53
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
lation flocked in from every quarter and a town sprung up as if by magic Lots were sold at high prices and buildings erected by individ- uals at immense cost, on the faith of the government pledge One Executive officer completed his term there, and every thing appeared in a flourishing and prosperous condition And I may truly say that no Town on the continent of its age, could surpass it for female beauty, vivacity and accomplishments The arts and sciences had made a fair commencment And the truly spartan band of patriotic citizens com- prising its population, ever in readiness to afford protection to the fair city, and the public institutions of their country;- and to avoid danger was ever ready and willing to meet it plump The different depart- ments, and public offices of the government, were filled with a set of young gentlemen, acting as assistants and clerks, whose capacity, ur- banity, and gentlemanly deportment, would do credit to any govern- ment in the world But alas! alas! how transitory and fleeting are. all sublunary things The things that were have passed off as the summer cloud or the dews of the morning, never again to return. Where now is the seat of government? Where now are the public buildings comprising all the necessary offices and fixtures which cost the government so much money? Where now are the public archiyes comprizing the evidences of all the land titles in the Country? Where now are the public stores-the public armament, which cost the gov- ernment so much, and so essentially necessary to her defence? And finally where now are those public spirited citizens, who once filled with the hum of human life, the now deserted streets of the new city; who have been ruined in fortune by their reliance on the plighted faith of the government? Echo responds from the contiguous mountains where are they? Why this great, this sudden change, from prosperity to adversity? From whence this smouldering smoke which so obscures the political horizon? Why are those evils thrown upon us, and what have been the incentives? These questions naturally present themselves to every think- ing man much more readily than their solution. Things may be seen differently and differently shewn; but actions are visible though motives iJre secret As every thing connected with the government is involved in darkness incertitude and doubt, to scatter praise, or blame, without regard to justice is to destroy the distinction of good and evil. Many have no other list of actions than general opinion; and all are so in- fluenced by a sense of reputation, that they are often restrained by fear of reproach, and excited by hope of favor or honor, when other principles have lost their power I admit that the reasons of state will not, under all circum- stances permit the disclosure of the true ground of a public proceeding. In that case silence is manly and it is wise It is fair to call for trust when the principle of reason itself suspends its public use · I take the distinction to be this ;-the ground of a particular measure, making part of a plan, it is rarely proper to divulge; all the broader grounds of policy, on which the g-C'neral plan is to be adopted ought as rarelv to be concealed. They who have not the whole cause before them, call them politicians, call them people, call them what you will, are no judges. The difficulties of the case as well as its fair side, ought to be presented. This ought to be done, and it is all that can be done.
Powered by FlippingBook