feelings, and that his whole energies were devoted to the amelioration 
 of the condition of the human race. If time would premit, many of 
 thfse testimonies might now be cited. But as this is not the case, 
 I shall merely occupy your attention with a short extract of a letter 
 from tbe much and deservedly lamented Lord Edward Fitzgerald, 
 who fell a victim to British tyranny.* He was at Paris in 1 792, 
 and in writing to his mother, he says, "I lodge with my friend 
 Paine. We breakfast, dine, and sup together. The more I see of 
 his interior, the more I like and respect him. I cannot express 
 how kind he is to me there is a simplicity of manner, a goodness 
 of heart, and a strength of mind in him, that I never knew any 
 man before possess." 
 
 Who is there among the pious calumniators of this great man 
 that would not be proud to merit so high an encomium? Who among 
 them that would not prize above all things the amiable disposition 
 which could spontaneously elicit from a person of such superior 
 
 * Vide Appendix No. . 
 
u 
 
 rank an tlilogy so well deserved by the object for which it trai 
 intended 1 ? Yet have these wholesale slanderers never ceased since 
 the amiable Paine was consigned to the silent tomb, to fabricate, 
 and put in circulation, the most barefaced and malignant falsehoods 
 respecting him ; and even after these falsehoods have been again 
 and again refuted, they persist in reiterating them in their pious 
 journals, the contents of which they well know are implicity credited 
 by their deluded followers, and who can never be undeceived through 
 the same channels because it ever has been the policy of the 
 conductors of these vehicles of slander, to exclude every thing from 
 their pages which has a tendency to do justice to the reputation of 
 Paine.* Instances could even be mentioned where the editors of 
 papers, professing to advocate liberal principles, have studiously 
 avoided mentioning even the name of Paine; while they have extolled 
 that of Washington, of Jefferson, and of Franklin, as the prominent 
 leaders in that revolution, which their great co-patriot had done so 
 much by his pen to consolidate. Far be it from me to withhold one 
 atom of praise from the individuals \\hose names I have just 
 mentioned. They will ever be honored for the services they 
 performed by a grateful and admiring country. But if the ex- 
 ertions of Paine, at that eventful period which "tried men's souls," 
 are fairly appreciated, I arn persuaded it will be acknowledged 
 that although there may have been minds in activity as great as 
 his, yet none of them were so "wisely great." In moral courage, 
 he unquestionably surpassed all his cotemporaries ; for who 
 among them would have had the daring, like him, to unveil the 
 frauds and deceptions practised by the ministers of a mysterious 
 theology] who assail, as did Paine, this "bulwark of religion, 
 founded on the rock of nges," and which claimed to be under the 
 immediate protection of a terrible and an avenging deity? Even 
 Franklin, after having nearly disarmed the thunder of its terrors, 
 shrunk with dismay at the apprehension of being assailed by the 
 malignant shafts of superstition, on account of the doubts he enter- 
 tained as to the divinity of Jesus. Although it is scarcely to4>e 
 questioned that Washington was a liberal, it is in vain to deny the 
 fact, that he cautiously concealed his principles, and, in some 
 respects, acted a double part, lest he should render himself obnoxious 
 to the priesthood. If Jefferson had published his sentiments on 
 theology, as Paine did, is it not probable lie would have been 
 excluded from the presidental chair, and denounced as a detestable 
 infidel, instead of a good patriot? 
 
 After what has been said, can it for a moment be doubted, that 
 the treatment which Paine has met with, and the odium which has 
 been attached to his name, has been occasioned solely by the influ- 
 ence of the priesthood? In Great Britain, such was the animosity 
 which these men entertained towards him, that if he had not been 
 beyond the reach of their jurisdiction, they never would have been 
 
 * Vide Appendix No. 3. 
 
15 
 
 satisfied until they had glutted their demonaical feelings with th 
 blood of their victim. Although the soil of the United States has, 
 in a great measure, escaped the pollution consequent on the san- 
 guinary inflictions of these spiritual tyrants, there have heen periods, 
 even in this free country, when the persons of our citizens were not 
 always safe from the effects of a blind and furious fanaticism when 
 men, pretending to be influenced by maxims of kindness and peace, 
 evinced themselves to be inexorable persecutors.* 
 
 It cannot but be gratifying to every liberal mind, that the princi- 
 ples advocated by Paine, and which have had so powerful an influ- 
 ence in softening people's minds, and in staying the iron hand of 
 persecution, are every day making fresh inroads on the strong holds 
 of ignorance and superstition. Notwithstanding all the efforts of 
 the priesthood, who, it must be acknowledged, are untiring in their 
 endeavors to plunge the human rnind into a state of darkness the 
 light which the writings of Paine has shed over a bewildered world, 
 affords a rational and well founded expectation, that tyranny, what- 
 ever shape it may assume, is doomed to be swept from the face of 
 the earth. 
 
 To adopt the emphatic language of Ensor, " Philosophy, that 
 much injured name, to which all that is kind, comprehensive, and 
 wise, is to be attributed which assuages the passions of the soul 
 like oil poured on the stormy ocean; philosophy, the medicine of 
 the unfortunate, the glory and ornament of the happy that pure 
 principle which performs good, not from fear of punishment, nor 
 hopes of reward, but from spontaneous love ; philosophy, which 
 pronounces the labors of the husbamlman safe amidst the shock of 
 contending armies, and causes inveterate foes sacredly to respect 
 the ships and missionaries of science ; philosophy, which, over- 
 leaping the boundaries of nations, surveys all mankind as one com- 
 mon family which has done so much, and still pursues intrepidly 
 its illustrious enterprize error and interest, and malice and ambi- 
 tion may impede, but shall never stay its course. The opposing 
 wind frets the surface of the coming tide; but, if moved from its 
 foundations by a more powerful influence, it rolls securely forward 
 to the shores of its destination. "f 
 
 * Vide Appendix No. 4. 
 
 t Ensor's Principles of Morality. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. I. 
 
 All the misrepresentations all the falsehoods that have heen, 
 and are at this moment in circulation respecting the causes of the 
 anarchy and bloodshed that prevailed during the French revolution, 
 are to be traced to Edmund Burke an apostate from liberty- the 
 hired tool of an unprincipled government, whose only hopes of suc- 
 cess depended on corruption and bribery. Of this man this 
 advocate of religion this vilifier of the French revolution history 
 records the following facts : 
 
 During our revolutionary war, he was introduced into the British 
 parliament under the auspices of the whig party; the then leader 
 of which, Earl Fitzwilliam, not only patronized, but supplied Burke 
 with the means of subsistence. At first, he violently opposed the 
 government ; applauded the resistance offered by this country to the 
 tyranny of England ; and openly exulted in our success. 
 
 When Thomas Paine left America for England, he no sooner 
 landed there, than Burke solicited his acquaintance, and became 
 his intimate friend. Sir Richard Phillips, well known as the 
 editor of the London Monthly Magazine, is in possession of a 
 letter of Burke's, in which he expressed the highest gratification at 
 having, the day previous, been "introduced to, and sat down to 
 dinner with the celebrated Thomas Paine, the author of Common 
 Sense." 
 
