On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
Those officers, by whatever name they are called, have no authority to add to, alter, or abridge the original articles.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “Those officers, by whatever name they are called, have no authority to add to, alter, or abridge the original articles.”
Editor's note · Context
He asserts that government officials, regardless of their title, lack the authority to modify or diminish the foundational articles of the constitution.
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Jan 1, 1791
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.
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Why may we not suppose, that the great Father of all is pleased with variety of devotion; and that the greatest offence we can act, is that by which we seek to torment and render each other miserable?
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But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.
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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.