[originaltext] Now we’ve been talking about the revolutionary period in the

Now we’ve been talking about the revolutionary period in the United States history when the colonies wanted to separate from England. I’d like to mention one point about the very famous episode from that period, a point I think is pretty relevant even today. I’m sure you remember, from when you are children, the story of Paul Revere’s famous horseback ride to the Massachusetts countryside. In that version, he single-headily alerted the people that ’the British were coming’. We have this image of us solitary rider galloping（飞驰的）along of the dark from one farm house to another. And of course the story emphasized the courage of one man, made him a hero in our history books, right? But, that rather romantic version of the story is not what actually happened that night. In fact, that version misses the most important point entirely. Paul Revere was only one of the many riders helping deliver the messages that night. Just one part of a pre-arrange plan, that was thought out well in advance in preparation for just such an emergency. I don’t mean to diminish Revere’s role though. He was actually an important organizer and promoter of this group effort for freedom. His mid-night rider didn’t just go knocking on farm house doors. They also awaken the institutions of New England. They went from town to town and engage the town leaders, the military commanders and volunteer groups, even church leaders, people who would then continue to spread the word. My point is that Paul Revere and his political party understood, probably more clearly than later generations ever have, that political institutions are theirs a kind of medium for the will of people and also to both build on and support the individual action. They knew the success requires careful planning and organization. The way they went about the work that night made a big difference in the history and this country.