I have selected an example which relates to a time posterior to the promulgation of the present Constitution.

If I had gone back to the days of the Confederation, I might have given still more striking instances.

The whole nation was at that time in a state of enthusiastic excitement; the Revolution was represented by a man who was the idol of the people; but at that very period Congress had, to say the truth, no resources at all at its disposal.

Troops and supplies were perpetually wanting.

The best-devised projects failed in the execution, and the Union, which was constantly on the verge of destruction, was saved by the weakness of its enemies far more than by its own strength.