I don't know, do you?

by Marilla M. Ricker

First suggested "the religion of humanity";

First proposed and first wrote the words, "United States of America";

Founder of the first Ethical Society;

Proposed the purchase of the Louisiana Territory;

Inventor of the iron bridge, the hollow candle—principle of the modern central-draft burner, etc., etc.

Died June 9, 1809.

This is history. But this great and good man was called "a filthy little atheist" by a hyphenated Dutch-American.