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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
in this time of dark adversity, that will better our situation, or clear our reputation. It is an erect countenance; it is a firm adherance to principle; it is power of resisting false shame and frivolous fear, that assert our good faith and honor, and asserve to us the confidence of mankind Let us then not seek a reffuge from our fears in the fears themselves and temporizing meaness as our only source for safety; but let us resort to 1·eason, though it may be perverted by craft and sofistry; for reason can suffer no loss nor shame, nor can it impede any useful plan of future policy The body politick is fearfully dis- eased; visit the patient speedily, consult and ascertain her true situ- tation, apply the wanted remedies, and if gangrene appears fearlessly resort to amputation ere the constitution becomes affected which may result in aeath Ship an honest captain on board the government barque, who will correct the log, and pursue the Constitutional chart; and notwithsanding [sic] she has received much damage in her hull and rigging, her timbers are sound, she will weather the storm, throw the broad penant again to the breeze, and the lone star now shrouded under the dark veil of political apostacy will again be in the ascende1n, and shine forth as a brilliant Old Setler No. 2177 [1844] "OLD SETTLER." TO THE EDITOR OF -? Mr. Editor, Enclosed I send you a manuscript containing two chap- ters on political quackery The first under the head of "public domain" This subject I have only touched incidentally with a hope that some more able and competent expositor would take up the matter and do it justice The other headed "Seat of Government" I have treated more at length Which among many other things gives the historic, facts of record, on which the parody &C &C was founded These chapters contains matters of history touching the origin of our Constitution which may perhaps be entirely now to many of our readers; and the second chapter, particularly, contains historic, record, and other facts, well worthy the attention of. whole Republic And however dry long and uninteresting it may seem at first sight; it should be carefully read by all, as they will find matters of vital interest in which the whole Republic are directly and vitally interested; as it makes developments, of no ordinary Character, and by which the liber- ties of a whole Nation have been betrayed by acts of treachery and villany unsurpassed in modern times It is hoped a candid reflectin~ and unprejudiced public will give this subject that investigation and consideration which its importance demands, and be governed accord- ingly And whether the writer receives censure or favor from an en- lightened community, to whom he appeals, he will at least possess in~ nate assurances of having performed an unpleasant, but imperitive duty to his country, without prejudice fear or favor Old Setler P. S. Please excuse the scroll. as paper is scarce I was compelled to use a soiled sheet which you will overlook Some orrors and misprints
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