eties, salvos of
artillery, a Nation in mourning, and, above all, a splendid monument
covered with lies. He choose rather to benefit mankind. At that time
the seeds sown by the great infidels were beginning to bear fruit in
France. The eighteenth century was crowning its gray hairs with the
wreath of progress.

On every hand science was bearing testimony against the church.
Voltaire had filled Europe with light. D'Holbach was giving to the
elite of Paris the principles contained in his "System of Nature." The
encyclopaedists had attacked superstition with information for the
masses. The foundation of things began to be examined. A few had the
courage to keep their shoes on and let the bush burn. Miracles began
to get scarce. Everywhere the people began to inquire. America had
set an example to the world. The word liberty was in the mouths of
men, and they began to wipe the dust from their superstitious knees.
The dawn of a new day had appeared. Thomas Paine went to France.
Into the new movement he threw all his energies. His fame had gone
before him, and he was welcomed as a friend of the human race and as a
champion of free government.

He had never relinquished his intention of pointing out to his
countrymen the defects, absurdities, and abuse of the English
government. For this purpose; he composed and published his greatest
political work. "The Rights of Man." This work should be read by every
man and woman. It is concise, accurate, rational, convincing, and
unanswerable. It shows great thought, an intimate knowledge of the
various forms of government, deep insight into the very springs of
human action, and a courage that compels respect and admiration. The
most difficult political problems are solved in a few sentences. The
venerable arguments in favor of wrong are refuted with a
question--answered with a word. For forcible illustration, apt
comparison, accuracy and clearness of statement, and absolute
thoroughness, it has never been excelled.

The fears of the administration were aroused, and Paine was prosecuted
for libel, and found guilty; and yet there is not a sentiment in the
entire work that will not challenge the admiration of every civilized
man. It is a magazine of political wisdom, an arsenal of ideas, and an
honor not only to Thomas Paine, but to nature itself. It could have
been written only by the man who had the generosity, the exalted
patriotism, the goodness to say: "The w