As to others, who are plain practical men, they have been guiltless at all times of all public pretence.  Neither the author nor any one else has reason to be angry with them.  They belonged to his friend for their interest; for their interest they quitted him; and when it is their interest, he may depend upon it, they will return to their former connection.  Such people subsist at all times, and, though the nuisance of all, are at no time a worthy subject of discussion.  It is false virtue and plausible error that do the mischief.

If men come to government with right dispositions, they have not that unfavorable subject which this author represents to work upon.  Our circumstances are indeed critical; but then they are the critical circumstances of a strong and mighty nation.  If corruption and meanness are greatly spread, they are not spread universally.  Many public men are hitherto examples of public spirit and integrity.  Whole parties, as far as large bodies can be uniform, have preserved character.  However they may be deceived in some particulars, I know of no set of men amongst us, which does not contain persons on whom the nation, in a difficult exigence, may well value itself.  Private life, which is the nursery of the commonwealth, is yet in general pure, and on the whole disposed to virtue; and the people at large want neither generosity nor spirit.  No small part of that very luxury, which is so much the subject of the author’s declamation, but which, in most parts of life, by being well balanced and diffused, is only decency and convenience, has perhaps as many, or more good than evil consequences attending it.  It certainly excites industry, nourishes emulation, and inspires some sense of personal value into all ranks of people.  What we want is to establish more fully an opinion of uniformity, and consistency of character, in the leading men of the state; such as will restore some confidence to profession and appearance, such as will fix subordination upon esteem.  Without this, all schemes are begun at the wrong end.  All who join in them are liable to their consequences.  All men who, under whatever pretext, take a part in the formation or the support of systems constructed in such a manner as must, in their nature, disable them from the execution of their duty, have made themselves guilty of all the present distraction, and of the future ruin, which they may bring upon their country.

It is a serious affair, this studied disunion in government.  In cases where union is most consulted in the constitution of a ministry, and where persons are best disposed to promote it, differences, from the various ideas of men, will arise; and from their passions will often ferment into violent heats, so as greatly to disorder all public business.  What must be the consequence, when the very distemper is made the basis of the constitution; and the original weakness of human nature is still further enfeebled by art and contrivance?  It must