I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs.
Abigail is pointing out a contradiction in the revolutionary mindset. This shows that thoughtful colonists were fully aware of the hypocrisy of fighting a war for "liberty" from Britain while keeping enslaved people and denying basic legal rights to married women at home.
a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.
This explains why it took so long for regular colonists to rebel. Everyone grew up being taught that obeying the King was a religious and social duty. Paine's words helped people realize they didn't have to accept unfair laws just because "that's how things have always been."
The others perceiving it, cried out, ‘Hand the ladies a plate of honey.’ This was immediately done with officious haste, no doubt thinking they were very generous in treating us with our own
The soldiers stole everything of value but acted "polite" while doing it. This shows how people had to just deal with enemy troops to keep the peace.
After such unwelcome visitors, it is not surprising that the unprotected women could not eat or sleep in peace. They lay in their clothes every night, alarmed by the least noise; while the days were spent in anxiety and melancholy…
How did this constant fear ruin the daily lives of regular families? How could a family ever feel safe again when their private home could be broken into at any moment?