The Birth Of ‘The Quill’ Revisited: Stoking The Fires Of Common Sense (by Corey Thompson)
By Corey Thompson, filed in Corey Thompson, General on Mar.23, 2009
(Editor’s Note: From time to time, “The Thirsty Quill” will reissue some of its more popular posts from previously published volumes. The following article originally ran on November 5th, 2008, the day after the election of Barack Obama.)
“Stoking The Fires Of Common Sense”
By: Corey Thompson, “The Thirsty Quill”
The year was 1776, and the seeds of revolution that had taken root were just beginning to push their way toward the rising sun that was breaking on the horizon. Although no official declaration had been proclaimed for the colonies as a whole, small pockets of rebellion had radiated from the epicenter in Boston, to as far south as the county of Mecklenburg in North Carolina. These were exciting times indeed, and ripe for the quill of a recent immigrant from England named Thomas Paine. Having arrived in Philadelphia barely a year before, Paine would craft one of America’s greatest political commentaries, and help fuel the growing attitudes and flames of rebellion that would soon engulf the colonial countryside.
Common Sense, Paine’s 46-page political argument favoring American independence, sold over 120,000 copies in the first 90 days after its initial publication and printing. One must take note of the fact that there were only an estimated 2,500,000 inhabitants (colonists) living in the 13 American colonies at the time. Paine’s craftsmanship was impeccable, as he hammered out, line by line, a case for freedom from British oppression. But beyond his ‘thirsty quill,’ Paine used the urgency of the moment to influence his readers that 1776 was the time to discover their personal and political convictions, and to stoke the fires of their soon-to-be national identity. Paine went on to convey that apathy could prove to be fatal in the end.
Barely 24 hours removed from the most historic and influential Presidential Election of our time, we too must realize that the opportunity is ripe for the quills and voices of America to seize the moment and be heard. Both sides of the political spectrum are calling for unity and bipartisanship, and even in defeat, we as Conservatives must set aside our bruised pride and do our part to move our great nation forward.
Yet, in so doing, it is equally vital that we begin to reflect upon those challenges that our party and our movement face internally. Now is the time that we rediscover those personal and political convictions, as we stoke the fires of our identity…that of our past, and more significantly, the one we will embrace in the years to come. Apathy, in our case as well, could be fatal to our ideals if we fail to act.
This reflection can be nothing short of a candid assessment of our values, our beliefs, our faith, and our vision. Long gone are the days of non-progressive ideology, but the “seeds” of our core identity are firmly rooted, and ripe for the coming harvest…
Thomas Paine: The Possessor Of The Original "Thirsty Quill"
March 24th, 2009 on 10:16 pm
I’m a fifth-grade teacher in Colorado, and an intrical part of teaching civics is providing students with our primary sources: the founding documents. This is critical in understanding what “We the People” really means. Today, as they did over 230 years ago, those documents instill in students the belief that all our voices are important. Everyone of our citizens are given the right to pursue liberty. Futures do not have to be inevitable and “Little voices” can make dramatic impacts on events. That is Thomas Paine’s greatest contribution to our country. His pamphlet, Common Sense, spoke to all the voices in the 13 colonies during a time of great fear and indecision. He gave a vast number of citizens a vision of what each could do, 176 days before the Declaration of Independence. A belief that power should radiate from the citizens. That message is still paramount to all our students today. For that pamphlet alone, Paine needs to be recognized as a integral part of the American miracle.
Mark Wilensky,
author of “The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine: An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages”
March 25th, 2009 on 2:47 pm
Mark,
Thanks for jumping into the fray here at ‘The Quill.’ We welcome you to the madness!
I too am a teacher (as is my wife…5th Grade no less, while I reside in the high school ranks), and have done a tremedous amount of study on Paine. We’ve tried to put the very ideals that you speak of (in regard to America and Paine) into play here at this blog.
We would love to have your input and wisdom! Thanks for joining. Please feel free to contribute as often as you’d like!
March 27th, 2009 on 12:08 am
Thanks Corey
March 27th, 2009 on 12:21 am
Mark,
I’d like to contact you about getting a personalized copy of your book. My wife teaches 5th Grade and was excited about the prospect of incorporating some of your efforts into her class.
What is the best way to reach you?
You can contact me via email at corey@thirstyquill.com.
Please tell us more about it so we can share it here at ‘The Quill!’
-Corey
March 29th, 2009 on 6:20 pm
Hi Corey,
This is partially the same email I sent to your above address, but I am posting it here as well. The book contains adapted versions of Paine’s Common Sense (which is an almost perfect blueprint of all the indecision and strife happening in Colonial America) the Boston Port Act, Olive Branch Petition and the King’s response to the colonists. All these documents give incredible insight into the founding of our country, and the Declaration of Independence. By writing the book, I was able to have my students read the primary source founding documents. More interestingly, It is now available in general history sections across the country.
More importantly, for public school teachers and homeschoolers, the book’s site has a lot of additional information for use in the classroom, in addition to free PDF downloads of all the activities that are in the book. I’m not sure how old your child is, but try the “sketch artist game” where you can make your own wanted posters of King George III and print them off; It is probably the most popular activity on the site.
Thanks Corey, and my best regards to your wife.
Mark Wilensky,
author of “The Elementary Common Sense of Thomas Paine: An Interactive Adaptation for All Ages”
(www.NewCommonSenseBook.com)