Question

read the excerpt from the crisis, number 1 by thomas paine.
\i once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the tories: a noted one, who kept a tavern at amboy, was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as i ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, well! give me peace in my day. not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, if there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace; and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty.\
which is a central idea of this excerpt?
○ paine feels that everyone should be able to speak freely, which is why he supports independence.
○ paine believes that colonists should fight for independence so their children can live in peace.
○ paine believes that some people are selfish and place their needs above others.
○ paine felt anger for the first time when he saw an interaction between a tory and a child.

Explanation:

The excerpt contrasts a Tory's selfish wish for peace only in his own day with the ideal of a generous parent who accepts trouble in their lifetime so their children can have peace. Paine uses this to argue for colonial duty toward independence, framing the fight as a sacrifice for future generations' peace. The other options are incorrect: free speech is not the central focus, calling some people selfish is a minor detail not the main idea, and Paine states he once felt anger, not that this was his first time feeling it.

Answer:

Paine believes that colonists should fight for independence so their children can live in peace.