The Age of Paine America was not called into being by plantation
owners or generals. It was Tom Paine, ink-stained wretch and
citizen of the world, who first roused patriots with his
unapologetic declaration that "the sun never shined on a cause
of greater worth" than the revolt of thirteen small colonies
against the mighty British Empire. None of the American
revolutionaries--not Washington, not Jefferson, not Madison and
surely not the cautious John Adams--understood as well what was
at stake. This was no tea party, counseled Paine, who died 200
years ago on June 8, 1809. This was the fight "to begin the
world over again." With pamphlets that forged the intellectual
and emotional framework for a glorious treason--Common Sense and
the American Crisis series--Paine inspired open revolt against
monarchy, imperialism and the churchmen who defended these
corruptions. But even this was insufficient rebellion. The
pamphleteer's demand that the new nation fulfill the promises of
the Enlightenment led Adams to fear