 In the writings of Mr. Paine it is stated, and never has been de- 
 nied, that his intimacy with Burke continued as long as he remain- 
 ed in England. When the French revolution broke out, Burke 
 espoused the republican cause with the same ardor that he had 
 advocated the rights of this country; and when Mr. Paine visited 
 Paris, to assist in the councils of the revolutionists, he was solicited 
 by this same Burke to furnish him with authentic and early intelli- 
 gence of what was passing, or about to pass, in France assigning 
 as a reason for this solicitation, his attachment to the cause of liber- 
 ty, and his determination, as a public man, to become the apologist 
 of the revolutionists, even in the British parliament. Mr. Paine, 
 relying on the sincerity of his professions, furnished Burke for 
 several months with the information he required. Nor did the for- 
 mer even doubt the fidelity of the latter, until Burke commenced 
 writing against France, and was actually in the pay of Pitt, the 
 British Prime Minister. 
 
 Such, in a few words, is the character of Edmund Burke, on 
 whose statements the priesthood rely, when they ascribe the dis- 
 graceful occurrences of the French revolution to the influence of 
 liberal principles. 
 
17 
 
 NO. II. 
 
 Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a man pecaliarly dear to Irishmen, 
 was the fifth son of the Duke of Leinster, and the idol of his family. 
 He was born in 1763, and at the age of 17 he entered the army. 
 After serving as a Lieutenant in the British army under Lord Raw- 
 don, in the beginning of our revolution, and for some time in the 
 West Indies, in the staff of General O'Hara, Lord Edward returned 
 to Ireland, where he was chosen a member of the parliament of that 
 country. He afterwards made the tour of Spain, and with his regi- 
 ment proceeded to Nova Scotia, where he had for some time the 
 chief command. On his return to England, he was offered the 
 command of an expedition to Cadiz; but he declined on hearing 
 that it was expected he should no longer vote with the opposition 
 in parliament. 
 
 Attracted by the great political drama then acting in France, 
 he proceeded to Paris in 1792 ; from whence he returned to his 
 native land, completely imbued with republicanism. He was one 
 of the very small majority that Irish patriotism at that time afforded; 
 and having, in voting against a congratulatory address to the Lord 
 Lieutenant, expressed himself with great warmth, he incurred the 
 displeasure of the government; but this, so far from discouraging, 
 led him, as a sense of duty, into the ranks of the United Irishmen, 
 of which he became the military head. 
 
 In this character he went to France, where he arranged the inva- 
 sion of Ireland with General Hoche. On the failure of that expedi- 
 tion, treason crept into the ranks of the United Irishmen, which led 
 to the apprehension of some of the leaders ; Lord Edward only 
 escaping at that time from having concealed himself in the houses 
 of his friends. He was traced at last, and when found was reclining 
 in his bed. lie started up, and inflicted a fatal wound with a pistol 
 on one of his assailants, and another he wounded .with a dagger. 
 He was then shot, and secured. But his death in prison, from the 
 wounds he had received, disappointed the wishes of his enemies, 
 who expected to see him expire on the scaffold, as a murderer or a 
 traitor. His wife and friends were refused admittance to him in 
 prison, although his brother was allowed that indulgence when this 
 great patriot was on the eve of expiring. 
 
 Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the intimate friend of Paine, died as 
 he had lived the same kind and affectionate being. His death 
 was lamented long and deeply by his relations, and his memory 
 will ever be revered by the friend's of freedom in every country. 
 
 NO. III. 
 
 Of all the calumnies promulgated against Mr. Paine, that of his 
 having been a " confirmed drunkard," is still most tenaciously 
 adhered to, although the fact of his having, when upwards of 70 
 3 
 
18 
 
 years of age, written, " The third part of the Age of Reason ;" his 
 '* Examination of the Prophecies ;" and, almost every week, con- 
 tributed largely to newspapers and other periodicals, is sufficient 
 to convince any unprejudiced mind of the utter falsehood of the 
 accusation. But as there are some men who are either too malignant 
 ever to do justice to a man whom they have once abused, or too 
 stupid not to perceive that a person who " sotted," must be incapa- 
 ble of conveying by his pen correct ideas to others, we publish the 
 following documents for their special information. If, however, they 
 still feel a gratification in persuading themselves, in despite of these 
 documents, that Mr. Paine was other than he is there represented, it 
 is to be hoped they will have the prudence in future to refrain from 
 obtruding their obnoxious and gratuitous assertions on the notice of 
 the public. 
 
 The first document to which we refer, is a letter of James Cheet- 
 harn, the author of the infamous string of libels, published by him as 
 " the Life of Thomas Paine ;" which Cheetharn addressed to Joel 
 Barlow, at one time Ambassador from this country to France : 
 
 " TO JOEL BARLOW. 
 
 u SIR Not having the honor of a personal acquaintance with 
 you, the trouble this note will occasion, will require some apology, 
 and the only one I can offer regards the subject of it, arid the readi- 
 ness with which your character persuades me you will furnish me 
 the information required, as soon as you have leisure to do so. 
 
 "I am preparing to write the life of Thomas Paine, author of 
 Common Sense, &c. As you were acquainted with him in Paris, 
 and he mentioned you in his * Age of Reason, 1 your opinion of his 
 manners and habits, the company he kept, &c. would be very 
 acceptable. 
 
 " He was a great drunkard hero, and Mr. M*****, a merchant of 
 this city, who lived with him when he was arrested by order of 
 Robespierre, tells me he was intoxicated when that event hap- 
 pened. 
 
 "Did Paine ever take an oath of allegiance to France] In his 
 letter to the French people in 1792, he thanks them for electing him 
 a member of the convention, and for the additional honor of making 
 him a French citizen. In his speech on the trial of the king, he 
 speaks, he says, as a citizen of France. There is some difference 
 between being a member of a convention to make a constitution, 
 and a member of the same body to try the king, and transact other 
 business. I should imagine that in the latter capacities, an oath of 
 allegiance would be necessary. 
 
 "Any other information you would be pleased to communicate, 
 which in your judgment would be useful in illustrating his character, 
 will be gratefully received, and used as you may direct. 
 
 "I am, &c. JAMES CHEETHAM, 
 
 New For*, July 21, 1809." 
 
19 
 
 The following is the answer: 
 
 " TO JAMES CHEETHAM. 
 
 "SiR I have received your letter, calling for information relative 
 to the life of Thomas Paine. It appears to me, that this is not the 
 moment to publish the life of that man in this country. His own 
 writings are his best life, and these are not read at present. 
 
 "The greatest part of the readers in the United States will not be 
 persuaded, as long as their present feelings last, to consider him in 
 any other light than as a drunkard and a deist. The writer of his 
 Jife who should dwell on these topics, to the exclusion of the great 
 and estimable traits of his real character, might indeed please the 
 rabble of the age, who do not know him ; the book might sell ; but 
 it would only tend to render the truth more obscure for the future 
 biographer, than it was before. 
 
