, 1842-05-21
Dialogue of the Dead.
George Washington, Thomas Jc6erSOn,
alexander Hamilton, Joseph
HopkinSOn.

Washington, just emerging from Won
der grave? He seems 10 be a stran-
ger in these realms. have not seen
him before in the Elysian fields.
Observation-Disclosures he has
just arrived from the earth, let us go
and inquire if he brings any news
from America.
1.-The last accounts have filled
me with anxiety about the United
States.
W.-So they have me-thc per-
manency Of the government and in
s%tltutions, which you (Jefferson) and
l devoted our lives whilst On earth TO
establish, begins now to be doubted
by the most discerning mortals who
have lately come amongst US.
mo wonder-cvery account
represents the state Of public morals
to have become SO bad, that often
bribery is constantly practised in pro-
curing laws 10 be passed, and legisIa-
tive bills arc bargained for and sold
like bills of exchange.
W.-Eiere comes Hamilton, let US
hear what his opinion is of the state
of public virtue in the United States.
Hamilt0n.-Inever had much con,
fdence in the virtue of the people.
and you may recollect, Washington,
that always doubted the practicable
ty of establishing a permanent de-
mocracy in the United States. |
would have preferred 4 stronger gov
eminent, but yielded 10 the popular
clamor and the voice OF many men
wiser than myself. But, | confess,
that the course of events in the Uni
ted States within the past few years
begins to resusitate my old opinion.
WashingtOn.-Heaven forbid that
your fears should be realized-but let
us address the stranger. We well
come you TO the land of bliss, stran-
ger, soon to become our friend. |
am Washington, what news do YOU
bring from the earth.
Hopkinson.-It was needless for You
to tell me that | had met the shade of
Washington; | knew you whilst yet
far of. This is indeed happiness, to
live in the same realm with you.-
With respect to news from earth,
what | have to say relative to our
own country will not fear please
you. The patriotism that sustained
it whilst you were on earth has alto
gether fled, politics, instead of being
an instrument to cur the happiness
and prosperity of the people, have
degeneratedsinto 4 most disreputable
trade, very few engaging in it ex-
cept from the most selfish and MERGE
nary views. Self-aggrandizement.
petty ambition, and rank corruption
characterize the legislators and poll.
ticians who now rule the country.
and make havoc of the institutions,
to establish which, you and your CO.
laborers deToted lives constantly ex.
ercised in self-denial, hardships and
privations. The only patriotism
found among u modern statesmen,
with few exceptions) is of that
kind which leads each man to make
the most money out of the public
trust cenfided to him. The motto Of
you of the revolution was,
"Dulce ct dscorum est pro patria mort"
which the American patriots of the
present day have strangely
to mean,
snake hay whilst the sun Shines"
Hdmilton.-Hai Ha! Ha! Your
words remind me Of Hopkinson, the
witty signer of the Declaration OF
independence.
Hopkinson.--He was my father
l have just left him in yonder grave.
Washington. Hamilton, jefferson.
Welcome! thrice welcome! TO these
abodes. Your father is one of US,
and you too must henceforth be our
companion.
Hopkinson.-Thank Heaven!
Jeferson.--I would wish to be in
formed more particularly concerning
the state Of things in the United
States when you left the EARTH
What was Congress doing?
Hopkinson.-The members were
amusing themselves in settling petty
squabbles among individual members,
who may possibly have knocked each
other down, or spit in each others
face ia the Legislative halls.
Hamilton.-Where is the ~eloquence
that was as powerful as the sword
in achieving the revolution?
Hopkinson.-Ifit has survived you
it isnot found in Congress-there may
be some rude, dangerous talent there,
but the soul Of public virtue and pa
triotism is wanting. Congress has
so utterly degraded itself by these
means and the total neglect of the
puhlic n,SineSS IN CO patbipr Of tho