ge of policy give us evidence that you are returned to manhood
and honour. The inventors of such councils can never be forgiven in this
world, but the people at large who acted by their guidance may break from
the connection and restore themselves to virtue.

There are among you legislators eminent, through the union for their
wisdom and integrity. Penetrated with grief and astonishment they stand in
silence, waiting the return of your reason. They are the only men who can
remove the impassable gulph that is between you and the rest of mankind.
In your situation there must be some sacrifice. It is required by the
necessity of the case, and for the dignity of government. You have guilty
victims enough for whom even benevolence will not plead; let them make the
atonement and save your state. The large body of a people are rarely
guilty of any crime greater than indiscretion, in following those who have
no qualification to lead but an unblushing assurance infraud. Acknowledge
the indiscretion, and leave those whom you have followed into the
quicksands of death to the infamy prepared for them, and from which they
cannot be reserved. Your situation admits no compounding of opposite
systems, or halving with justice, but to make the cure there must be an
entire change of measures. The Creator of nature and its laws made justice
as necessary for nations as for individuals, and this necessity hath been
sealed by the fate of all obstinate offenders. If you will not hear your
own groans, nor feel the pangs of your own torture, it must continue until
removed by a political annihilation. Such as do not pity themselves cannot
be long be pitied.

Determined that our feelings shall be no longer wounded by any thing to
which despair may lead you, with philosophic coolness we wait to continue
our speculations on the event.

A LANDHOLDER.

The Landholder, XIII.

The Connecticut Courant, (Number 1209)

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1788.

The attempt to amend our federal Constitution, which for some time past
hath engrossed the public regard, is doubtless become an old and unwelcome
topic to many readers, whose opinions are fixed, or who are concerned for
the event. There are other subjects which claim a share of attention, both
from the public and from private citizens. It is good government which
secures the fruits of industry and virtue; but the best system of
government cannot produce general happiness unless the people are
virtuou