This is their alchemy.
There are some follies which baffle argument, which go beyond
ridicule, and which excite no feeling in us but disgust; and therefore
I say no more upon it.
It is as little worth remarking any further upon all their drawing
and re-drawing on their circulation for putting off the evil day, on
the play between the treasury and the Caisse d'Escompte, and on all
these old, exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud now exalted
into policy of state. The revenue will not be trifled with. The
prattling about the rights of men will not be accepted in payment
for a biscuit or a pound of gunpowder. Here then the metaphysicians
descend from their airy speculations and faithfully follow examples.
What examples? The examples of bankrupts. But defeated, baffled,
disgraced, when their breath, their strength, their inventions,
their fancies desert them, their confidence still maintains its
ground. In the manifest failure of their abilities, they take credit
for their benevolence. When the revenue disappears in their hands,
they have the presumption, in some of their late proceedings, to value
themselves on the relief given to the people. They did not relieve the
people. If they entertained such intentions, why did they order the
obnoxious taxes to be paid? The people relieved themselves in spite of
the Assembly.
But waiving all discussion on the parties who may claim the
merit of this fallacious relief, has there been, in effect, any relief
to the people in any form? Mr.
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