The Writings of Thomas Paine, Volume II

obscurity in which the origin of all the present old governments is buried, implies the iniquity and disgrace with which they began. The origin of the present government of America

ending flocks and herds, for a banditti of ruffians to overrun a country, and lay it under contributions. Their power being thus est

s the best recorded. The hatred which the Norman invasion and tyranny begat, must have been deeply rooted in the nation, to have outl

h each had assigned to himself, and the brutality with which they treated each other explains the original character of monarchy. It was ruffian torturing ruffian. The conqueror considered the conquered, not as his prisoner, but his property. He led him in triumph rattling in chains, and doomed him, at pleasure, to slav

ade. The vice is not peculiar to one more than to another, but is the common principle of all. There does not exist within such governments

s! If we would delineate human nature with a baseness of heart and hypocrisy of countenance that reflection would shudder at and humanity disown,

llowing the plough, to lay aside his peaceful pursuit, and go to war with the farmer of another country? or what inducement has the manufacturer? What is dominion to them, or to any class of men in a nation? Does it add an acre to any man's estate, or rai

cture and commerce have made beneath such a long accumulating load of discouragement and oppression. It serves to show that instinct in animals does not act with stron