TheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesislikethoseexquisiteproductionsofhumanindustrywhichensurewealthandrenowntotheirinventors，butwhichareprofitlessinanyotherhands。ThistruthisexemplifiedbytheconditionofMexicoatthepresenttime。TheMexicansweredesirousofestablishingafederalsystem，andtheytooktheFederalConstitutionoftheirneighbors，theAnglo—Americans，astheirmodel，andcopieditwithconsiderableaccuracy。*sButalthoughtheyhadborrowedtheletterofthelaw，theywereunabletocreateortointroducethespiritandthesensewhichgiveitlife。Theywereinvolvedinceaselessembarrassmentsbetweenthemechanismoftheirdoublegovernment;thesovereigntyoftheStatesandthatoftheUnionperpetuallyexceededtheirrespectiveprivileges，andenteredintocollision;andtothepresentdayMexicoisalternatelythevictimofanarchyandtheslaveofmilitarydespotism。
　　[Footnotes:SeetheMexicanConstitutionof1824。]
　　ThesecondandthemostfatalofallthedefectsIhavealludedto，andthatwhichIbelievetobeinherentinthefederalsystem，istherelativeweaknessofthegovernmentoftheUnion。Theprincipleuponwhichallconfederationsrestisthatofadividedsovereignty。Thelegislatormayrenderthispartitionlessperceptible，hemayevenconcealitforatimefromthepubliceye，buthecannotpreventitfromexisting，andadividedsovereigntymustalwaysbelesspowerfulthananentiresupremacy。ThereaderhasseenintheremarksIhavemadeontheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesthattheAmericanshavedisplayedsingularingenuityincombiningtherestrictionofthepoweroftheUnionwithinthenarrowlimitsofafederalgovernmentwiththesemblanceand，toacertainextent，withtheforceofanationalgovernment。BythismeansthelegislatorsoftheUnionhavesucceededindiminishing，thoughnotincounteractingthenaturaldangerofconfederations。
　　IthasbeenremarkedthattheAmericanGovernmentdoesnotapplyitselftotheStates，butthatitimmediatelytransmitsitsinjunctionstothecitizens，andcompelsthemasisolatedindividualstocomplywithitsdemands。ButiftheFederallawweretoclashwiththeinterestsandtheprejudicesofaState，itmightbefearedthatallthecitizensofthatStatewouldconceivethemselvestobeinterestedinthecauseofasingleindividualwhoshouldrefusetoobey。IfallthecitizensoftheStatewereaggrievedatthesametimeandinthesamemannerbytheauthorityoftheUnion，theFederalGovernmentwouldvainlyattempttosubduethemindividually;theywouldinstinctivelyuniteinacommondefence，andtheywouldderiveaready—preparedorganizationfromtheshareofsovereigntywhichtheinstitutionoftheirStateallowsthemtoenjoy。Fictionwouldgivewaytoreality，andanorganizedportionoftheterritorymightthencontestthecentralauthority。*tThesameobservationholdsgoodwithregardtotheFederaljurisdiction。IfthecourtsoftheUnionviolatedanimportantlawofaStateinaprivatecase，thereal，ifnottheapparent，contestwouldarisebetweentheaggrievedStaterepresentedbyacitizenandtheUnionrepresentedbyitscourtsofjustice。*u[Footnotet:[Thisispreciselywhatoccurredin1862，andthefollowingparagraphdescribescorrectlythefeelingsandnotionsoftheSouth。GeneralLeeheldthathisprimaryallegiancewasdue，nottotheUnion，buttoVirginia。]]
