Paine argued that delaying independence risked future demagoguery and loss of liberty

Evidence

Maintaining that separation must come “sooner or later,” Paine pleas against “leaving the sword to our children” when at present “a little more, a little farther, would have rendered this continent the glory of the earth.” Moreover, he darkly warns, “if we omit [to act] now,” a demagogue may arise later to take up the cause and “sweep away the liberties of the Continent like a deluge.” Reiterating the refrain that “the last cord is now broken” with Britain, Paine warns, “Ye that oppose independance now, ye know not what ye do.” — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 78

Categorization

• XREF: Paine’s fear that postponed revolution breeds demagogues resonates with course readings on founding-era anxieties about factions and the survival of republican liberty. — connects to: Paine framed American independence as a universal cause of human liberty — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 79

Broader Connections

• Paine framed American independence as a universal cause of human liberty #expands (0.75) — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 79