 " But if the present writer should give us Thomas Paine complete^ 
 in all his character, as one of the most benevolent and disinterested 
 of mankind, endowed with the clearest perception, an uncommon 
 share of original genius, and the greatest breadth of thought ; if this 
 piece of biography should analyze his literary labors, and raik him, 
 as he ought to be ranked, among the brightest and most undev iating 
 luminaries of the age in which he has lived yet with a mind assail- 
 able by flattery, and receiving through that weak side a tincture of 
 vanity which he was too proud to conceal ; with a mind, though 
 strong enough to bear him up, and to rise elastic under the heaviest 
 hand of oppression, yet unable to endure the contempt of his former 
 friends and fellow laborers, ihe rulers of the country that had 
 received his first and greatest services a mind incapable of looking 
 down with serene compassion, as it ought, on the rude scoffs of 
 their imitators, a new generation that knows him not; a mind that 
 shrinks from their society, and unhappily seeks refuge in low 
 company, or looks for consolation in the sordid, solitary bottle ; till 
 it sinks at last so far below its native elevation, as to lose all respect 
 for itself, and to forfeit that of his best friends, disposing these friends 
 almost to join with his enemies, and wish, though from different 
 motives, that he would hasten to hide himself in the grave if you 
 are disposed and prepared to write his life entire, to fill up the 
 picture to which these hasty strokes of outline give but a rude sketch 
 with great vacuities, your book may be a useful one for another 
 age, but it will not be relished, nor scarcely tolerated in this. 
 
 " The biographer of Thomas Paine should not forget his 
 mathematical acquirements, and his mechanical genius. His 
 invention of the iron bridge, which led him to Europe in the year 
 1787, has procured him a great reputation in that branch of science 
 in France and England, in both which countries his bridge has been 
 adopted in many instances, and is now much in use. 
 
 " You ask whether he took an oath of allegiance to France. 
 Doubtless the qualification to be a member of the convention, 
 required an oath of fidelity to that country, but involved in it no 
 
20 
 
 abjuration of his fidelity to this. He was made a French Citizen by 
 the same decree with Washington, Hamilton, Priestly, and sir 
 James Mackintosh. 
 
 " What Mr. M***** has told you relative to the circumstances of 
 his arrestatiorj hy order of Robespierre, is erroneous, nt least in one 
 point. Paine did not lodge at the house where he was arrested, hut 
 had been dining there with some Americans, of whom Mr. M***** 
 may have been one. I never heard before that Paine was intoxicated 
 that night. Indeed, the officers brought him directly to my house, 
 which was two miles from his lodgings, and about as much from tho 
 place where he had been dining. He was not intoxicated when 
 they came to me. Their object was to get me to go and assist them 
 to examine Paine's papers. It employed us the rest of that night, 
 and the whole of the next day, at Paine's lodgings ; and he was not 
 committed to prison till the next evening. 
 
 " You ask.what company he kept he always frequented the best, 
 Loth in England and France, till he became the object of calumny 
 in certain American papers, (echoes of the English court papers) 
 for his adherence to what he thought the cause of liberty in France 
 till he conceived himself neglected and despised by his former 
 friends in the United States. JFrom that moment he gave himself 
 rery much to drink, and consequently to companions less worthy of 
 his better days.* 
 
 ** It is said he was always a peevish inmate this is possible. So 
 was Laurence Sterne, so was Torqunto Tasso, so was J. J. Rousseau 
 but Thomas Paine, as a visiting acquaintance, and as a literary 
 friend, the only points of view in which I knew him, was one of the 
 most instructive men I have ever known. He had a surprising 
 memory and brilliant fancy ; his mind was a storehouse of facts arid 
 useful observations ; he was full of lively anecdote, and ingenious 
 original pertinent remark, upon almost every subject. 
 
 " He was always charitable to the poor beyond his means, a sure 
 protector and friend to all Americans in distress that he found in 
 foreign countries ; and he had frequent occasions to exert his 
 influence in protecting them during the revolution in France. His 
 writings will answer for his patriotism, and his entire devotion to 
 what he conceived to be the best interests and happiness of mankind. 
 
 ** This, sir, is all I have to remark on the subject you mention 
 now I have only one request to make, and that would doubtless 
 seem impertinent, were you not the editor of a newspaper; it is, 
 that you will not publish my letter, nor permit a copy of it to be 
 taken.t I am, sir, &c. JOEL BARLOW. 
 
 " Kalorama, August n, 1809." 
 
 * It is probable that even Mr. Barlow had been led, by the slanders of Paine's 
 enemies, to believe him more addicted to drinking than he really was ; for the 
 expression "gave himself very much to drink" is not reconcilable with the in- 
 disputable testimony which follows. 
 
 t The correspondence between Cheetham and Joel Barlow first appeared in 
 the *' Theophilanthropist," a periodical published in New York in 1812 ; but the 
 editor does not say how he obtained possession of either of the letters. 
 
21 
 
 The other document to which we have alluded, is extracted from 
 the Correspondent, Vol. I. p. 60. It was printed from the original 
 MS., in the hand writing of Mr. Morton. 
 
 *' A short narrative of the later period of the life of THOMAS PAINE, 
 written by Walter Morton, Esq. of New York, one of his executors. 
 
 " On Mr. Value's return to New York, in 1802, a public dinner 
 was given him at the City Hotel. I being one of the committee of 
 arrangements, who prepared toasts for the occasion, it led me to 
 an acquaintance with that justly celebrated man, which continued 
 without intermission to the day of his death. I visited Mr. Paine 
 several times at his farm at New Rochelle, twenty-one miles from 
 New York, where he resided in pare of 1804 and 1805; after he 
 returned to reside in the city, 1 was in the constant habit of spending 
 t\vo or three evenings with him every week; these visits were 
 generally from seven to eight o'clock in the evening, and 1 usually 
 remained with him till about ten, at which hour he went to bed. 
 We generally drank two small tumblers of rum and water, each 
 containing less than half a gill of rum, reduced to what is commonly 
 called glass proof. We rarely exceeded this ; and sometimes for 
 weeks, and even months, almost in succession, I saw him in bed 
 before my departure, and put out his candle. While in health, he 
 generally rose about seven o'clock in the morning ; he always took 
 a nap for about two hours after dinner. And while at the farm, I 
 ascertained from those who lived in the house, as well as the store 
 keeper who supplied the liquor, that the weekly allowance was 
 limited to a quart, whatever visiters might be called to partake. 
 
 "In the 73d year of his age, and but a few months before his 
 death,* his mental faculties continued strong, firm and vigorous, arid 
 his memory so retentive as to repeat verbatim whole sentences 
 either in prose or verse, of any thing which had previously struck 
 his mind : this he always did with great ease and grace. About six; 
 months before his death, his limbs became so feeble that he could 
 scarcely move through the room : he told me, when alone, that he 
 felt the decay of nature fast increasing, that he might possibly live 
 six or even twelve months, but it could not exceed much beyond 
 that time ; and feared nothing but being reduced to a bedridden 
 state, so as to lie incapable of helping himself. 
 
 " In his religious opinions he continued to the last as steadfast and 
 tenacious as any sectarian to the definition of his own creed. He 
 never indeed broached the subject first ; but to intrusive and inquisi- 
 tive visiters who came to try him on that point, his general answer 
 was to this effect : * My opinions are before the world, and all 
 have had an opportunity to refute them if they can ; I believe them 
 unanswerable truths, and that I have done great service to mankind 
 by boldly putting them forth ; I do not wish to argue upon the subject ; 
 I have labored disinterestedly in the cause of truth.' I shook his hand 
 after the use of speech was gone, but while the other organs told me 
 
 * Mr. Paine died in Ne\r York on the 8th of June, 1509. 
 
