This being admitted, it will then appear, that the exertion of the nation, at different periods, to abate that tyranny, and render it less intolerable, has been credited for a constitution.
Paine argues that the English "constitution" is merely the result of the nation's efforts over time to mitigate an original tyranny.
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They had a cause at stake, on which depended their freedom or their slavery.
It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.