350 Conclujlon and Recapitulation. 
vion : but when did this happen before the morals of the peo- 
ple were corrupted to an incorrigible degree ? 
We have ftill much to hope, tho’ a great deal to fear : if 
the defence of liberty for which we have fo often bled, has ex- 
haufted vaft fums, and plunged the ftate into difficulties with 
regard to the public debt, the virtue of individuals may 
eafily remedy this evil. It is not the debt which bears moft 
heavily on us : it is not this which ffiakes the foundations of 
our fafety and happinefs. Alas, our generofity of mind, our pro- 
bity, our honor, and piety, fo effential to our prefervation, are 
fullied ; their lustre is obfcured; their dignity loft: and yet 
I would not think that the luxury and corruption, which are 
the caufes of thefe evils, are incurable : god forbid! 
Commerce, which we fo eagerly purfue, and have been fo 
much aggrandized by, is moft confefledly one of the chief 
caufes of the power and fplendor of ftates ; but we fee it is the 
fpring of luxury, and in the final iftue has often occafioned 
their ruin. We learn from the hiftory of mankind what the 
fate of the greateft kingdoms has been, and how eafily men 
betray themfelves by the means of thofe very advantages, which 
ought in reafon to infpire their hearts with gratitude, and 
obedience, to him from whom thofe advantages are derived. 
Without neglecting our wealth, we muft think ferioufly of 
other means of support. It is the curfe of this nation, that 
individuals think fo much of riches and expence, and fo lit- 
tle of every thing befide. It is not gold or filver, fhips or 
merchandize, houfes or gardens, only ; we want greater num* 
6 bers 
