APPENDIX
TO
COMMON SENSE:
The Neceſſity of Independency.
Since the publication of the firſt edition of this pamphlet, or rather on the ſame day on which it came out, the King's Speech made its appearance in this city. Had the ſpirit of prophecy directed the birth of this production, it could not have brought it forth at a more ſeaſonable juncture, or a more neceſſary time. The bloody-mindedneſs of the one, ſhews the neceſſity of purſuing the doctrine of the other. Men read by way of revenge: And the Speech, inſtead of terrifying, prepared a way for the manly principles of Independence.
Ceremony, and even ſilence, from whatever motive they may ariſe, have a hurtful tendency, when they give the leaſt degree of countenance to baſe and wicked performances; wherefore, if this maxim be admitted, it naturally follows, that the King's Speech, as being a piece of finiſhed villainy, deſerved, and ſtill deſerves, a general execration, both by the Congreſs and the people. Yet, as the domeſtic tranquility of a nation depends greatly on the chaſtity of what may properly be called national Manners, it is often better to paſs ſome things over in ſilent diſdain, than to make uſe of ſuch new methods of diſlike, as might introduce the leaſt innovation on that guardian of our peace and ſafety. And perhaps it is chiefly owing to this prudent delicacy, that the King's Speech hath not, before now, ſuffered a public execution. The ſpeech, if it may be called one, is nothing better than a wilful, audacious libel againſt the truth, the common good, and the exiſtence of mankind; and is a formal and pompous method of offering up human ſacrifices to the pride of tyrants. But this general maſſacre of mankind is one of the privileges, and the certain conſequence of Kings; for as nature knows them not, they know not her, and although they are beings of our own creating, they know not us, and are become the gods of their creators. The ſpeech hath one good quality, which is, that it is not calculated to deceive, neither can we, even if we would, be deceived by it. Brutality and tyranny appear on the face of it. It leaves
