This day, I trust, the reign of political protestantism will commence.  We have explored the temple of royalty, and found that the idol we have bowed down to has eyes which see not, ears that hear not our prayers, and a heart like the nether millstone.  We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men ought to be obedient.  He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought and dignity of self-direction which he bestowed on them.  From the rising to the setting sun, may his kingdom come!

Having been a slave to the influence of opinion early acquired, and distinctions generally received, I am ever inclined not to despise but pity those who are yet in darkness.  But to the eye of reason what can be more clear than that all men have an equal right to happiness?  Nature made no other distinction than that of higher and lower degrees of power of mind and body.  But what mysterious distribution of character has the craft of statesmen, more fatal than priestcraft, introduced?

According to their doctrine, the offspring of perhaps the lewd embraces of a successful invader shall, from generation to generation, arrogate the right of lavishing on their pleasures a proportion of the fruits of the earth, more than sufficient to supply the wants of thousands of their fellow-creatures; claim authority to manage them like beasts of burthen, and, without superior industry, capacity, or virtue, nay, though disgraceful to humanity by their ignorance, intemperance, and brutality, shall be deemed best calculated to frame laws and to consult for the welfare of society.

Were the talents and virtues which heaven has bestowed on men given merely to make them more obedient drudges, to be sacrificed to the follies and ambition of a few?  Or, were not the noble gifts so equally dispensed with a divine purpose and law, that they should as nearly as possible be equally exerted, and the blessings of Providence be equally enjoyed by all?  Away, then, with those absurd systems which to gratify the pride of a few debase the greater part of our species below the order of men.  What an affront to the King of the universe, to maintain that the happiness of a monster, sunk in debauchery and spreading desolation and murder among men, of a Caligula, a Nero, or a Charles, is more precious in his sight than that of millions of his suppliant creatures, who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God!  No, in the judgment of heaven there is no other superiority among men than a superiority in wisdom and virtue.  And can we have a safer model in forming ours?  The Deity, then, has not given any order or family of men authority over others; and if any men have given it, they only could give it for themselves.  Our forefathers, ’tis said, consented to be subject to the laws of Great Britain.  I will not, at present, dispute it, nor mark out the limits and conditions of their submission;