Ithaca Daily Journal, 29 January 1892
THOMAS PAINE.
His Life and Character the Topic of a Lecture Before the Unity Club.
Mr. J. E. Remsburg spoke before the Unity Club last evening on Thomas Paine instead of “The Fathers of the Republic” as had been announced.
The lecturer reviewed at length the career of Thomas Paine and particularly his services to the American Revolution. By his writings and his heroic self sacrificing deeds, Thomas Paine, perhaps more than any of those that fought in the Revolution, said the speaker, helped to establish a free Republic in America. The power of his pen and the example of his self sacrifice inspired many a patriotic colonist to go forth in battle against the oppressive rule of the mother country. When Washington was defeated at Valley Forge and Long Island it was Thomas Paine who by his well known “Crisis” kept up the fire of liberty in the hearts of those who were struggling against oppression. But his zeal for liberty was not limited to this country, for no sooner did an opportunity offer itself to him, when the French revolution broke out than he went forth once more to fight for liberty. Yet in spite of his noble services to humanity, his character has been constantly maligned, and his noble works ignored by his enemies, foremost among whom was the church.
The lecturer brought an overwhelming amount of evidence to show the good and noble character of him whose motto was: “The world is my country, to do good my religion.” Taking for testimony the writings of Washington, Jefferson and many other noted men and women of that day, the lecturer in a stirring manner illustrated the utter falsity and groundlessness of all the charges brought by the church against the character of Paine.
The charge of infidelity against Paine was likewise declared to be false, for he was a firm believer in one God and in a future life. Mr. Remsburg closed his lecture by expressing the hope that the future will do justice and honor the memory of him who so unselfishly devoted his life to the cause of human freedom.