 Wearing Claude Reigns with Ray Collins in a new play about town pain called In This Crisis on the Cavalcade of America, sponsored by The Buck. These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier in the Sunshine Patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Those are words of Thomas Paine, written more than a century and a half ago, in such a crisis as America faces again today. Those words and town pain are written on the subject of our play tonight. This play, written by Robert Richards, is about a true story and about a legend, but town pain would say that it is true. The plant maker of other things for better living through chemistry presents In This Crisis with Ray Collins as the stranger and starring Claude Reigns as Tom Paine. It is New York in the air 1809 in an upstairs room of a little house on Grove Street. An old man, sick and bedridden, waits for the darkness to come. His housekeeper, Madame Dolby, speaks to him. Oh no, Madame Dolby? Are you quite comfortable with your play? I'm quite, Madame Dolby. Quite, thank you. Madame Dolby, I can do this with you. Nothing, thank you. The front door locks? Yes, yes, Mr. Paine. Good. I don't want to be annoyed by a lot of lunatics bursting in here as I was used to. No. Come along. Yes, yes, Mr. Paine. Good evening, town pain. Good evening. Good evening. It's been a long time, hasn't it, town pain? Let me see. Who came to see me last night? Winter. 1776. That was the last time, wasn't it? Mr. Paine. Who are you? Who is it that you are talking to? Do you want to see me? It's all right, Madame Dolby. It's all right. It's just an old friend. How did he get in? And there was no... He let himself in. Now you want me to suffer and leave us alone? Yes, yes, Mr. Paine. So, do chat for an hour or two with an old friend and watch the sun go down. You know, I think I'm dying. You are, town pain. I find it hard to accept you at all sometimes. I don't believe in medicals, you know. Oh, come out, town pain. You're something of a miracle yourself. I am. Yes, you, from an impoverished tax collector to a leader of one of the great social and political movements of all the ages. Oh, enough town pain. That's a miracle you believe in, isn't it? I believe in myself, yes. I don't believe in things I can't see. You see me sitting over here, don't you? Come to think of it. You know, I've never seen you distinctly. Do you remember the first time? Oh, yes. I was a very new parliament. Representing the king's excise men, poor devils. Tried to get through little play. It was your first real fight. And you were a little frightened. Parliament, the king's ministers. You were waiting to be summoned. Everyone was giving you advice. No, town, don't forget. We'll take it before they launch it. I know, I know. That's great. Well, town, that's how it is. That's how it's always been. I don't want me to mention, I suppose, that if we don't get better wages, we shall starve. We'll be sure of town to be sure. But delicately, delicately, delicately, delicately, delicately. Mr. Thomas Paine. I am Mr. Thomas Paine. The lordships will see you now, Mr. Paine. Thank you. Remember now, town, delicately, delicately. This way. Remove your hat, please, Mr. Paine. The lords and ministers. The petitioner. Thomas Paine. They've opened Mr. Paine. Step up. No, what is it? The lords, I come before you as a petitioner for his majesty's offices of excise. We are aware of that, Mr. Paine. I must ask you to be as brief as possible. I shall be brief, the lords. In all loyalty and in all humility, his majesty's offices of excise wish to call with your lordship's attention the fact that their wages were set by only 100 years ago. And another once in all that time had been readjusted. It is no longer possible for these officers to live with our noble self-respecting no longer what they now receive. Mr. Paine, is your purpose here to obtain an increase in the salaries of his majesty's offices of excise? It is, my lord. For myself, I am disinclined to have more. If the salaries of these officers have been adequate for nearly 100 years, it is the most powerful of arguments that they are still adequate today. Am I right, my lords? Quite right. Very definitely. And as to honesty, Mr. Paine, you will find that we have very positive means of enforcing that. Amen, my lord? I think that will be all, Mr. Paine. All? Am I to understand it all that this is all you have to say? Do you question our lord, Mr. Paine? Question it. I not only question it, I question your right to render it. And before God, I'll find out one day how it is that some men are born with the right to enslave others who may not even question their enslavement. Mr. Paine, you may consider your service to the crowned Ahamann as of these days. I have already self-considered it. Well, how was it? Will the old boys give us another quitter, too? I'll give you nothing. What did they say? They said that one who's good enough for your great-grandfathers is good enough for you. In short, they said no. Well, come along, lads. We'd best be getting on. Sorry about that. You did the best you could. Well, we'll see you back at