22 
 
 sufficiently that he knew me and appreciated my affection, his eyes 
 glistened with genius under the pangs of death." 
 TESTIMONY OF MR. BURGER. 
 
 I, David I. Burger, of the city of New York, being fully satisfied 
 of the nefarious attempts to injure the cause and spread of free en- 
 quiry, by the base practice of vilifying and traducing the characters 
 of its leaders: and being particularly aware of the gross slanders 
 everywhere propagated in relation to the moral character of Thomas 
 Paine, author of the "Age of Reason," hereby certify 
 
 That I became personally acquainted with said Paine in the year 
 1803, who was then residing at New Rochelle, about 20 miles from 
 New York ; that I was then in the employ of Capt. Daniel Pelton, 
 one of Paine's particular friends, so that I had frequent opportunities 
 of witnessing his conduct while there ; that T resided fora number 
 of weeks in the same house with him, and that I slept in the same 
 room with him while he resided at Mr. Staple's, another friend^of 
 his in that place; that I was in the habit of seeing him at all times 
 in the day, and never saw him inebriated ; that during this time I 
 served him with all the liquor that he and those who visited him 
 used, and as it was all charged to him in the books of Capt. Pelton 
 by rne, according to the best of my recollection, I am confident it 
 could not have exceeded one quart per week. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this sixth day 
 of December, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one. 
 
 Signed in the presence of \ D 1V1D I. BURGER. 
 
 GARDNER JONES, f 
 
 NO IV. 
 
 The following passage formed part of the "Oration," as originally 
 written : " Thanks to the framers of the general constitution ; 
 but, in a more especial manner, thanks to the influence of the wri- 
 tings of Paine sufficient protection is now guaranteed to all, not 
 only in the enjoyment, but in the open expression of opinions, whe- 
 ther they relate to religion or politics. It is in virtue of that guaran- 
 tee that we now assemble in this place, to utter and to hear senti- 
 ments delivered, which if attempted to be uttered little more than 
 half a century ago, would have consigned the daring individual to 
 a dungeon, or, probably, to the gallows." 
 
 An opinion having been expressed by some of the Committee of 
 Arrangements, that the general constitution did not afford the 
 " guarantee" above stated, the passage was omitted in the delivery ; 
 and is only here quoted that something further may be elicited on 
 this all important subject. 
 
 In the " Declaration of Rights," which led to the framing of the 
 general constitution, (Art. 12,) it is stated, that "the people have a 
 right to freedom of speech, and of writing and publishing their 
 sentiments ; therefore the freedom of the press ought not to be re- 
 strained." 
 
 In the "Amendments to the General Constitution," (Art. 1,) it 
 
23 
 
 is enacted, that " Congress shall make no law respecting the esta- 
 blishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 
 abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." 
 
 The writer of this is of opinion that those two articles are suffi- 
 cient to support the affirmative, of the question. And he is con- 
 firmed in this opinion, when he finds that Jefierson, who drew up- 
 the " Declaration of Rights," entertained the same enlarged view 
 of the subject. " The legitimate powers of government," says 
 Jefferson, " reach actions only, and not opinions. I contemplate 
 with sovereign reverence the act of the whole American people, 
 which declared that their legislature should ' make no law respecting 
 an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there- 
 of:' thus building a wall of separation between church and state." 
 
 But I am further borne out in the opinion for which I am con- 
 tending, by the unanimous concurrence which the Senate of the 
 United States gave to the invaluable "Report" of Colonel Johnson 
 on the transportation of the Mail on Sunday, and which has been 
 correctly designated a clear exposition of, or commentary on, the 
 " Declaration of Rights," in as far as regards the rights of con- 
 science. In that " Report" it is stated " Our government is a 
 civil) and not a religious institution. Our constitution recognises 
 in every person the right to choose his own religion, and to enjoy it 
 freely i without molestation Among all the religious perse- 
 cutions with which almost every page of modern history is stained, 
 no victim ever suffered but for the violation of what government de- 
 nominated the laws of God. To prevent a similar train of evils in 
 this country, the constitution has wisely withheld from our govern- 
 ment the power of defining the divine law. It is a right reserved to 
 each citizen; and while he respects the equal rights of others, he 
 cannot be held answerable to any tribunal for his conclusions" 
 
 The House of Representatives also adopted a " Report" contain- 
 ing a similar declaration as to the rights of conscience : and both 
 these Reports have been approved of by upwards of nine tenths of 
 the population of the United States. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE WILL OF THOMAS PAINE, IN RELATION 
 
 TO MRS. BONNEVILLE. 
 
 "I give and bequeath to my executors hereinafter appointed, 
 Walter Morton and Thomas Addis Emmet* thirty shares I hold in 
 the New York Phenix Insurance Company, which cost me fourteen 
 hundred and seventy dollars ; they are worth now upwards of fifteen 
 hundred dollars; and all my moveable effects, and also the money 
 that may be in my trunk or elsewhere at the time of my decease, 
 paying thereout the expenses of my funeral, IN TRUST, as to the 
 said snares, moveables, and money, for Margaret Brazier Bonne- 
 ville, of Paris, for her own sole and separate use, at her own dispo- 
 sal, notwithstanding her coverture." 
 
 (Signed) THOMAS PAINE. 
 
BIRTHDAY OF THOMAS PAINE. 
 
 An Account of tJie Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the 
 .Birthday of Thomas Paine, by the friends and admirers of his 
 writings. 
 
 [From the New York Daily Sentinel, of February 2.] 
 
 On Sunday last, Dec. 29th, the Anniversary of the birthday of 
 the AUTHOR of the " RIGHTS OF MAN," and the " AGE OF REASON," 
 an ADDRESS in commemoration of the event was delivered to a 
 crowded audience in Tammany Hall, by John Morrison, arid on 
 Monday the event was celebrated by a Public Dinner arid by a Ball 
 at the same place. This was the Eighth Public Celebration of 
 Paine's Birthday in New York, and the company present was much 
 more numerous than on any former occasion. More than one hun- 
 dred gentlemen sat down to the Dinner, and about four hundred 
 ladies and gentlemen were present at the Ball, which was under the 
 direction of Mr. Parker. At the Dinner, Mr. MORRISON presided, 
 and Messrs. DITCHETT and OFFEN acted as Vice Presidents. 
 
 After the removal of the cloth, the first of the regular toasts, which 
 follow, was preceded by some appropriate remarks by the President. 
 TOASTS OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 
 
 1. THOMAS PAINE We meet to respect his memory and extend his prin- 
 ciples. [Air (by the band) German Hymn. Original Song Hail, hail the day.] 
 
 SONG HAIL, HAIL, THE DAY. AIR Hail to the Chief. 
 
 WRITTEN FOR THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTHDAY OF THOMAS PAINE. 
 How blest are the moments that o'er us are fleeting ! 
 
 We hail them with rapture again and ag.iin : 
 For oh, while they fly, they are sweetly repeating 
 The era so bright that g : ive birth to a Paine. 
 Then was the mortal da r t 
 Formed for the tyrant's heart, 
 All his vile :irt cannot turn it away. 
 Shout, then, ye brave and free, 
 Sounds breathifg liberty 
 Shout, then, ye brave and free, Hail, hail the Day. 
 
