Horace Binney's Pamphlets [pp. 641-647]

Horace Binney's Pamphlets.
should guide them in the political career now begun in history,
and initiated by himself. In the solicitude which he felt about
this advice and warning to his countrymen, he called to his aid
a friend, whom he had found wise and faithful in his whole
public life. As nothing of importance in public affairs ever
transpires without being more or less misrepresented, the formation of Washington's Farewell has been, by some, made a matter
of reproach to Washington, and by others, to Hamilton, who
was the adviser. It is to clear up this misrepresentation that
Mr. Binney has written the book before us. And he has
accomplished his purpose, and placed the question, once and for
ever, on the foundation of truth, leaving Washington's wisdom
unimpaired, and Hamilton's honour unsullied.
Ours is not a political journal; but it is within its scope to
treat occasionally of the great principles upon which our institutions and social order repose. And because a spirit of disappointment may seem to darken the picture which we have presented, it must not be inferred that we despair of the Republic.
No nation ever yet perished on the threshold of her history.
Degenerate times have come to all nations, and must come to
ours. But under the merciful providence of God, we have
confidence in the fulfilment of a great end by our country.
We cannot close without expressing regret, that so masterly
a writer as Mr. Binney should have given so much of his time
to the labours of his profession, and not spared more to literature and mankind.
647
1860.]