Never was there a jar or discord between genuine sentiment and sound
policy. Never, no never, did Nature say one thing and Wisdom say
another. Nor are sentiments of elevation in themselves turgid and
unnatural. Nature is never more truly herself than in her grandest form.
The Apollo of Belvedere (if the universal robber has yet left him
at Belvedere) is as much in nature as any figure from the pencil of
Rembrandt, or any clown in the rustic revels of Teniers. Indeed, it
is when a great nation is in great difficulties that minds must exalt
themselves to the occasion, or all is lost. Strong passion, under the
direction of a feeble reason, feeds a low fever, which serves only
to destroy the body that entertains it. But vehement passion does not
always indicate an infirm judgment. It often accompanies, and actuates,
and is even auxiliary to a powerful understanding; and when they both
conspire and act harmoniously, their force is great to destroy disorder
within, and to repel injury from abroad. If ever there was a time that
calls on us for no vulgar conception of things, and for exertions in no
vulgar strain, it is the awful hour that Providence has now appointed
to this nation. Every little measure is a great error; and every great
error will bring on no small ruin. Nothing can be directed above the
mark that we must aim at: everything below it is absolutely thrown away.