　　[Footnoteu:Forinstance，theUnionpossessesbytheConstitutiontherightofsellingunoccupiedlandsforitsownprofit。SupposingthattheStateofOhioshouldclaimthesamerightinbehalfofcertainterritorieslyingwithinitsboundaries，uponthepleathattheConstitutionreferstothoselandsalonewhichdonotbelongtothejurisdictionofanyparticularState，andconsequentlyshouldchoosetodisposeofthemitself，thelitigationwouldbecarriedoninthenamesofthepurchasersfromtheStateofOhioandthepurchasersfromtheUnion，andnotinthenamesofOhioandtheUnion。ButwhatwouldbecomeofthislegalfictioniftheFederalpurchaserwasconfirmedinhisrightbythecourtsoftheUnion，whilsttheothercompetitorwasorderedtoretainpossessionbythetribunalsoftheStateofOhio？]
　　Hewouldhavebutapartialknowledgeoftheworldwhoshouldimaginethatitispossible，bytheaidoflegalfictions，topreventmenfromfindingoutandemployingthosemeansofgratifyingtheirpassionswhichhavebeenleftopentothem;anditmaybedoubtedwhethertheAmericanlegislators，whentheyrenderedacollisionbetweenthetwosovereignslessprobable，destroyedthecauseofsuchamisfortune。ButitmayevenbeaffirmedthattheywereunabletoensurethepreponderanceoftheFederalelementinacaseofthiskind。TheUnionispossessedofmoneyandoftroops，buttheaffectionsandtheprejudicesofthepeopleareinthebosomoftheStates。ThesovereigntyoftheUnionisanabstractbeing，whichisconnectedwithbutfewexternalobjects;thesovereigntyoftheStatesishourlyperceptible，easilyunderstood，constantlyactive;andiftheformerisofrecentcreation，thelatteriscoevalwiththepeopleitself。ThesovereigntyoftheUnionisfactitious，thatoftheStatesisnatural，andderivesitsexistencefromitsownsimpleinfluence，liketheauthorityofaparent。Thesupremepowerofthenationonlyaffectsafewofthechiefinterestsofsociety;itrepresentsanimmensebutremotecountry，andclaimsafeelingofpatriotismwhichisvagueandilldefined;buttheauthorityoftheStatescontrolseveryindividualcitizenateveryhourandinallcircumstances;itprotectshisproperty，hisfreedom，andhislife;andwhenwerecollectthetraditions，thecustoms，theprejudicesoflocalandfamiliarattachmentwithwhichitisconnected，wecannotdoubtofthesuperiorityofapowerwhichisinterwovenwitheverycircumstancethatrenderstheloveofone’snativecountryinstinctiveinthehumanheart。
　　Sincelegislatorsareunabletoobviatesuchdangerouscollisionsasoccurbetweenthetwosovereigntieswhichcoexistinthefederalsystem，theirfirstobjectmustbe，notonlytodissuadetheconfederateStatesfromwarfare，buttoencouragesuchinstitutionsasmaypromotethemaintenanceofpeace。HenceitresultsthattheFederalcompactcannotbelastingunlessthereexistsinthecommunitieswhichareleaguedtogetheracertainnumberofinducementstounionwhichrendertheircommondependenceagreeable，andthetaskoftheGovernmentlight，andthatsystemcannotsucceedwithoutthepresenceoffavorablecircumstancesaddedtotheinfluenceofgoodlaws。Allthepeopleswhichhaveeverformedaconfederationhavebeenheldtogetherbyacertainnumberofcommoninterests，whichservedastheintellectualtiesofassociation。
　　Butthesentimentsandtheprinciplesofmanmustbetakenintoconsiderationaswellashisimmediateinterests。AcertainuniformityofcivilizationisnotlessnecessarytothedurabilityofaconfederationthanauniformityofinterestsintheStateswhichcomposeit。InSwitzerlandthedifferencewhichexistsbetweentheCantonofUriandtheCantonofVaudisequaltothatbetweenthefifteenthandthenineteenthcenturies;and，properlyspeaking，Switzerlandhasneverpossessedafederalgovernment。Theunionbetweenthesetwocantonsonlysubsistsuponthemap，andtheirdiscrepancieswouldsoonbeperceivedifanattemptweremadebyacentralauthoritytoprescribethesamelawstothewholeterritory。
