Thomas Paine: “We had once the fetters that she has now, but experience has shewn us the mistake, and thinking justly, has set us…”

To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.

It was Government dethroning Government; and the old one, by attempting to make a new one, made a chasm.

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.

A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.