Lewis, eh? Yes, I suppose I should be back at Lewis. Good evening, Tom. Good evening. Good evening. I, uh... It's so dark. I'm afraid I do recognize you. I was sent by a countryman of your arms. Countryman of mine? Yes, in America. Well, I've been to America. Oh, then you're mistaken, sir. I know Dr. Franklin. I've never been in America in my life. But you have been thinking about going to America, haven't you? Why? Yes. I know a good deal about that country, Tom Paine. Dr. Franklin has spoken to me somewhat about America. Yes, but I thought of myself that I know even more. Oh, don't misunderstand me. But I have a curious knack of knowing what men will feel tomorrow. You're something of a perfect friend. In a small way, yes. Who are you? Time enough for that. The point is, you have been wishing that there were others who believed as you do, that you might find them and talk with them. And together with them, seek out some better way of life. Yes. I have wished that. With all my heart, suppose I were to tell you that there are such men in America. Who are you? You're going to be speaking in English. How am I to believe that you are a man who knows the sound of truth? Listen. In their hearts, the men in America are saying this to each other, that all men are creative and equal. And all men are creative and certain on any of their rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Do you believe that, Tom Paine? It should not be a battle cry for the whole world. I said, well, one day it will be. By the way, Tom Paine, there is a ship called the London Pocket, leaving very soon for Philadelphia. Are we only sure that this is not a dream? It is a dream, Tom Paine. But every forward step that men have ever taken since they lived in caves have started as a dream. But I made sure again that one can open, I think. Remember, Tom Paine, I promise nothing. But this can be the beginning. If you wish it, I do. You are listening to Claude Reigns on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. As unclean continues, Tom Paine was arrived in America, is now the editor of the magazine in Philadelphia. Come in. Come in. Mr. Paine. I was not thinking of you. You are certainly to be congratulated, sir. Am I, Mr. Aitken? You will realize, sir, that since you have been editing the Pennsylvania magazine, its circulation has been a little tripled. I think perhaps congratulations for that are due more to you as owner than to me as editor. Come, come now, Paine. The credit's yours. I am in, sir, that it's the business of an editor to be concerned about the profits of his publication. It's the business of an editor to be concerned about the contents. Why, yes. So it is, I suppose, in a way. Our contents have been most unprofitable, Mr. Aitken. What? Well, to my mind, Mr. Aitken, there's this little powder in the air. It's mainly anger. On every April breeze, and when Jim Spistamon still believes the world is fragile, he's not tolerating these rumors of rebellion. It is all part of this policy of a hostage. I am in... It's what I'm not. Mr. Paine. What's that? It sounds like every bell in Philadelphia. Bells? Can someone be dead? I signed to a full of joy for that. That's what this goes to. Mr. Paine, there's been a battle. The Red Quartz fire in a minute, Lexington. Good heavens. So who won? I will tell them back, sir. The people are talking about raising a militia. I'm going out. Maybe a few courageous men can stop it. I'm going to wait. Where did you come from, Lexington? I'm from... It's our team. Oh, I knew it. It had to happen. That's what I like about you, Tom. But what's to be done about it? I thought you knew. 13 colonies spread along 3,000 miles of sea coast, all wanting something different, all with painted genesis. Is that a common thing they have in common? Yes. If they had the sense to see it, what do you think they want? Independence. Outlast. But how many more now, in April 1775, believe as you do? No, some. Some is nothing. Now, let me spend more. Someone was telling me. Someone was burning that word, independence on their hearts, and they had to have written it upon a steel. And who was to do that? Well, I will. If no one else. So you'll become a revolutionary panther tier. Hey, Tom Paine. I'll become whatever I must become for the cause of freedom. And then you should know this. There'll be no turning back. You'll be swapping the very vortex of it. You'll make converts, yes, but you'll make enemies as well. You'll give misunderstood, reviled, persecuted, and any of your own time and generations yet to come. There'll be no peace for you, Tom Paine, now, or hereafter. How do you know this? Who are you? You've asked me that before. Now I want to know. Very well. I, Tom Paine, am the first and last citizen of a country known as the United States of America. A country that is yet a dream that may only not become reality depending greatly upon you today. I am not young man. I am a nation. I am the posterity which one day may judge you, but which you today must judge, whether it is worthwhile to you that I shall be or not be. It is said. And now you know. I know that I care now, but is there no more