In Thomas Paine's Common Sense piece, he speaks about society and government. His words depict the alteration of government and society. This piece is strong and informative. Paine describes government as being "... but a necessary evil [in best state] in its worst state an intolerable one" (Paine). This conveys many American's thought process on government and its prominence in society. Government is described by Paine as being "intolerable." This statement is strong for its time of publication. Government was greatly adapting and this statement only reflects many citizens objections toward Monarchy and society. The piece allowed audiences to maintain the belief that war against Britain was possible.
Many people's objections toward Monarchy and the king are depicted through Paine's piece. Paine believed that government was not tolerable and the Monarchy divided various bystanders into social classes. In the following quote, Paine describes his discontent with the Monarchy:
"Some writers have explained the English constitution thus; the king, say they, is one, the people another; the peers are an house in behalf of the king; the commons in behalf of the people; but this hath all the distinctions of an house divided against itself; and though the expressions be pleasantly arranged, yet when examined they appear idle and ambiguous; and it will always happen, that the nicest construction that words are capable of, when applied to the description of something which either cannot exist, or is too incomprehensible to be within the compass of description, will be words of sound only, and though they may amuse the ear, they cannot inform the mind, for this explanation includes a previous question, viz. How came the king by a power which the people are afraid to trust, and always obliged to check? Such a power could not be the gift of a wise people, neither can any power, which needs checking, be from God; yet the provision, which the constitution makes, supposes such a power to exist." (Paine)
"But the provision is unequal to the task; the means either cannot or will not accomplish the end, and the whole affair is a felo de se; for as the greater weight will always carry up the less, and as all the wheels of a machine are put in motion by one, it only remains to know which power in the constitution has the most weight, for that will govern; and though the others, or a part of them, may clog, or, as the phrase is, check the rapidity of its motion, yet so long as they cannot stop it, their endeavors will be ineffectual; the first moving power will at last have its way, and what it wants in speed is supplied by time." (Paine)
"That the crown is this overbearing part in the English constitution needs not be mentioned, and that it derives its whole consequence merely from being the giver of places pensions is self evident, wherefore, though we have and wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the crown in possession of the key." (Paine)
This statement conveys the objection toward the Monarchy and the social classes. Paine believes social classes did not effectively govern society and that the United States should withdraw from such style. Paine also believes the crown was "overbearing." The piece speaks about the crown's absolute control over the bystanders. This control is ineffective and intolerable. Paine speaks about his strong discontent with an Absolute Monarchy. He believes such control should not reside in one mans hands. This response is quite significant, especially in todays society. The significance of this piece allows many to understand the unhappiness and objections toward the Monarchy and its complete control over thousands.
I completely agree with Paine's piece. I feel that his work displays the objections that many had toward the crown and Monarchy in general. This piece will also display the repercussions of acting in an absolutely controlled environment.
Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense." Common Sense, Philadelphia (1791). W. and T. Bradford. Archiving Early America, 2010. Online. 18October, 2010.
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