In the summer heat of July 1776, revolutionaries in 13 of the British colonies in North America celebrated news that the members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, had adopted the Declaration of Independence. In July, men had cheered the ideas that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States,” and that, in contrast to the tradition of hereditary monarchy under which the American colonies had been organized, the representatives of the thirteen united states intended to create a nation based on the idea “that all men are created equal” and that governments were legitimate only if those they governed consented to them.
A brilliant essay/history lesson tonight. I feel like the words of Thomas Paine are so very pertinent today. We must not get weary, but continue this march to a better union, one where all people are equal.
Our experience and struggle then informed us of the cost of freedom. We are still working towards a more perfect union. This is mirrored by Ukraine’s fierce determination to keep their democracy
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
I’ve been thinking along these lines for the past few years. In some ways I feel very lucky to have experienced near tyranny as to be able to appreciate what on earth it is we need to appreciate. Thank goodness we averted tyranny this time around. I honestly thank people like Heather Cox Richardson for helping me understand our past and how our present day and future all depend on our knowing and understanding history. Very thankful tonight. My thoughts are with you all and with people around the world that are struggling to triumph against tyranny.
“ What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.” I propose that we now value more what we almost lost in late 2020 and early 2021. I know that a lot of my complacent friends that thought that there was no way that Hillary could lose or that Roe v. Wade could be overturned are now awake. They are much more involved than before TFG showed us how much of our democracy depended on norms and traditions (that he stomped upon). It’s scary to think how easily a more quiet person could have slipped this past us. Thank you for awakening us with concrete examples to complement the extraordinary revelations of the January 6 Commission.
I was thinking about early settlers while walking my dog outside today. The temperature was -6 below and alI I could think about was how hard it would have been to be outdoors without all the great equipment I have- down coat, wool hat, down hood to pull up over the hat, heavy down mittens, lined boots, long underwear- and the best of all, cashmere socks. Even with all that, I was certainly happy to go home after just 40 minutes so I could get warm again!
Thinking about that again just now after reading this - What did Union soldiers wear? How, in the name of all that is holy, did those men cross the Delaware in a winter storm, then march nine miles in freezing rain? Without Gortex? In wool? Soaked to the bone? I’m a pretty tough person having grown up in Minnesota and experienced my fair share of brutal winter weather but cold and wet is the hardest - as well as the most dangerous. Most people I know wouldn’t last nine minutes, let alone nine miles and then they routed the Hessians in battle. Gobsmacking strength and courage!
“What we attain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” I will never again be able to think about the Battle of Trenton without a much clearer understanding of what that truly cost my ancestors. What a great impetus to be as active in defense of our democratic republic as we are capable of being going forward. Thanks for the brilliant reminder, Dr. R.
To those that celebrate, Merry Christmas. Best of the season to all of you.
Read David Fischer's "Washington's Crossing," a definitive work on this subject. The common belief is that the ragged remnant of an army snuck up on the garrison at Trenton and defeated the Christmas-loving Germans who were hung over from celebrations of the preceding two days. In truth, the tide was already turning, and the Hessians were tired and stressed not from drink but from the ceaseless vigilance required to protect themselves from aroused local partisans who resented their presence and their habits of stealing everything that wasn't nailed down. The attack, carried out in the teeth of a bitter Nor'easter, convinced the Continentals, ragged as they might have been, of what many of them already believed, that they were hardened soldiers capable of victory.
Let's hope enough of us still carry the resolve to fight to the last measure against oppression and tyranny.
General Howe, shacked up with a lovely lady in NYC, called off the British assault and engaged in the Christmas party scene. By contrast, General Washington, with the remnants of his army—cold and underfed—faced the certainty that his remaining soldiers would go home on January 1st when their enlistments expired.
He decided on an incredible Hail Mary. His troops would cross the Delaware on Christmas Eve and attack the fearsome Hessian mercenaries in Trenton. Thanks to Marbleheader Glover they got the boats and arrived in Jersey territory later than anticipated. Surprise was their best hope. [Colonel Rahle, the Hessian commander, had been handed a spy’s report of Washington’s attack, but, during the drunken festivities, failed to glance at it.]
The ragged American soldiers attacked, the Hessians were defeated—with 900 prisoners—and, astonishingly, not a single American soldier was killed.
If Washington hadn’t succeeded in his astonishing Hail Mary, the American revolution may have ended on January 1st. [Thomas Paine’s wrote The Crisis, which was a rousing carrion call that was read to the troops before their extraordinary victory.]
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Paine was a remarkable thinker and writer. Until tonight's LFAA prompted me to search for more information about him, I had no clue about his influence in Europe or how much of a dire price he paid late in life for his strong views.
I read Paine in 6th grade and I remember being thrilled with his words “These are the times that try men’s souls” because they seemed as applicable to me in 1966 as they did when he wrote them. I took his adjuration against summer patriotism to heart, figuring it applied to any cause one joined. It’s a leitmotif in my life, and it still makes me think critically about my involvement in anything I consider committing to support. Looking back, I think I was a Thomas Paine fangirl. Hah, I guess there’s worse things.
As the great x4 grandson of a Revolutionary War soldier who signed up on his 16th birthday in July 1776, saw action at Monmouth Courthouse, saw his hometown (Norwalk, CT) burned to the ground, and eventually be part of the “forlorn hope” that took Redoubt No. 10 at Yorktown, I shutter with pride, awe, and downright disbelief that such courageous people gave their all, yet, in a very short time, we find so many unpatriotic hucksters and minions who blather their lies and deceptions and “hug” the American flag. Shameful, yet, I believe we will prevail. Truth is on our side. Let Freedom Ring!!