 Long has deception declared from her allar 
 
 'J iMt Deity frowns on ihe s ave who'd repine, 
 And fain would she yet give the stake or the rulter 
 To all who dare doubt that a King is divine. 
 
 But all th^se arts are vain, 
 
 Man scorns the fiendish train, 
 Truth, Reason, and Justice alone he'll obey. 
 
 Oh, 'twas immortal Paine, 
 
 Taugh' mm 10 break the chain 
 Shout, then, ye brave and free, Hail, hail the Day. 
 
 When dark superstition, MO longer oppressing, 
 
 Shall sink in the frown of all mankind's disdain, 
 Then all the wrongs he has done him confessing, 
 Man shall for ever be grateful to Paine. 
 
 Then shall plain "Common Sense" 
 
 Meet with due reverence, 
 The rights of all mankind o'er earth hold the sway , 
 
 And as this day comes round, 
 
 O how each heart shall bound 
 O how each voice shall sound, Hail, hail the Day. 
 
25 
 
 2. Common Sense Its characteristics are Truth, Justice, Fidelity, and Hu- 
 manity. [Air Kinloch of Kinloch.] 
 
 3. The Crisis The time which tried men's souls. [Air Yankee Doodle. 
 Song The Presbyterian Cat by Mr. Lawton.] 
 
 4. The Rights of Man In pursuit of these, may we be as steady as Time and 
 relentless as the Grave. [Air Marseilles Hymn. Song God save the Rights 
 of Man by Mr. Morrison.] 
 
 5. The Age of Reason May its principles, like another sun, penetrate the 
 dark clouds of Superstition, and illuminate the habitable globe. [Air Tyrolese 
 Song of Liberty. Song Will you hear Reason's voice? by Mr. Burton.] 
 
 REASON'S VOICE. Am Will you come to the bower. 
 Will you hear Reason's voice, simple, cogfnt, and true? 
 'Tis mankind's dearest interest we here bring to view : 
 
 Will you, will you, will you, will you hear Reason's voice ? 
 Will you, will you, will you, will you hear Reason's voice ? 
 Education in errors, with coercive powers, 
 Has for ceul'ries erabitter'd man's juvenile hours. 
 
 Will you, will you, &c. 
 
 Like the tyrants who form'd them, each system pursu'd, 
 is on selfishness founded, with terrors imbued ! 
 
 NVill you, will you, &c. 
 
 Would you rear a Republic in essence and truth, 
 Train each citizen equal from earliest youth. 
 
 Will you, will you, &c. 
 
 Yet let Woman share equally wisdom's bright zone, 
 She of Man's mental fame lays the foundation stone. 
 
 Will you, will you, &c. 
 
 But while " High Schools" and Colleges "learn on the sight, 
 Aristocracy insults each Freeman's jti-u riglit ! 
 
 Will you, will you, &c. 
 
 6. The Press The brightest of all luminaries, it nurtures and animates our 
 intellectual faculties. [March. Recitation The Feds by Mr. Walter Morton.] 
 
 THE FEDS. (By Thomas Paine.) 
 
 TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
 I send you, Sir, a tale about some Feds, 
 
 Who, in their wisdom, went to loggerheads ; 
 
 The case was this they felt so flat and sunk, 
 
 They took a glass together, and got drunk : 
 
 Such things, you know, are neither new nor rare, 
 
 For men will hang themsehcs when in despair. 
 
 It was the natal day of Washington, 
 
 And that they thought a famous day for fun 
 
 For with the learned world 'tis 'greed 
 
 The better day, the better deed. 
 
 They top'd away, and as the glass went round, 
 
 They grew in point of wisdom more profound ; 
 
 For at the bottom of the bottle lies 
 
 That kind of sense we overlook when wise. 
 
 Come, here's a toast, cries one, with roar immense, 
 
 " May none know pleasure who love * Common Sense.'" 
 
 Bravo ! cried some ; No, no, some others cried j 
 
 But left it to the waiter to decide. 
 
 I think, said he, the case would be more plain, 
 
 To leave out " Common Sense," and put in " Paine." 
 
 On this, a noise arose among 
 
 The sunken, drunken, brawling throng ; 
 
 Some said that Common Sense was all a curse, 
 
 That making people wiser made them worse ; 
 
 It learnt them to be careful of their purse, 
 
 And not be laid about like babes at nurse, 
 
26 
 
 Nor yet believe in stories upon trust, 
 
 Which all mankind, to be well governed, must ; 
 
 And that the toast was better at the first, 
 
 And he that did not think so, might be curst ! 
 
 So on they went, till such a fray arose, 
 
 As all who know what Feds are may suppose. 
 
 7. Truth It requires not the garnish of poetry, nor the tinselled trappings of 
 eloquence, to convince mankind that it is the only safe guide to happiness. [Air 
 Sweet home. Song There's nothing like Truth by Mr. Morrison.] 
 
 8. Science The partizan of no country the beneficent patron of all. [March.] 
 
 9. Civil and Religious Liberty Vast as the universe free as the air and 
 generous as the light. [Air Bruce's Address. Song Tyrolese Song of Liber- 
 ty by Mr. Burton.] 
 
 10. Philosophy The powerful lever by which man has raised himself above 
 the level of the brute, and dignified his character by increasing his powers of 
 usefulness. [Air Speed the Plough.] 
 
 11. Education May it be as universal as it is beneficial to man. [Air Bon- 
 ny Boat. Song Education forms the Man by Mr. Burton.] 
 
 EDUCATION FORMS THE MAN. AIR Jluld Lang Syne. 
 
 Since none his destiny can rule, > Had Judges be^n like Convicts rear'd, 
 
 From infancy to man ; ) And Criminals like Court; 
 
 *Tis ours to search for wisdom's school, r Exchange of place had then appear'd 
 
 His infant powers to scan. / For Jurymen's report ! 
 Chorus We're all born equal, friends We're all born equal, &c. 
 
 We're ail horn free ; Since woman ' s nurture rears the child, 
 
 'Tis Education forms the man, 
 
 What e'er he be! 
 
 Should vice and poverty surround 
 The child, with noisome strife ; 
 Deprav'd and poor he still is found, 
 In mind and mien through life. 
 
 We're all born equal, &c. 
 If wealth and power be his lot, 
 
 How truly great should be 
 Her reas'ning powers how firm, yet inild, 
 
 To raise the mental tree ! 
 
 We're all born equal, &c. 
 Since, then, we're equal born, 'tis clear, 
 
 Still equal to remain, 
 Monopoly of Wisdom ne'er 
 
 Should our Republic stain ! 
 
 And menials round him wait ; ^ We're all born equal, friends, 
 
 The infant lord is ne'er forgot, / We're all born free ! 
 
 Whatc'er his man's estate ! Then Equal Education claim, 
 
 We're all born equal, &c. f Whoe'er you he ! 
 
 12. Nature's Code The standard of truth: [Air Ye Bank and Braes.] 
 
 13. Superstition May the edifices erected to perpetuate this source of delu~ 
 sion, bigotry, falsehood, and oppression, speedily become the temples of science, 
 reason, and philosophy. [Air Away with Melancholy. Recitation by Mr.. 
 Burton.] 
 
