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.
You never know how important your voice or action is. Only in hindsight may you have a clue. But standing strong for what is dear, steadfast in the winter of our soul, can bring us closer to the aspirations of our founders. Thank you Heather Cox Richardson for telling the stories of our history that give us understanding and hope.
When I read the line about “sunshine patriots” and “summer soldiers,” I thought about the members of Congress too terrified of their Trump-supporting, Putin-loving constituents to walk through an airport or give an honest answer to the journalists who haunt the Capitol hallways. The contrast between them and the brave Ukrainian people who are fighting to protect their democracy is just embarrassing.
In the wise words of Thomas Paine, “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Paine wrote. “Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
“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.”
Let us remember and act upon these words as we enter into the darkness of 2024. Please remember that a rabid animal is always the most dangerous when it is cornered and that only by working together will we rid our lives of the danger.
Thank you so much Dr. Richardson! I hope your holiday was filled with love, family and friends which I feel we are all part of.
My ancestor Benjamin Woodman crossed the Delaware upstream from Washington with general Sullivan and marched into Trenton. A Quaker doctor's daughter nursed him back to health in Valley Forge at the end of the war. He attended Quaker Meeting for the rest of his life, but declined to join. Quakers, (the Religious Society of Friends) are pacifists. He did not join because, he said, if he had to do it over again, he would fight again.
Can’t help but reflect that my fellow citizens who revere our founders — the Tea Party patriots who morphed into the Republican Party base — have turned their backs to the Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting the same fight against tyranny that Paine so eloquently inspired way back when in the nascent history of our country.
It is a very American Christmas tradition to remember Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. I love having it told to me again especially through your letters!!! Many thanks.
The battle of Brooklyn and the withdrawal across the East River saved the War. If Washington had not only been defeated but had lost the army, there would have been no Christmas victory. The withdrawal is an amazing story and also shows Washington’s courage and his admiration by his troops... they trusted him.
Reading Tom Paine's words gave me goose bumps. Yes, I'd read them in the past, more than once, probably, but not recently, and how they resonated tonight! All of the inspiration we need is right there, throughout our history. If you're not familiar with Pete Seeger's song, Wasn't That a Time?, treat yourself to one more Christmas present: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y096F_jFy3c.
Thank you Heather, for all you do. this letter was especially moving for me. I had to memorize this letter of Thomas Paine in 7th grade (back when students still had to do that sort of thing) and his cutting remarks about summer soldiers and sunshine patriots always stood out to me. I was naive to think we would never have to fight for our democracy again, of course, but I thank you for helping me understand how we got here, and how we can get out again. Your words have meant so much to so many these recent years. You are a worthy "descendent" of Thomas Paine.
You never know how important your voice or action is. Only in hindsight may you have a clue. But standing strong for what is dear, steadfast in the winter of our soul, can bring us closer to the aspirations of our founders. Thank you Heather Cox Richardson for telling the stories of our history that give us understanding and hope.
The quote from Paine is apt today. We don’t need us citizens to fight and found a democracy but to vote and preserve our democracy.
When I read the line about “sunshine patriots” and “summer soldiers,” I thought about the members of Congress too terrified of their Trump-supporting, Putin-loving constituents to walk through an airport or give an honest answer to the journalists who haunt the Capitol hallways. The contrast between them and the brave Ukrainian people who are fighting to protect their democracy is just embarrassing.
In the wise words of Thomas Paine, “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Paine wrote. “Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
“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.”
Let us remember and act upon these words as we enter into the darkness of 2024. Please remember that a rabid animal is always the most dangerous when it is cornered and that only by working together will we rid our lives of the danger.
Thank you so much Dr. Richardson! I hope your holiday was filled with love, family and friends which I feel we are all part of.
My ancestor Benjamin Woodman crossed the Delaware upstream from Washington with general Sullivan and marched into Trenton. A Quaker doctor's daughter nursed him back to health in Valley Forge at the end of the war. He attended Quaker Meeting for the rest of his life, but declined to join. Quakers, (the Religious Society of Friends) are pacifists. He did not join because, he said, if he had to do it over again, he would fight again.
That last paragraph!!!
How wonderful to read these lines period Tom Paine and you are wonderful writers. Just the encouraging words we need at this time.thank you.
Susan Schlechter
Can’t help but reflect that my fellow citizens who revere our founders — the Tea Party patriots who morphed into the Republican Party base — have turned their backs to the Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting the same fight against tyranny that Paine so eloquently inspired way back when in the nascent history of our country.
It is a very American Christmas tradition to remember Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. I love having it told to me again especially through your letters!!! Many thanks.
Hi Heather! Merry Christmas! My son gave me your autographed book for Christmas! Yay!!
Can and will our better selves surface now? On us depend our democracy and that of Ukraine. We can do it, and you inspire us to make it so!
The battle of Brooklyn and the withdrawal across the East River saved the War. If Washington had not only been defeated but had lost the army, there would have been no Christmas victory. The withdrawal is an amazing story and also shows Washington’s courage and his admiration by his troops... they trusted him.
Reading Tom Paine's words gave me goose bumps. Yes, I'd read them in the past, more than once, probably, but not recently, and how they resonated tonight! All of the inspiration we need is right there, throughout our history. If you're not familiar with Pete Seeger's song, Wasn't That a Time?, treat yourself to one more Christmas present: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y096F_jFy3c.
Thank you Heather, for all you do. this letter was especially moving for me. I had to memorize this letter of Thomas Paine in 7th grade (back when students still had to do that sort of thing) and his cutting remarks about summer soldiers and sunshine patriots always stood out to me. I was naive to think we would never have to fight for our democracy again, of course, but I thank you for helping me understand how we got here, and how we can get out again. Your words have meant so much to so many these recent years. You are a worthy "descendent" of Thomas Paine.
We need to fight for our country now as we did then to ensure a victory of freedom over tyranny!!
Thank you for your writings! They have kept me calm this year.