Impossible to read this today without thinking of Ukraine. Thank you. Happy holidays.
A brilliant essay/history lesson tonight. I feel like the words of Thomas Paine are so very pertinent today. We must not get weary, but continue this march to a better union, one where all people are equal.
Our experience and struggle then informed us of the cost of freedom. We are still working towards a more perfect union. This is mirrored by Ukraine’s fierce determination to keep their democracy
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
I’ve been thinking along these lines for the past few years. In some ways I feel very lucky to have experienced near tyranny as to be able to appreciate what on earth it is we need to appreciate. Thank goodness we averted tyranny this time around. I honestly thank people like Heather Cox Richardson for helping me understand our past and how our present day and future all depend on our knowing and understanding history. Very thankful tonight. My thoughts are with you all and with people around the world that are struggling to triumph against tyranny.
“ What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.” I propose that we now value more what we almost lost in late 2020 and early 2021. I know that a lot of my complacent friends that thought that there was no way that Hillary could lose or that Roe v. Wade could be overturned are now awake. They are much more involved than before TFG showed us how much of our democracy depended on norms and traditions (that he stomped upon). It’s scary to think how easily a more quiet person could have slipped this past us. Thank you for awakening us with concrete examples to complement the extraordinary revelations of the January 6 Commission.
I was thinking about early settlers while walking my dog outside today. The temperature was -6 below and alI I could think about was how hard it would have been to be outdoors without all the great equipment I have- down coat, wool hat, down hood to pull up over the hat, heavy down mittens, lined boots, long underwear- and the best of all, cashmere socks. Even with all that, I was certainly happy to go home after just 40 minutes so I could get warm again!
Thinking about that again just now after reading this - What did Union soldiers wear? How, in the name of all that is holy, did those men cross the Delaware in a winter storm, then march nine miles in freezing rain? Without Gortex? In wool? Soaked to the bone? I’m a pretty tough person having grown up in Minnesota and experienced my fair share of brutal winter weather but cold and wet is the hardest - as well as the most dangerous. Most people I know wouldn’t last nine minutes, let alone nine miles and then they routed the Hessians in battle. Gobsmacking strength and courage!
“What we attain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” I will never again be able to think about the Battle of Trenton without a much clearer understanding of what that truly cost my ancestors. What a great impetus to be as active in defense of our democratic republic as we are capable of being going forward. Thanks for the brilliant reminder, Dr. R.
To those that celebrate, Merry Christmas. Best of the season to all of you.
Read David Fischer's "Washington's Crossing," a definitive work on this subject. The common belief is that the ragged remnant of an army snuck up on the garrison at Trenton and defeated the Christmas-loving Germans who were hung over from celebrations of the preceding two days. In truth, the tide was already turning, and the Hessians were tired and stressed not from drink but from the ceaseless vigilance required to protect themselves from aroused local partisans who resented their presence and their habits of stealing everything that wasn't nailed down. The attack, carried out in the teeth of a bitter Nor'easter, convinced the Continentals, ragged as they might have been, of what many of them already believed, that they were hardened soldiers capable of victory.
Let's hope enough of us still carry the resolve to fight to the last measure against oppression and tyranny.
Thank you, Professor, for one final Christmas present. We will stand by our conviction. Rest well.
General Howe, shacked up with a lovely lady in NYC, called off the British assault and engaged in the Christmas party scene. By contrast, General Washington, with the remnants of his army—cold and underfed—faced the certainty that his remaining soldiers would go home on January 1st when their enlistments expired.
He decided on an incredible Hail Mary. His troops would cross the Delaware on Christmas Eve and attack the fearsome Hessian mercenaries in Trenton. Thanks to Marbleheader Glover they got the boats and arrived in Jersey territory later than anticipated. Surprise was their best hope. [Colonel Rahle, the Hessian commander, had been handed a spy’s report of Washington’s attack, but, during the drunken festivities, failed to glance at it.]
The ragged American soldiers attacked, the Hessians were defeated—with 900 prisoners—and, astonishingly, not a single American soldier was killed.
If Washington hadn’t succeeded in his astonishing Hail Mary, the American revolution may have ended on January 1st. [Thomas Paine’s wrote The Crisis, which was a rousing carrion call that was read to the troops before their extraordinary victory.]
WOW. Thank you, Heather. You are the light.
Democracy is looking pretty dear these days, and valuable.
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Paine was a remarkable thinker and writer. Until tonight's LFAA prompted me to search for more information about him, I had no clue about his influence in Europe or how much of a dire price he paid late in life for his strong views.
https://opb.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/americon-lp-thomas-paine/thomas-paine/
I read Paine in 6th grade and I remember being thrilled with his words “These are the times that try men’s souls” because they seemed as applicable to me in 1966 as they did when he wrote them. I took his adjuration against summer patriotism to heart, figuring it applied to any cause one joined. It’s a leitmotif in my life, and it still makes me think critically about my involvement in anything I consider committing to support. Looking back, I think I was a Thomas Paine fangirl. Hah, I guess there’s worse things.
As the great x4 grandson of a Revolutionary War soldier who signed up on his 16th birthday in July 1776, saw action at Monmouth Courthouse, saw his hometown (Norwalk, CT) burned to the ground, and eventually be part of the “forlorn hope” that took Redoubt No. 10 at Yorktown, I shutter with pride, awe, and downright disbelief that such courageous people gave their all, yet, in a very short time, we find so many unpatriotic hucksters and minions who blather their lies and deceptions and “hug” the American flag. Shameful, yet, I believe we will prevail. Truth is on our side. Let Freedom Ring!!
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,”
This is the phrase that I feel sums up our efforts these past years standing against trump and the republicans.
Bless you, making time on Christmas Day to spread light!