As population is one of the chief sources of wealth (for without it land itself has no value), everything which operates to prevent it must lessen the value of property; and as corporations have not only this tendency, but directly this effect, they cannot but be injurious.
In "Rights of Man," Paine argues that since population is a primary source of wealth, anything hindering it, like corporations, inevitably diminishes property value and is thus harmful.
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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.
A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.
The Parliaments on their part insisted that they had not only a right to remonstrate, but to reject; and on this ground they were always supported by the nation.