On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
It was not the act of congress, because it is repugnant to the principles of representative government that a body should give power to itself.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “It was not the act of congress, because it is repugnant to the principles of representative government that a body…”
Editor's note · Context
Paine asserts that a representative body cannot legitimately grant power to itself, as such authority must originate from the people.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
Jan 1, 1791
Long experience however has shown, that reforms of this kind are not those which old governments wish to promote, and therefore it is to nations, and not to such governments, that these matters present themselves.
Jan 1, 1791
Where these can have the opportunity of acting, opposition dies with fear, or crumbles away by conviction.
Jan 1, 1791
In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.
Jan 1, 1791
Peace, which costs nothing, is attended with infinitely more advantage, than any victory with all its expense.