When a nation changes its opinion and habits of thinking, it is no longer to be governed as before; but it would not only be wrong, but bad policy, to attempt by force what ought to be accomplished by reason. Rebellion consists in forcibly opposing the general will of a nation, whether by a party or by a government. there ought, therefore, to be in every nation a method of occasionally ascertaining the state of public opinion with respect to government.
Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man Part 2, 1792
[In theory, the method is elections. And would be a reason to oppose voter suppression laws.]
No comments:
Post a Comment