Thomas Paine: “The best constitution that could now be devised, consistent with the condition of the present moment, may be far short…”

A constitution is not a thing in name only, but in fact.

When it becomes necessary to do anything, the whole heart and soul should go into the measure, or not attempt it.

The meaning, then, good people, of all this, is: That government is governed by no principle whatever; that it can make evil good, or good evil, just as it pleases.

Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.