Is there one among this assembled multitude who would enjoy the benefit, yet basely shrink from the burthen ? The to pay, the debt which has glorious work yet remains, manfully to meet, and punctually been so wisely, so beneficently incurred. Who will venture to predict that this sacred duty will not be fully performed 1 Who can believe that the foul blot of repudiation will ever spread itself over the pure, untarnished credit of this high-spirited community ? Were this possible, the massive walls and lofty arches of this noble structure, now the city's pride,

would stand as monuments only of her degradation and shame. It is not, sir, that I believe

it possible thatunder any circumstances or under any temptation, our city or ourstate could fail for a moment to maintain its unsullied public faith, but rather that it seems peculiarly

proper on this occasion of rejoicing, to declare our firm belief that the debt incurred for the public works, not only of this city and this state, but of all ttie American communities will be, as it ought to be, paid to the utmost farthing. It is true, sir, that in some mis.

guided portions of our country, breaches of public faith have occurred, injurious to the national character and dangerous to public morals but I cannot doubt that each and ;

CROTON AQUEDUCT. 303

every of the defaulting communities which shall steadily and manfully persevere to the final completion of its works, will find in the resulting benefits, ample means for redeeming the faith plighted to the public creditor. It is in this point of view that the completion of the costly structure we this day commemorate, is replete with encouragement and instruction. Sir, let us for a moment suppose that the Municipal Legislature after incurring a heavy debt, had, in a moment of prejudice, passion, or fear, before the completion of the aqueduct, suspended its further construction.