Thomas Paine: “The object, in all such preliminary proceedings, is to find out what the general sense of a nation is, and to be…”

He must now show that every one in the line of hereditary succession was a Solomon, or his title is not good to be a king.

In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.

Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.

He writes neither in the character of a Frenchman nor an Englishman, but in the fawning character of that creature known in all countries, and a friend to none--a courtier.