The origin of the present government of America and France will ever be remembered, because it is honourable to record it; but with respect to the rest, even Flattery has consigned them to the tomb of time, without an inscription.
In "Rights of Man," Paine contrasts the transparent and honorable origins of the American and French governments with the obscure and inglorious beginnings of older monarchies.
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It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.
To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.