 STEPHEN GIRARD'S WILL. 
 
 Rejoice, ye lovers of the human race ; 
 And all true liberals, eager in the chase 
 For man's reform ; rejoice, our cause improves, 
 The march of mind accelerated moves ! 
 GIRARD'S good WILL for Liberal Education 
 " Has (it is said) electrified the nation." 
 The Clergy feel it too, with trembling frown, 
 The shock is strong enough to knock them down! 
 
 Shall Free Enquirers not their paeans raise, 
 And sing, with joy, the good old Frenchman's praise ? 
 'Tis " peace on earth ; GOOD WILL to all mankind," 
 As we, and hosts of Orphan Boys shall find ! 
 
 Hail ! Knowledge, hail ! my very heart rebound* 
 With joy extatic, at the glorious sounds. 
 Two millions will'd, a College to erect 
 For WISDOM ; free from priestly creed or sect ! 
 With gifts most amply to endow the same,. 
 A firm memento of his deathless name. 
 
27 
 
 The first of Colleges, whose wholesome rul 
 Forbid to rear dogmatic slaves and fools ! 
 For what are men but mental slaves in deed, 
 From infancy coerced in faith or creed ? 
 True liberty of conscience there shall reign, 
 Though sought, in ev'ry school, elsewhere, in vain j 
 And " facts and things, instead of words and signs," 
 Shall form the mind, as reas'ning truth inclines. 
 
 If, after such an education gain'd, 
 Wild speculations prove a youth hair-brain'd, 
 And he for visionary worlds should mope, 
 His conscience, then, may have the freest scope ; 
 But, take my word, youth trained in solid facts 
 Till o'er sixteen, play few priest-ridden acts ! 
 
 Yet one reflection, still, my joy abates, 
 O, where shall youth so train'd find equal mates ? 
 Had good GIRARD bid Female Orphans share 
 The kind protection of his gen'rous care, 
 How many Fair had shunn'd each deadly shaft 
 Of foul seduction, or of priestly craft! 
 
 " The mother forms the citizen, in youth," 
 Said Doctor Mitchell, once ; and was't not truth? 
 And if our wives are slaves, 'tis clear to see, 
 We scarce can hope to rear our children free. 
 
 Yet, 0, 'tis joyful ! such example bright, 
 Securely stands, a beacon, spreading light 
 O'er all the land, from whence, ere long shall spread 
 The fall of creeds, and superstitions dread ! 
 Methinks I see each clerical Paul Pry 
 Sneaking and peeping, with a jealous eye; 
 While rear'd the Avails of this majestic pile, 
 For ever clos'd to priestly plot and wile ! 
 Ay ! even " as visitors," so runs the exclusion, 
 To guard its happy inmates from delusion ! 
 
 14. The Union Consecrated by the blood of our fathers, and endeared to 
 tis by innumerable blessings. [Air Hail Columbia. Song Star Spangled 
 Banner.] 
 
 15. The memory of all men, in every age and country, who have fearlessly 
 advocated the principles of political and mental liberty. *[Air Auld Lang Syne. 
 Recitation Death of Gen Wolfe by Mr. Morton.] 
 
 16. Ecclesiastical and Civil Tyranny May the efforts, now making by our 
 brethren in Europe, to emancipate themselves from these foes of human happi- 
 ness, be pre-eminently successful. [Air March to the Battle Field. Song 
 Freedom of the Press by Mr. Burton.] 
 
 17. The Republicans of every Country May they ere long shake hands over 
 the grave of the last tyrant. {Air Star Spangled Banner. Song Let us 
 Enquire by Mr. Burton.] 
 
 LET US ENQUIRE! 
 
 Ye friends of Liberty, 
 Join heart and voice with me- 
 Let us Enquire. 
 Why, to this very day, 
 Bears man o'er man rude sway ? 
 
 Tyrants and priests in dread, 
 (By fear and folly fed,) 
 Already hang the head, 
 
 When men Enquire. 
 Reason her seat shall claim, 
 
 Oh ! 'tis they dare not say, No i on g er merely name, 
 
 Let us Enquire. While we Enquire. 
 
 Yet man shall soon confess, ) Science and truth shall stand, 
 
 While Freedom guides the press, ' United, hand in hand, 
 
 All may Enquire. J Sounding through all the land 
 
 f Lei us Enquire ! 
 
28 
 
 18. Universal Philanthrophy May no private bias, or selfish motive, prevent 
 tis from promoting it. [Air Life let us Cherish. Song by Mr. Lawton.] 
 
 ORIGINAL SONG. 
 
 Am All the Blue Bonnets are over the Border. 
 March, march, friends of great THOMAS PAINE, 
 Forward, and march to the feast in good order ; 
 Sound, sound, sound forth his mighty name ; 
 Hail his Birthday on Columbia's border. 
 Let your united voice 
 Prove to the world your choice ; 
 Freedom and virtue the theme of each story : 
 Let all unite and sing, 
 Death to each despot king, 
 
 Downfal to priests, to their wealth and their glory. 
 March, march, &c. 
 
 Come from the valley, the plain, and the mountain, 
 
 On, Freemen, on, to the feast come away ; 
 Drink of the waters from Reason's pure fountain, 
 On, Freemen, on, to the feast then away ! 
 Mirth and delight you'll find, 
 Wisdom with truth combined, 
 Bliss of the purest kind, friendship and order, 
 Shall wave their magic wand 
 Far over sea and land, 
 
 Till base oppression shrinks from each border. 
 March, march, &c. 
 
 Hail, hail, hail to to the brave and free, 
 
 Hail to the Birthday of Freedom's defender ; 
 Long, long, long, PAINE, thy name shall be 
 Blended with Freedom, exalted in splendor. 
 Long shall Columbia be 
 Home of the brave and free, 
 The pride of the world shall story record her j 
 While after times shall say, 
 PAINE, 'twas thy natal day 
 Shed freedom and light far, far o'er each border. 
 March, march, &c. 
 
 19. The People The source of all political power. May they be sufficiently 
 enlightened to exerise that power. [Air All the Blue Bonnets. Song by Mr. 
 Stevenson.] 
 
 20. The Fair May they soon enjoy equal rights and equal privileges with 
 man. [Air Green grow the Rushes. Recitation What is Love? by Mr, 
 Morton.] 
 
 WHAT IS LOVE? (BY PAINE.) 
 
 'Tis that delightsome transport we can feel 
 Which painters cannot paint, nor words reveal, 
 Nor any art we know of, can conceal. 
 Can'stthou describe the sunbeams to the blind? 
 Or make him feel a shadow with his mind ? 
 So neither can we by description show 
 This first of all felicities below ; 
 When happy love pours magic o'er the soul, 
 And all our thoughts in sweet delirium roll, 
 When contemplation spreads her rainbow wings, 
 And every flutter some new rapture brings, 
 How sweetly then our moments glide away, 
 And dreams renew the transports of the day. 
 We live in extacy to all things kind, 
 For love can teach a moral to the mind. 
 
