It has always been the political craft of courtiers and court-governments, to abuse something which they called republicanism; but what republicanism was, or is, they never attempt to explain.
Paine criticizes courtiers and monarchical governments for misrepresenting and failing to define republicanism.
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But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.
The thing, in many points, contained better principles than those upon which the Government had hitherto been administered; but with respect to the Cour Pleniere, it was no other than a medium through which despotism was to pass, without…
To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.