Speech is, in the first place, one of the natural rights of man always retained; and with respect to the National Assembly the use of it is their duty, and the nation is their authority.
Paine declares that freedom of speech is a natural right, and for the National Assembly, exercising it is a duty derived from the nation's authority.
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The American constitutions were to liberty what a grammar is to language: they define its parts of speech, and practically construct them into syntax.
They form a common policy throughout Europe, detached and separate from the interest of Nations: and while they appear to quarrel, they agree to plunder.
To account for this sudden transition, it is proper to observe that there are two distinct species of popularity; the one excited by merit, and the other by resentment.