The Labor enquirer., 1885-04-11
place to stand upon, Fe might raise the

place to stand upon, We might raise th
world."
i The Revolution in America prasente,
IN politics what was only 4 theory il
mechanics. So deeply rooted were al
the governments of tie old world, ans
50 efectually had the tyranny and tn
antiquity ofhabit established itself owe
the mind, that no beginning could b
made in Asia, Africaor Europe. to re
form the political condition of man
Freedom had been hunted round th'
globe; reason was considered as re
bellion and the slavery of fear hac
tmade men afraid to think. 81 ssiitEiS5 .
But such is the irresistible nature o
truth, that all it asksor all it wants il
the liberty ofappearng The sun needs
no Inscription to distnauish him from
darkness, and no sooHer did the Amerl-
can governments Display themselves tc
1.-THE world than desbdsssm felt shock
aud man began to contemplate redress
AS Revolutions have begun land as
the probability is always greater against
thing beginning, than of proceeding
after il has begun J, it is natural to expect
that other Revolutions will follow. The
amazing and still increasing expenses
with which old governments are con-
Quoted, the numerous wars they engage
in or provoke. the embarrassments they
throw IN the way of universal ciyiiza
tion and commerce, and the oppression
and usurpation enacted at home, have
wearied out the patience and exhausted
the property of the world. In such a
situation, and with such examples
already existing Revolutions are to be
looked for. They are become. subjects of
universal conversation, and may be con-
sidered as the order of the day.
If Ifsystems of government can he in
troduced less expensive, and more pro-
ductlve of, general happiness, than those
which have existed, all attempts to op-
pose their progress will in the end prove
fruitless. Reason, like time, will make
its own way, and prejudice will fall in
the combat with interest. If universal
peace, harmony, civilization and COM
merce are ever to be the happy lot of
man. it cannot be accomplished but by a
Revolution in the present system of gov
ernments. All the monarchlal govern
ments are military. War is their trade,
plunder and revenue their objects. While
such governments continue, peace has
not the absolute security of day. What
is the history of all monarchial govern
ments but dlsgustful picture of human
wretchedness, and the accidental respite
of few years repose? Wearied with
war, and tired with human butchery,
they sat down to rest and called 1t peace
This certainly is not the condition that
heaven intended for man and if this he
monarchy, we'll might monarchy be
reckoned among the sins of the Jews.
The Revolutions which formerly took
place in the world, had nothing in them
that interested the bulk of mankind.
They tended only to change of per-
sons and measures, but not Of principles,
and rose or fell among the common
transactions of the moment. What we
now behold may not improperly be
called Counter Revolution" Conquest
and tyranny, at some early period, dis
possessed man of his rights, and he is
now recovering them. And as the tide
of human affairs has its ebb and flow in
directions contrary to each other. so also
is it in this, Government founded on a
moral theory, on a system of universal
peace, on the indefeasible, hereditary
rights of man, Is now revolving from
west to east by stronger impulse than
the government of the sword revolved
from east to west. 1t interests not par
tlcular individuals but nations in Its
progress, and promises New Era to the
human race. THOMAS PAINE.