And when we view a flag, which to the eye is beautiful, and to contemplate its rise and origin inspires a sensation of sublime delight, our national honor must unite with our interest to prevent injury to the one, or insult to the other.
Paine emphasizes that national honor and interest must align to protect the flag and what it represents from injury or insult.
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If, therefore, the good to be obtained be worthy of a passive, rational, and costless revolution, it would be bad policy to prefer waiting for a calamity that should force a violent one.
By the former, freedom has a national champion in the western world; and by the latter, in Europe.
The oppressed soldier will become a freeman; and the tortured sailor, no longer dragged through the streets like a felon, will pursue his mercantile voyage in safety.
Where these can have the opportunity of acting, opposition dies with fear, or crumbles away by conviction.