Mike Parker: The common sense of ‘Common Sense’
As we contemplate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we cannot overlook one of the most significant works written not only to support the push for independence, but a work that also plainly argued that anything less than independence from Great Britain placed the colonies as second class citizens as long as that bond existed.
Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense,” which appeared in January of 1776. This 47-page pamphlet came on the heels of efforts by the American colonists to stand up for their rights during a time when the English monarchy and Parliament were pushing ever stricter laws to regulate colonial behavior and increase tax revenue from the colonies.
At a time when the colonial population was around 2.5 million, “Common Sense” sold more than 500,000 copies – an average of one pamphlet for each five citizens of the colonies. A writer today would have to produce a work that sold more than 68 million copies to equal Paine’s feat in 1776.
One of the gravest mistakes most Americans make today is assuming the vast majority of colonists support the American Revolution War efforts to gain independence from Great Britain. In general terms, roughly one-third of the population supported independence, while one-third were loyalists, called Tories, wanted to remain part of England. The final third did not have strong support for either of the extremes and sought to be left alone.
Tom Paine entered the fray to bolster arguments for the move to gain independence. To win the war, the Patriots needed popular support to supply an army, fund the cause, and fight the British. For many, the idea of rebelling against the British Crown was still unthinkable, even among those who did not consider themselves Loyalists. Many supported resisting the Intolerable Acts and other repressive measures, but the idea of separating from England was out of the question.
Paine organized his pamphlet systematically to address the chief arguments in support of remaining part of Great Britain. “Common Sense” argued first that monarchical rule of the Thirteen Colonies was illogical. Paine criticized the British monarchy, especially hereditary succession, calling it an absurd and unnatural form of government that led to corruption and oppression. Paine offered several biblical examples that argued against hereditary monarchy.
Paine also argued British rule harmed America. He asserted that Britain exploited the colonies economically and hindered their growth. He also said the colonists were a distinct people, not merely subjects of Britain. Independence was the best solution to the conflict between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies. America possessed the resources and capacity to be self-sufficient.
Paine advocated for a democratic republican government that would allow citizens to have more direct influence in policy decisions. His proposed form of government aligned with Enlightenment ideals of equality and freedom. A basic Enlightenment premise was that all men are created equal; therefore, a king’s ability to control his subjects was unjust, Paine argued.
The pamphlet’s contents were read aloud in taverns and public meeting places, such as the Liberty Tree near Boston Common. Committees of Correspondence helped spread the message to smaller villages and settlements. As a result, nearly the entire population could hear Paine’s arguments, even those who could not read.
Not everyone bought into Paine’s version of “Common Sense.” In response to “Common Sense,” Rev. Charles Inglis, an Anglican cleric of Trinity Church in New York, responded to Paine in a treatise entitled “The True Interest of America Impartially Stated.” He claimed, “I find no common sense in this pamphlet, but much uncommon frenzy.”
Loyalist officer James Chalmers published “Plain Truth,” writing under the pen name “Candidus.” Chalmers defended the British Constitution, claiming that without the monarchy, the colonies would sink into a radical democracy. Chalmers quoted Montesquieu: “No government is so subject to Civil War and Intestine Commotions” as radical democracy. The pamphlet ended with the pronouncement: “Independence And Slavery Are Synonymous Terms.”
Despite opposition, “Common Sense” played a key role in influencing the opinions of political leaders still on the fence about attempting a complete separation from Great Britain. Just six months after “Common Sense” appeared, the Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States ….”
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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