road for running or fights against the terminal of this time? Yes, Tom Paine. And perhaps someday when your need is greatest, I'll come and tell you what it is that's a small matter. I've made my choice. So you have. Listen. That time of day the same day we know he is the spirit of 1776, 1786, but that's too long. But if men would believe what he and I believe, there'd be that southern spirit in 1776 when I say that's only common sense. You didn't get Tom Paine? Yes. That's only common sense. In other words, of course, to be scared out of your Tom Paine with that common sense, we're leading you to the country side Well, you remember those days when they made all the physics wrong, a reconciliation to the touchstone of nature. Tell me, when did you pay your head off to life on a faithless sale of the power that has carried fire and the sword into your land? Well, what did you say? It could still have crossed the line, which would have never asked, have your house been burnt? You're talking to this boy, your wife, your children, your students, have you got the parent or the child that you have not? Well, you are not like that, it knows it has. But if you have, I can still see it has. Well, you are not worthy of the love of husband, father, friend or lover. You have the heart of a coward. They listen, they believe you and they talk for independence. But even that was not enough. 1776, the fall of 1776. Do you remember that? You remember the army of General Washington, what was left of it? Poor wretches driven to the modern state of Northern Jersey. Hungry, freezing. It's hard enough to say it, General Washington, but we are profitable and we are breaking the facts. We're out of ammunition, out of food. They've got us all around. Most of this, I'll blame on you, Mr. Paine. Oh, Mesa? Yes. Because you are a common source that first persuaded me to be independent. Oh, I've never wavered since. But I tell you, not for 20,000 pounds a year. But I endure what all of us have endured for faith alone. Simon? Perhaps this time of a variety of good news. Captain Marsden reporting, sir. What? Small desertion, sir. Hold company this time. Where did they go? Home, I suppose, sir. Unless we'll have a moment to go, too. Well, thank you, Captain Marsden. Yes, sir. Good night, sir. Good night. Despite far the worst of it. Desertions. It's hard to blame the men, sir. No, I can't blame them. But we'll be generals without alarm in another week. Well, gentlemen, we're going to get into my own tip-start and weigh our chances. Good night to all of you under the arrest. Good night, sir. Good night, sir. Are you staying up all night, please? Yes, sir. Yes, I thought I'd try to write some sort of proclamation to the men. Well, good luck to your efforts. Thank you, sir. Well, Sergeant. Yes, sir? Sergeant. I bet you could name him. Yes, sir. Right here. There you are, sir. Thank you. As Sergeant, don't blame men. They know what the rest are thinking. What has happened to them? Wow, there it is, that is. Well, sir, they know what they're thinking. It's more than like a fatal ammunition. There's something down out of them nearly just to be there. I know, but what's the cure for that? Well, that's up to you, sir. You're our leaders. We're just plain followers. Do you even have to look to when things are bad to tell us where we're starting? Tell us the worst of it. Then tell us what to do. We'll follow you. You think it's as simple as that? We've done it before, sir. We've never stopped believing in what we're fighting for. If you'll show us how we can win, win, we will. You haven't lost your courage. Have this, Sergeant. No, sir. Really, sir? I thank you. Really, sir? Come on, Sergeant. He's right, you know, Tom Paine. Why are you here to tell me that I failed? No. Perhaps to tell me what will happen if you fail. No need of that. I know. The words won't come. This is crisis, Tom Paine. Last crisis, I'm afraid. No, not the last. There'll be others. There'll be something else. Let me see if I can show it to you. Look. A united nation stretching across a continent from sea to sea. One hundred and fifty million people living and working together, governing themselves in liberty and justice. The sworn enemy of all tyrants and oppressors. The hope of the whole world in time of trouble. The leader of the world in time of peace. Can you see that? I've seen it in my dreams a thousand times. It's only my hope to live for all my faith. It's only religion. I spoke to you once of a reward. Yet, it ain't my reward. But there's a special one reserved for you. If you triumph now, this shall be your reward. Each time you're active at this great nation that is in crisis, your words again will guide them and inspire them. There'll come a time when it's two centuries from now in such a crisis as you cannot now imagine when a president of those United States will carry these words of yours into every home throughout the land to give its nation hope and confidence. All of this shall happen if you triumph now. But why must you place this terrible responsibility upon me? I have not. The times are. Times to try their own souls. The pen. What is of