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¬voting their country to disastrous consequences — this I think has never happened, nor is likely to happen in Armata ; because her people are so enlightened, their various classes are so happily blended with each other, and the interest in wise counsels is so universal, that a clear and general conviction of misgovernment would then and now have an irresistible effect upon the public councils however constituted ; but the great evil is in cases of doubtful policy, which the worst measures in their beginnings often are : and he must be but little acquainted with the human mind, who does not know by what de- ceptious means, even very honest and intelligent men may be brought to view questionable sub- jects in the light that best corresponds with their interest and their wishes. ¬" On the very occasion before us it was not very difficult to conceal some facts, and to over- state others, more especially when the matter to be judged of was at an immense distance, and complicated in the details; some had not ¬the ¬
