[The Writings of Thomas Paine<br> Volume II by Thomas Paine]@TWC D-Link book
The Writings of Thomas Paine
Volume II

CHAPTER III
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OF THE OLD AND NEW SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.
Nothing can appear more contradictory than the principles on which the old governments began, and the condition to which society, civilisation and commerce are capable of carrying mankind.

Government, on the old system, is an assumption of power, for the aggrandisement of itself; on the new, a delegation of power for the common benefit of society.
The former supports itself by keeping up a system of war; the latter promotes a system of peace, as the true means of enriching a nation.
The one encourages national prejudices; the other promotes universal society, as the means of universal commerce.

The one measures its prosperity, by the quantity of revenue it extorts; the other proves its excellence, by the small quantity of taxes it requires.
Mr.Burke has talked of old and new whigs.

If he can amuse himself with childish names and distinctions, I shall not interrupt his pleasure.


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