20 
 
 6ut are there not some other things that prore 
 What is the wonder of the soul called love ? 
 Oh yes ! there are, but of a different kind, 
 The dreadful horrors of a tortured mind, 
 Some jealous fiend throws his poisoned dart, 
 And rends in pieces the distracted heart. 
 When love's a tyrant, and the soul a slave, 
 No hope remains for thought, but in the grave ; 
 In that dark den, it sees an end to grief, 
 And what was once its dread, becomes relief. 
 What are the iron chains that hands have wrought? 
 The hardest chain to break is made of thought. 
 Think well on this, ye lovers, and be kind, 
 Nor play with torture on a tortured mind. 
 
 VOLUNTEER TOASTS. 
 
 By the President. Col. Richard J\l. Johnson The bold and fearless advocate 
 nnd defender of civil and religious liberty. His Sunday Mail Reports entitle him 
 to the gratitude of every Republican and lover of practical liberal princfples. 
 
 B. J. Ditchett, 1st Vice President. The Striped and Star Spangled Banner of 
 ^America Blended in union and peace with the flags of nations, may it be honored 
 on entering every foreign port. 
 
 By Mr. Often, 2d Vice President. Candor and Moral Courage Two indis- 
 pensible jngredients in every advocate of free enquiry. 
 
 By a Guest. Knowledge Where reason is left free to combat error, religious 
 faith in revelations, miracles, and witchcraft, must give place to rational systems 
 of ethics, founded on the nature and the condition of man. 
 
 By Walter Morton. Prejudice " The spider of the mind." Alas ! the web 
 which it has wove conceals from the view those rare and bright qualities which 
 adorned the character of Paine. 
 
 By Gibbs Sibley. Thomas Paine The first man who had the moral courage 
 to teach the American people their religious and political rights to disturb the 
 hornet's nest of kings and priests, creed mongers and bigots, fanatics and fools. 
 
 By John Lawton. Richard Car/tie, and the Rev. Robert Taylor, of England 
 Persecuted advocates of free discussion. May success crown their efforts by a 
 
 redy abolishment of those impositions which have so long been practised upon 
 credulity of mankind. 
 
 By J. Wells. Thomas Paints Jlge of Reason Christians read it ; it will con- 
 vince you of the impositions of priestcraft. 
 
 By a Guest. The tree of Liberty May it be surrounded by the beautiful plants 
 of Reason and Knowledge, and may the poisonous weeds of priestcraft and 
 superstition be pulled up by the roots. 
 
 By John Lawton. Our Public Highways May the unconstitutional practice 
 of obstructing them for superstitious observances every seventh day, be speedily 
 abolished, as a daring encroachment upon our RIGHTS and LIBERTIES. 
 
 By a Guest. Sinful Jlcis When man shall know his true predicament in 
 nature, he will no longer depend upon prayers and vicarious sufferings for the 
 atonement of errors which he alone can rectify. 
 
 By George H. Evans. Col. Richard Jtf. Johnson, of Kentucky The man who 
 successfully defended the Citadel of Equal Rights against the first attack of the 
 Legions of Priestcraft. A free people are preparing his reward. 
 
 By a Guest. The Will of the late Stephen Girard The talisman to unrivet 
 the chains prepared for millions yet unborn. 
 
 Sent by a lady. Clinton May that name remain immortal as the magnificent 
 statue of Causichi. 
 
 By John Lawton. The brave but unfortunate Poles May a just and speedy 
 retribution overtake their base oppressors. 
 
 By a G uest Religion Belief in unintelligible dogmas, about which mankind 
 have been cutting each other's throats from the earliest period of recorded time. 
 May the word be erased from all languages, and morals substituted in its place. 
 
 By T. L. Waddell. Martin Van BurenA. citizen of New-York. 
 
30 
 
 By Mr. Offen. The memory of the late Walter Morton The faithful fviend, 
 and executor of the Will of Thomas Paine, who closed Paine's eyes in death. 
 
 After the above toast was drank, Walter Morton, son of the 
 deceased, rose and made the following reply, in an eloquent and 
 impressive manner : 
 
 Mr. Chairman Permit me, Sir, to return my heartfelt thanks for this mark 
 t)f respect paid to the memory of my deceased father. It is with much pleasure 
 that I behold this numerous and respectable assemblage, met for the purpose 
 of paying a tribute of respect to the memory of departed worth and greatness. 
 A kindly remembrance of the dead, of those who have, in this worldly career, 
 shared our affections, who have mingled with our joys and participated in our 
 sorrows, is at all times a pleasing task ; but to the memory of those like the im- 
 mortal Paine, whose whole life was devoted to the welfare and improvement of 
 the human race, and the evidence of whose usefulness we now see, in the rapid 
 extension of free and liberal principles, we recur with gratitude as well as plea- 
 sure. Who can peruse, with a prejudiced eye, his political writings, which 
 made their appearance at the dawn of the revolution in this country, when we 
 were under the subjection of a foreign and tyrannical power, groaning with the 
 burden of taxation and oppression, and which had such a thrilling effect upon 
 the minds of the people at that period ? Compare the then situation of our 
 country with what you now behold it; look around and about you, glory and 
 prosperity attend us, peace and contentment smile about every dwelling ; and 
 when we reflect that it was the genius of Paine that was mainly instrumental 
 in laying the foundation of our liberties, can we but feel our bosoms throb 
 with admiration for his talents, and with gratitude for his invaluable services, 
 while we must feel them thrill with indignation towards those who heap abuse 
 upon his memory. Yes, there are Jlmericans, to their shame be it said, who look 
 upon you with disdain, if you lisp in terms of praise the name of Paine, merely 
 because he had the independence to give to the world his opinions upon theology. 
 Is it natural to suppose that a mighty mind like that of Paine, could be confined 
 to the narrow limits of a prison house, and restrained from giving his views 
 upon any subject ? 
 
 Mr. Chairman It is now twenty-three years since the man whose birth we 
 are now celebrating, was returned unto the earth from which he sprang, and 
 gathered to his fathers ; and yet there are those who would wish to hide his 
 talents and his fame in that grave where repose his ashes. Let it be our duty, 
 Sir, to protect his memory and his name, from the foul breath of calumny and 
 aspersion, whatever may have been his errors, (and who will deny that he had 
 errors ? for he was but human nature ; and where can you point to it and find it 
 freed from failings. But with Paine, I am inclined to the belief, " that even hia 
 failings leaned to virtue's side,") bury them in oblivion, cover them with the 
 mantle of charity, of which Christians so much boast of being the possessors. 
 But his merits. and his virtues, hide not them; let them be raised above the 
 tomb, and shine in that bright and conspicuous lustre which should ever attend 
 them. 
 
 By R. D. Letter. Jlbner Kneeland The worthy and honest Editor of the Bos- 
 ton Investigator, and able advocate of the rights of man. 
 
 By David I. Burger. Robert Dale Owen, Editor of the Free Enquirer The 
 amiable advocate of Free Enquiry, may his labors be as successful as his talents 
 are conspicuous. 
 
 By J. W. Mitchell. The Daily Sentinel and Working Man's Advocate The 
 " faithful" guardians of the people's rights, and the " fearless" contemners of 
 every principle that tends to a country's ruin May their conductors, though 
 unable to command success, ever continue to deserve it. 
 
