Gazette Of The United States

NATIONAL MONITOR.--No.XXVIII.

"Truth and Fidelity are the pillars of the State;
If any blind Sampson break but these, the fabric falls,
and crushes all to pieces."

It is of the last importance to the honor and stability of our national government, that its foundations should be laid in faith and justice. In order to this, the public engagements should be made with great caution and reserve; and so within the limits of fair, and probable calculation, that the performance may, if possible, always exceed, but never fall short of expectation. A punctual man is an anchor to his friends, and connections; but confidence in the public should be an immovable pyramid of trust, that cannot fail. Whether the Continental or State Governments, have in times past, been profuse in their promises, and remiss in the discharge of them, need not be enquired into: but certain it is, that the public has not been considered, as in sound policy it should have been, the most eligible creditor; and from this want of confidence in the public faith, the debts of our country have been contracted on such terms, as have amazingly augmented their amount.

From this dear bought experience, a very important lesson may be learned: and that is, not to make a single engagement, beyond our abilities. Such a determination, it is true, may dissolve the airy visions of many plethoric system-mongers, and sanguine speculators; but it is the only line of prudence and success. The reflecting, substantial creditors of the nation will appreciate the merit of such a resolution, as the only safe and effectual mode of establishing the public credit, and placing the United States upon such a footing, as will enable them to make their future contracts upon terms of equity and common justice:

The United States are doubtless in possession of resources commensurate to their demands: but these resources are many of them latent; and tho' of such a nature, as cannot leave a doubt upon the mind of any person of reflection and understanding, of their Sufficiency, and permanency; yet, they will require time to be brought into full operation. The public exigencies may seem to require immediate and extraordinary exertions; but the point of ability, is the point of utility; and unduly straining upon the patriotism of the country, in order to realize an object not easily within our reach, will place this most desirable event, the establishment of the public credit, in a perilous situation. The creditors of the Union, and of the respective States, will doubtless prefer a system of certainty, upon a scale, within the compass of the public ability, to a widely extended circle of paper promises that must finally be lost in the sea of speculation. What cannot be performed should never be promised: for, as one of the ancients hath said, the people that violate their promises, make the Gods their enemies.