Common Sense: Applied Today- Introduction

Common Sense: Applied Today

Introduction


When many people refer to the spirit of 1776, many hearken to thoughts of a violent revolution. But a true student of this Republic is first drawn to the spirit, the underpinning thoughts of 1776. Thomas Payne published his book, or pamphlet, on January 10, 1776. This book at the time, even compared to books today, was one of the most widely circulated pieces of literature in world history.

The "Common Sense" Payne applies to the examination of the rule of kings, and proper form of Government, is as relevant today as it was in 1776. Payne starts out by acknowledging that when people have "...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...". Anytime any system becomes "custom", people will often defend it, simply because they have not examined it. Payne states that something wrong, but not examined, the people will "...raise at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom". Under honest examination, "...time makes more converts than reason".

Payne observes that so long as people, or the majority, can go along to get along, they will rarely examine the nature of the rule to which they are subject under the lens of common sense. That until aggrieved, they may not examine things "not right". That once the good people of this country are grievously oppressed, "...they have a undoubted privilege to inquire into the pretension (or reasons for)...and equally reject the usurpation."

Referring to the power held over the people by a de facto government imposed upon the people, Payne accurately states, "The cause of America is, in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected". Payne understood that the Country of America was literally the land and her people. The Government of England, through the crown, was not the Country. Today the same can be said of D.C....D.C. is not the country.The District of Columbia has come to represent, and in many ways mirrors, in deed, the same forms and functions that the crown did in 1776.


This is part of a five part series, "Common Sense: Applied Today". The rest will be posted once Marie can transcribe them. These writings can be found on www.PeasantsPerspective.com, in the Letters and Essays by Taylor section. This series was read on the DC Vigil January 25,26,27,28 and 29, 2024.