Besides, it is their own estates and property, their own rights, liberties and government, that they are defending; and were they not to do it, they would deserve to lose all, and none would pity them.
Paine asserts that Americans are defending their fundamental rights and property, implying that failure to do so would be a dereliction of duty.
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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.
Nothing can be more terrible to a Court or Courtier than the Revolution of France.
To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.