　　OneofthecircumstanceswhichmostpowerfullycontributetosupporttheFederalGovernmentinAmericaisthattheStateshavenotonlysimilarinterests，acommonorigin，andacommontongue，butthattheyarealsoarrivedatthesamestageofcivilization;
　　whichalmostalwaysrendersaunionfeasible。IdonotknowofanyEuropeannation，howsmallsoeveritmaybe，whichdoesnotpresentlessuniformityinitsdifferentprovincesthantheAmericanpeople，whichoccupiesaterritoryasextensiveasone—halfofEurope。ThedistancefromtheStateofMainetothatofGeorgiaisreckonedataboutonethousandmiles;butthedifferencebetweenthecivilizationofMaineandthatofGeorgiaisslighterthanthedifferencebetweenthehabitsofNormandyandthoseofBrittany。MaineandGeorgia，whichareplacedattheoppositeextremitiesofagreatempire，areconsequentlyinthenaturalpossessionofmorerealinducementstoformaconfederationthanNormandyandBrittany，whichareonlyseparatedbyabridge。
　　ThegeographicalpositionofthecountrycontributedtoincreasethefacilitieswhichtheAmericanlegislatorsderivedfromthemannersandcustomsoftheinhabitants;anditistothiscircumstancethattheadoptionandthemaintenanceoftheFederalsystemaremainlyattributable。
　　Themostimportantoccurrencewhichcanmarktheannalsofapeopleisthebreakingoutofawar。Inwarapeoplestruggleswiththeenergyofasinglemanagainstforeignnationsinthedefenceofitsveryexistence。Theskillofagovernment，thegoodsenseofthecommunity，andthenaturalfondnesswhichmenentertainfortheircountry，maysufficetomaintainpeaceintheinteriorofadistrict，andtofavoritsinternalprosperity;butanationcanonlycarryonagreatwaratthecostofmorenumerousandmorepainfulsacrifices;andtosupposethatagreatnumberofmenwilloftheirownaccordcomplywiththeseexigenciesoftheStateistobetrayanignoranceofmankind。
　　Allthepeopleswhichhavebeenobligedtosustainalongandseriouswarfarehaveconsequentlybeenledtoaugmentthepoweroftheirgovernment。Thosewhichhavenotsucceededinthisattempthavebeensubjugated。Alongwaralmostalwaysplacesnationsinthewretchedalternativeofbeingabandonedtoruinbydefeatortodespotismbysuccess。Warthereforerendersthesymptomsoftheweaknessofagovernmentmostpalpableandmostalarming;andIhaveshownthattheinherentdefeatoffederalgovernmentsisthatofbeingweak。
　　TheFederalsystemisnotonlydeficientineverykindofcentralizedadministration，butthecentralgovernmentitselfisimperfectlyorganized，whichisinvariablyaninfluentialcauseofinferioritywhenthenationisopposedtoothercountrieswhicharethemselvesgovernedbyasingleauthority。IntheFederalConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，bywhichthecentralgovernmentpossessesmorerealforce，thisevilisstillextremelysensible。Anexamplewillillustratethecasetothereader。
　　TheConstitutionconfersuponCongresstherightofcallingforthmilitiatoexecutethelawsoftheUnion，suppressinsurrections，andrepelinvasions;andanotherarticledeclaresthatthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesisthecommander—in—chiefofthemilitia。Inthewarof1812thePresidentorderedthemilitiaoftheNorthernStatestomarchtothefrontiers;butConnecticutandMassachusetts，whoseinterestswereimpairedbythewar，refusedtoobeythecommand。TheyarguedthattheConstitutionauthorizestheFederalGovernmenttocallforththemilitiaincaseofinsurrectionorinvasion，butthatinthepresentinstancetherewasneitherinvasionnorinsurrection。
