THE AMERICAN CRISIS

"He that would sell his Birthright for a little salt, is as worthless as he who sold it for 'porridge' without salt. And he that would part with it for a gay coat, or a plain coat, ought forever be a slave in the buff.... "In publishing these remarks I have several objects in view: On your part they are, to expose the folly of your pretended authority as Commissioner; the wickedness of your cause in general; and the impossibility of your conquering us at any rate. On the part of the public my meaning is, to show them their true and solid interest; to encourage them to their own good, to remove fears and falsities which bad men had spread and weak men had encouraged; and to excite in all men a love for union, and a cheerfulness for duty." P. 111-112, "The American Crisis II," THOMAS PAINE (1955, 1984)