At one of our interviews he gave me a minute account of Paine's
sickness and death. In short, from those talks, I was and am satisfied
that my old friend, with his mark'd advantages, had mentally, morally
and emotionally gauged the author of "Common Sense," and besides
giving me a good portrait of his appearance and manners, had taken the
true measure of his interior character.
Paine's practical demeanor, and much of his theoretical belief, was a
mixture of the French and English schools of a century ago, and the
best of both. Like most old-fashion'd people, he drank a glass or two
every day, but was no tippler, nor intemperate, let alone being a
drunkard. He lived simply and economically, but quite well--was
always cheery and courteous, perhaps occasionally a little blunt,
having very positive opinions upon politics, religion, and so forth.
That he labor'd well and wisely for the States in the trying period of
their parturition, and in the seeds of their character, there seems to
me no question. I dare not say how much of what our Union is owning
and enjoying to-day--its independence--its ardent belief in, and
substantial practice of radical human rights--and the severance of
its government from all ecclesiastical and superstitious dominion--I
dare not say how much of all this is owing to Thomas Paine, but I am
inclined to think a good portion of it decidedly is.
But I was not going either into an analysis or eulogium of the man.
I wanted to carry you back a generation or two, and give you by
indirection a moment's glance--and also to ventilate a very earnest
and I believe authentic opinion, nay conviction, of that time, the
fruit of the interviews I have mention'd, and of questioning and
cross-questioning, clench'd by my best information since, that Thomas
Paine had a noble personality, as exhibited in presence, face, voice,
dress, manner, and what may be call'd his atmosphere and magnetism,
especially the later years of his life.
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