Chapter D: H. Montgomery: "Paine boldly said that the time had come for a 'final

separation' from England, and that 'arms must decide the contest.'"

Rev. John Schroeder, D.D.: "'Common Sense,' from the pen of Thomas Paine, produced a wonderful effect in the different colonies in favor of Independence."

Woodrow Wilson: "Pamphlets which argued with slow and sober power gave place to pamphlets which rang with passionate appeals: which thrust constitutional argument upon one side and spoke flatly for independence. One such took precedence of all others, whether for boldness or for power, the extraordinary pamphlet which Thomas Paine, but the other day come out of England as if upon mere adventure, gave to the world as 'Common Sense.'"

American Reference Library: "'Common Sense,' more than any other single writing furnished the logical basis of Independence."

"'Common Sense' first formulated the demand for Independence."--The _Nation_ (London).

Benson J. Lossing, LL.D.: "It was the earliest and most powerful appeal in behalf of Independence, and probably did more to fix that idea firmly in the public mind than any other instrumentality."

Richard Hildreth: "It argued in that plain and convincing style for which Paine was so distinguished."

Edmund Randolph: "A style hitherto unknown on this side of the Atlantic."

Charles Kendall Adams, LL.D: "A work which had great influence on the Colonists."

"The success and influence of this publication was extraordinary, and it won for him the friendship of Washington, Franklin and other distinguished American leaders."--_Chambers' Encyclopedia_.

J. Franklin Jameson, LL.D.: "'Common Sense'... exerted a profound impression."

John T. Morse, Jr.: "Thomas Paine had sent 'Common Sense' abroad among the people and had stirred them profoundly."

Lord Stanhope: "That publication had produced a strong effect."

Rev. Abiel Holmes, D.D., LL.D.: "'Common Sense', written by Thomas Paine, produced great effect."

John Howard Hinton: "'Common Sense' from the popular pen of Thomas Paine produced a wonderful effect in the different colonies in favor of independence."

Dr. David Ramsey: "In union with the feelings and sentiments of the people it produced surprising effects."

Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D.: "Of mighty cogency in its tone and substance, was that vigorous work of Thomas Paine."

Rev. Jesse A. Spencer, D.D.: "The style, manner and matter of his pamphlet were calculated to rouse all the energies of human nature."

William Grimshaw: "'Common Sense' roused the public feeling to a degree unequalled by any previous appeal."

Hand Book of American Revolution: "It affected sensibly the current of political feeling."

Barnes's Centenary History: "It produced a profound impression."

"The clear and powerful style of Paine made a prodigious impression on the American people."--_Thomas Gaspey_.

Charles Morris: "Its stirring tones filled all minds with the thirst for liberty."

Nouvelle Biographie Generale (France): "The pamphlet produced a prodigious effect."

"The success of this writing of Paine," says the Italian patriot and historian, Charles Botta, "cannot be described."

W. H. Bartlett: "This pamphlet produced an indescribable sensation."

John Andrews, LL.D.: "It was received with vast applause."

Timothy Pitkins: "'Common Sense' produced a wonderful effect in the different Colonies in favor of Independence."

Rev. William Gordon: "Nothing could have been better timed than this performance."

Boston Gazette (April 29, 1776): "Had the spirit of prophecy directed the birth of a publication it could not have fallen on a more fortunate period than the time in which 'Common Sense' made its appearance."

"In the elements of its strength it was precisely fitted to the hour, to the spot and to the passions."--_Prof. Moses Coit Tyler_.

Melville M. Bigelow: "No pamphlet was so timely, none had such an effect."

Prof. C. A. Van Tyne: "It was a firebrand which set aflame the ready political material in America."

"Every living man in America in 1776 who could read, read 'Common Sense.'... This book was the arsenal to which colonists went for their mental weapons."--_Theodore Parker_.

Mrs. Robert Burns Peattie: "Men, women and children read it. It was for them an education."