the times that crime in souls would light the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot who, in this crisis, shrunk from the service of their country? O'er the town pain for the name came clocking back into the ranks when it was all over. They said, without town pain, we'd never could have won our independence. And after this, they said, never would we have been so vital to the outcome of our mighty crimes. Listen. Are the times that crime in souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot were, in this crisis, shrunk from the service of their country that he, in its times of now, deserves the loving thanks of man and woman. Timmy, like hell, isn't easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us at the hand of the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. I call it upon a few, but upon all, up and helpless, lay our shoulders to the Queen. We did the toll to the future world at the city and the country, allowing that one common danger came forth to meet and to repulse it, throwing up the burden of the day upon Providence, which show your faith by your works. But God may bless you. Now town pain, after so many years, I find you here, dead-litten. And if a certain age, if you have no regrets, you are satisfied with all that's passed, and now the day is over. Sun is going down. Give me your hand. Sun is moving like freedom. Claude Reigns and thank you Ray Collins. Ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments, we will hear from Mr. Reigns again, and also announce our program for next week. Meanwhile, in connection with our story of chemistry, Dave Gay-Hutton now quotes from the Japanese Times an advertiser. By this newspaper, a Japanese propaganda radio station recently broadcasts an effect, this threat. Aluminium recites a poem of figures about United States production. Figures, however, cannot fight. Soon, quite different figures will fill the people of America with unrest. The announcement of Andrew Reigns, among some of the things he was positive, would soon put America out of the war, a shortage of camper. America is, you have to think faster than that, Mr. Hirohito. America isn't going to have any camper shortage, thanks to chemistry. Why do our enemies hope the United States will run out of camper? Isn't camper only a drug used in medicine? No. Today, America uses 6 million pounds of camper a year. Doing one important product in which camper is used, there's the plastic made of cellulose nitrate and camper. Because of that news and other newses, a shortage of camper right now would be a serious upset, it's true. But it's true also that only a few years ago, our camper supply might easily have been cut off. Natural camper is distilled from the wood of camper trees on the island of Formosa. We've tried to drill the trees in this country, but without much success. So Japan only a few years ago could let us have as much camper as she liked or as little, and there was nothing much we Americans could do about it. In fact, the Japanese used to squeeze us over an hour and then on purpose to get the price up. In 1918, another year when we were at war, natural camper sold for $3.75 a pound. But today, America's bottle camper supply will not be curtailed. Now will the price go soaring. For eight years ago, a depart manufacturing plant began to turn out camper in quantity. How is it made? From turpentine, which is extracted from pine tree stumps of cut over southern timberland. Taking time from the stumps in a complicated chemical process becomes synthetic camper. And this chemically made camper is actually cleaner and more uniform in quality than the natural gutter. And it costs not $3.75 a pound, but something like a tenth of that amount. Most important of all, the plant is making enough of it right now to take care of all of America's essential needs. Here is a graphic and convincing illustration of practical chemistry at work. A great wartime threat to America's industrial machine has been aborted by the plant, which brings you in peacetime better things for better living through chemistry. And now, ladies and gentlemen, our star, Quad Rain. A woman named who inspired in America the world to be free, Tom Payne was outstanding. Today, every civilized nation in the world is in mighty conflict to determine once and for all time whether those who think as Tom Payne did will continue to build a better world. Or whether freedom and liberty will disappear. Thank you. Thank you, Quad Raines. Next Monday on the Cavalcade of America the department will present another original radio play. It's titled, This Side of Hades. The thrilling and romantic story of a heroine of the Revolutionary War, Molly Pitcher. The star, Loretta Young. Don't forget, next Monday night, at the same time, Loretta Young as Molly Pitcher. DuPont is happy to remind you that Quad Raines is now to be seen in the Warner Brothers production, King's Row. Great Collins will soon appear in RKO's new picture. Then it will use The Big Street. The musical score for tonight's program was composed and directed by Robert Armister. This is John Heaston sending West Wishes from DuPont.