Question

In this excerpt from Common Sense, Thomas Paine lists the groups that prefer an alliance with Great Britain over living in a free country. What is his purpose for doing so?
Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who CANNOT see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this Continent than all the other three.

Answer 1

In the above excerpt from Common Sense, Thomas Paine the groups that prefer an alliance with Great Britain over living in a free country is:

to emphasize that reconciling with Great Britain is misguided and will cause greater suffering for the colonists

Thomas Paine didn’t agree with the fact that Great Britain has always benefited the colonies and will ever benefit them in the future. He opposes the fact that it will provide security and protection to the colonized countries. Paine was of the opinion that independence and freedom is a must for the well being of America and for its people. He wanted to abolish British rule and wanted support from his people. He calls his people to be moving on a misguided path and asks them to move on the path to get freedom.

Answer 2

Thomas Paine's listing of the groups that prefer an alliance with Great Britain over living in a free country is that of the purpose of persuading or convincing some people to see what he sees - that is, that these reconciling groups who join the alliance are seen as cowards and prefer to be imprisoned by the relationship.