"I call not upon a few but upon all—not on this state or that state, but on every state—up and help us. . . . Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and repulse it." Paine's purpose in issuing this plea is to draw attention to the differences that exist among colonists from different states. unite the colonists in support of continuing the fight for independence. encourage the colonists to wait for better times in the spring. warn the colonists of the danger of a British attack during the winter months.