The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. Arms, as the last resource, decide this contest the appeal was the choice of the king, and the continent hath accepted the challenge. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed.

Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense and have no other Preliminaries to settle with the reader, than that he will divest himself of prejudice and prepossession, and suffer his reason and his feelings to determine for themselves that he will put on, or rather that he will not put off the true character of a man, and generously enlarge his views beyond the present day. Today's excerpt comes from the section 'Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs.' Excerpt This approach that made it wildly popular upon its publication and helped cement its enduring impact. Paine presented his arguments in plain language that made political discussion accessible to colonists of all walks of life. Written by Paine less than two years after he emigrated to Philadelphia from England, Common Sense outlined the need for American independence. This month marks the 239th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet Common Sense.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine