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P--\PERS OF lhRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
And those who plead it, justly merit the distrust, and reprobation of all honest men Interrogatory 2nd. Interrogary 2nd. From whence this smouldering smoke that so ob- scures the political horizon? Answer The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilerates the whole creation does not shine upon unhal- lowed, sordid, and disappointed ambition It is something that rays out of darkness and inspires nothing but gloom and mellancholly M.en in this deplorable state of mind, find a comfort in spreading the con- tagion of their spleen They strike with malignity every individual, or tear down and destroy every barrier, which may appear in the way of their progress Thus by keeping their real objects in the dark and by their enigmatic inuendoes suppress enquiry and investigation; they gain a real advantage For it is a general popular error, to imagine those who deal in mystery and are the loudest complainers for public trust, not only to be the most capable; but the most anxious for its welfare If such persons can answer the ends of relief and profit to themselves; they are apt to be careless enough about either the means or the consequences. In these days of empericism and political apostacy, when men are too apt to view their oaths of office, as mere political forms, and the office itself as a mere vehicle to furtht•r their own arnriee or e:upidity; the governed cannot be too tenacious of their reserved rights, nor too watchful of their liberties. I presume the instances are exceedingly rai:e of mens immediately passing over a clear marked line of virtue into declared vice and corruption. There is a sort of mi<ldle tints and shades between the two extremes ; there is a something uncertain on the confines of the two empires which they pass through which renders the change easy and imperceptible There is even a splendid imposi- tions, so well con -trived that at the very time the path of rectitude is quitted forever men seem to be advancing into some higher and nobler road of Conduct Not that such impositions are strong enough in themselves; but a powerful interest often concealed from those whom it effects, works at the bottom, and secures the operation Men are thus debauched away from those leg-itimate ronnexions whirh had been forme,l on a judgment early perhaps, but sufficiently mature r.ncl wholly unbiased They do not quit them for any ground of complaint, for grounds of complaint, perhaps, may exist; but upon the flattering and most dan- gerous of all principles: that of mending what is well. Gradually they are habituated to other company; and a change in their habitude soon makes way for a change in their opinions Certain persons are no longer so very frightful, when they come to be known and to be servic- able As to their old friends, the transition is easy from friendship fo civility; from civility to enmity: few are the steps from dereliction to persecution. People not very well grounded in the principles of public morality; find a set of rules, or maxims, in office ready made for them, which they assume as naturally and inevitably as any of the ensignia or instruments of the situation. A certain tone of the solid and practical is immediately acquired. EYery former profession of. public spirit is to be considered, as a debauch of youth or as a visionary scheme of unattainable perfection. The very idea of consistency is exploded. The conYenience of the business of the day is to furnish the
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