Nor is there amongst us a single public
security, of any quality or nature whatsoever, that is enforced by
authority. In fact, it might be easily shown that our paper wealth,
instead of lessening the real coin, has a tendency to increase it;
instead of being a substitute for money, it only facilitates its
entry, its exit, and its circulation; that it is the symbol of
prosperity, and not the badge of distress. Never was a scarcity of
cash and an exuberance of paper a subject of complaint in this nation.
Well! but a lessening of prodigal expenses, and the economy
which has been introduced by the virtuous and sapient Assembly, make
amends for the losses sustained in the receipt of revenue. In this
at least they have fulfilled the duty of a financier. Have those who
say so looked at the expenses of the National Assembly itself, of
the municipalities, of the city of Paris, of the increased pay of
the two armies, of the new police, of the new judicatures? Have they
even carefully compared the present pension list with the former?
These politicians have been cruel, not economical. Comparing the
expense of the former prodigal government and its relation to the then
revenues with the expenses of this new system as opposed to the
state of its new treasury, I believe the present will be found
beyond all comparison more chargeable.*
* The reader will observe that I have but lightly touched (my plan
demanded nothing more) on the condition of the French finances, as
connected with the demands upon them.
Pages:
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365