Danger of augmenting the PUBLIC DEBT. 327 
them. Let them reverfe the argument, and afk themfelves, 
how they will fupport themfelves if they are plunged into po- 
verty ? Reafon and common fenfe tell us, that it is impious to 
complain of providence, that we have not five difhes of meat 
on our table ; but it is a miserable thing not to have any food 
to eat. Such has been the cafe of thofe who are prodigal in pri- 
vate life : fuch may be the fate of many who are not prodigal. 
If a tenth part of this Bland was tributary to the french* 
what numbers would hazard their lives to repell them ? And 
fhall we not retrench our expences with a view to preferve a 
tenth part of the property of our fellow-fubje&s ? Will this ge- 
neration leave their annals ftained with fo foul a blot ? Can we 
anfwer it before god ? Is not every individual, who fees and 
comprehends a proposition, to be good, good for his country* 
good upon the whole, and good to individuals, anfwerable to 
god, as well as his country, if he with-holds his affent to it ? 
Shall we run the risk of reducing fo great a number of our fel- 
low-fubje&s to a worfe condition than they might think them- 
felves in, under the moil arbitrary government ? 
We have feen in a late inftance, how much the spirit of 
benevolence a&uates men, where motives of common interefl 
are joined with thofe of humanity. Of all the various diftref- 
fes created by the tremendous earthquake at Lisbon, we do 
not hear of one fingle merchant or trader, native or foreigner, 
who has taken the advantage of the laws to enter into any 
profecutions to the deftru&ion of his neighbor. We fee that 
the good fenfe and humanity of thefe trading people, and 
their 
