It is perfectly intelligible to persons of
all ranks, and it speaks with energy to the sturdy feelings of
uncultivated nature. The sentiments of the writer are stern, and we
think even rancorous to the mother country. They may be the sentiments
of a patriot, they are not certainly those of a philosopher.
Mr. Paine has thought fit to offer some advice to his countrymen in the
present juncture, in which, according to some, they stand in
considerable need of it. The performance is not unworthy of the other
productions of this author. It has the same virtues and the same
defects. We have extracted the following passage, as one of the most
singular and interesting.
"America has but one enemy, and that is England. Of the English
it behoves us always to be jealous. We ought to cultivate
harmony and good understanding with every other power upon
earth. The necessity of this caution will be easily shewn. For
1. The united states of America were subject to the government
of England. True, they have acknowledged our independence. But
pride first struggled as much as she could, and sullenness held
off as long as she dare. They have withdrawn their claim upon
our obedience, but do you think they have forgot it? To this
hour their very news-papers talk daily of dissentions between
colony and colony, and the disaffection of this and of that to
the continental interest.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210