 By a Guest. The Memory of Thomas Paine May those who calumniate him, 
 while living in the enjoyment; of benefits which his efforts eminently contributed 
 to attain, feel remorse and shame for their ingratitude. 
 
 By George Adams. May the wings of Liberty overspread the world, and th 
 down fall in our city. 
 
31 
 
 Sent by a Lady. The memory of the immortal Thomat Paine The author of the 
 Rights of Man, and the Age of Reason. 
 
 By G. Vale. Mr. Paine as he was His opponents as they ought to be, asha- 
 med of themselves. 
 
 By H. C. Spicer. The fair Daughters of America who make " home, sweet 
 home," the paradise yet left to man. 
 
 By T. Thompson. The Memory of Stephen Girard The friend of the orphan, 
 and the enemy of priestly influence. 
 
 By C. Burton. Miss Frances Wright The most intelligent woman of the age. 
 
 By John Morrison. Lord Brougham The noble advocate of political and 
 religious liberty in Great Britain. 
 
 By George H. Evans. Thomas Hcrttell The able advocate of civil and reli- 
 gious liberty in the United States. 
 
 By T. Thompson. Dr. Cooper, President of Columbia College, S. C. The 
 learned and able, but persecuted defender of religious and civil liberty. 
 
 By a Guest. Gen. La Fayette The undeviating Patriot and liberal Republi- 
 can ; may he live to see his beloved country enjoying the fruits of his arduous 
 services a Republican form of government, peace and happiness. 
 
 By a Guest. Thomas Paine The benefactor of mankind 
 His works remain the greatest pain 
 To priests, who would our minds enchain. 
 
 By a Guest. The Church and State parly May it be scattered to the four 
 winds. 
 
 By E. Tallmadge. Science May it spread through the world, and uproot 
 every fable that has cursed the earth. 
 
 By B. Gillen. His Satanic Majesty, who goes through the earth like a roaring; 
 lion May Common Sense soon send him to a quarter with his old acquain- 
 tances, the witches of Salem. 
 
 By W. Davies. The Health of Mr. Win. Cobbett, the ovowed pupil of Thomas 
 Paine The most powerful political writer since his instructor's death. 
 
 By a Guest. America May the political clouds of despotism which darken 
 Europe, never tarnish the sunlight of freedom which illuminates thee. 
 
 The following toast, and the paragraph, from a late English 
 paper, which accompanies it, were handed to the President, and 
 read by him from the chair during the evening. 
 
 Public Opinion Ever varying : may all* its variations be founded on intelli- 
 gence and justice. 
 
 * Change of Public Opinion. On the 13th of February, 1792, the effigy of 
 Paine, after being shown about the streets, was attended by two sweeps, one 
 bearing " The Rights of Man," and the other " The Age of Reason." A gallows 
 was erected on Gosta Green, where, after hanging the usual time, he was com- 
 mitted to the flames, and the two books with him. On Saturday last, what was 
 our surprise on beholding, on the very same spot, one of the Fathers in God, 
 who so lately voted for a continuance of bribery, perjury, drunkenness, and 
 crimes of all sorts, hanging on a gallows twelve feet high, with a label, on which 
 was written, " Behold him ! one of the unholy conclave of 21, who, while they 
 are living on the public plunder, are the stern opposers of the liberty of the 
 people." After hanging the usual time that culprits hang, he was committed to 
 the flames, as an example to evil doers. Birmingham Representative. 
 
 The following effusion was delivered by Mr. Offen, in the course 
 of the evening, introduced by the following remark: " Mr. Presi- 
 dent, as it is not uncommon now-a-days for coblers to turn poets, 
 I will, with your permission, give you the result of some reflections 
 that have presented themselves to my mind since the toast, ' Com- 
 mon Sense 1 was drank." 
 
When freedom first her standard rais'd on fair Columbia's shore, 
 Her sons march'd forth to meet the foe, amid the cannon's roar ! 
 The foe they fought like heroes brave, nor did they miss their aim, 
 For every shot was aided by the " Common Sense" of Paine. * 
 
 What vict'ries did those heroes gain, for nought could make them yield, 
 Till British blood in torrents flow'd, and drenched the tented field ; 
 For liberty they fought and bled, no force could them dismay, 
 So British pride was soon put down, and with it British sway, 
 
 But faithful hist'ry doth record those deeds of glory won, 
 And nations yet unborn shall bless the name of Washington : 
 Americans, a boon I ask, let me not ask in vain, 
 Give not your laurels all away, but save one sprig for Paine. 
 
 Many volunteer toasts and sentiments were given during the 
 evening which were not reduced to writing, and which consequent- 
 ly are unrecorded. The whole were accompanied, at intervals, hy 
 choice songs and recitations. After the company left the table, 
 two of the gentlemen who had partaken of the repast, entertained 
 the guests, as well as the company in the Ball Room, with an ex- 
 hibition of correct portraits of Paine, Washington, Jefferson, 
 Franklin, &c., by the aid of the magic lantern. The whole evening 
 was spent by the assembled multitude in uninterrupted hilarity and 
 enjoyment, and no doubt with benefit to the cause of truth and 
 liberal principles. 
 
 XX5ERAL WORKS 
 
 For sale by George H. Evans, No. 1 Mott Street, and by John 
 Morrison, No. 135 Chatham Street, New York. 
 
 The Bible of Reason, Part I., 
 or Scriptures of Ancient 
 Authors, $0 75 
 
 The Bible of Reason, Part 
 II., or Scriptures of Mo- 
 dern Authors, 1 00 
 
 The Bible of Reason, Parts I. 
 and II. By B. F. Powell, 1 50 
 
 Discussion on the Existence 
 of God and the Authenti- 
 city of the Bible, between 
 Origen Bacheler and Ro- 
 bert Dale Owen, 2 vols., 1 25 
 
 Vice Unmasked; An Essay 
 on the Influence of Wealth, 75 
 
 The Philosophical Dictiona- 
 ry of M. De Voltaire, 75 
 
 Volney's Ruins, 75 
 
 The Age of Reason, by Tho- 
 mas Paine, 8vo. 56 cents, 
 ISmo. 38 
 
 Popular Tracts ; edited by 
 Robert Dale Owen ; the 
 series complete in one vo- 
 lume, 200 pages, 44 
 
 Ecce Homo ! or a Critical 
 Enquiry into the History 
 of Jesus of Nazareth, 1 00 
 The Elements of Modern 
 Materialism. By Charles 
 Knowlton, M. D. 1 25 
 
 A Review of the Evidences 
 of Christianity. By Ab- 
 ner Kneeland, 50 
 
 The Demurrer. By Thomas 
 
 Herttell, 50 
 
 The People's Rights Reclaim- 
 ed. By Thomas Herttell, 25 
 Good Sense. By Mirabeau, 50 
 Moral Physiology. By R. 
 
 D. Owen, 38 
 
 A Few Days in Athens, 38 
 
 Frances Wright's Lectures, 50 
 Queen Mab. By Shelley, 38 
 Palmer's Principles of Na- 
 ture, 75 
 Spiritual Mustard Pot, 50 
 View of the Public Discus- 
 sion between Owen and 
 Campbell. 56 
 
 Also, a variety of other liberal Books, Pamphlets, and Tracts, including an 
 assortment of the London publications of Richard Carlile. 
 
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