　　Theyadded，thatthesameConstitutionwhichconferredupontheUniontherightofcallingforththemilitiareservedtotheStatesthatofnamingtheofficers;andthatconsequently（astheyunderstoodtheclause）noofficeroftheUnionhadanyrighttocommandthemilitia，evenduringwar，exceptthePresidentinperson;andinthiscasetheywereorderedtojoinanarmycommandedbyanotherindividual。Theseabsurdandperniciousdoctrinesreceivedthesanctionnotonlyofthegovernorsandthelegislativebodies，butalsoofthecourtsofjusticeinbothStates;andtheFederalGovernmentwasconstrainedtoraiseelsewherethetroopswhichitrequired。*v[Footnotev:Kent’s"Commentaries，"vol。i。p。244。IhaveselectedanexamplewhichrelatestoatimeposteriortothepromulgationofthepresentConstitution。IfIhadgonebacktothedaysoftheConfederation，Imighthavegivenstillmorestrikinginstances。Thewholenationwasatthattimeinastateofenthusiasticexcitement;theRevolutionwasrepresentedbyamanwhowastheidolofthepeople;butatthatveryperiodCongresshad，tosaythetruth，noresourcesatallatitsdisposal。Troopsandsupplieswereperpetuallywanting。Thebest—devisedprojectsfailedintheexecution，andtheUnion，whichwasconstantlyonthevergeofdestruction，wassavedbytheweaknessofitsenemiesfarmorethanbyitsownstrength。
　　[AlldoubtastothepowersoftheFederalExecutivewas，however，removedbyitseffortsintheCivilWar，andthosepowerswerelargelyextended。]]
　　TheonlysafeguardwhichtheAmericanUnion，withalltherelativeperfectionofitslaws，possessesagainstthedissolutionwhichwouldbeproducedbyagreatwar，liesinitsprobableexemptionfromthatcalamity。Placedinthecentreofanimmensecontinent，whichoffersaboundlessfieldforhumanindustry，theUnionisalmostasmuchinsulatedfromtheworldasifitsfrontiersweregirtbytheocean。Canadacontainsonlyamillionofinhabitants，anditspopulationisdividedintotwoinimicalnations。Therigoroftheclimatelimitstheextensionofitsterritory，andshutsupitsportsduringthesixmonthsofwinter。FromCanadatotheGulfofMexicoafewsavagetribesaretobemetwith，whichretire，perishingintheirretreat，beforesixthousandsoldiers。TotheSouth，theUnionhasapointofcontactwiththeempireofMexico;anditisthencethatserioushostilitiesmayonedaybeexpectedtoarise。ButforalongwhiletocometheuncivilizedstateoftheMexicancommunity，thedepravityofitsmorals，anditsextremepoverty，willpreventthatcountryfromrankinghighamongstnations。*wAsforthePowersofEurope，theyaretoodistanttobeformidable。
　　[Footnotew:[WarbrokeoutbetweentheUnitedStatesandMexicoin1846，andendedintheconquestofanimmenseterritory，includingCalifornia。]]
　　ThegreatadvantageoftheUnitedStatesdoesnot，then，consistinaFederalConstitutionwhichallowsthemtocarryongreatwars，butinageographicalpositionwhichrenderssuchenterprisesextremelyimprobable。
　　NoonecanbemoreinclinedthanIammyselftoappreciatetheadvantagesofthefederalsystem，whichIholdtobeoneofthecombinationsmostfavorabletotheprosperityandfreedomofman。Ienvythelotofthosenationswhichhavebeenenabledtoadoptit;butIcannotbelievethatanyconfederatepeoplescouldmaintainalongoranequalcontestwithanationofsimilarstrengthinwhichthegovernmentshouldbecentralized。Apeoplewhichshoulddivideitssovereigntyintofractionalpowers，inthepresenceofthegreatmilitarymonarchiesofEurope，would，inmyopinion，bythatveryact，abdicateitspower，andperhapsitsexistenceanditsname。ButsuchistheadmirablepositionoftheNewWorldthatmanhasnootherenemythanhimself;andthat，inordertobehappyandtobefree，itsufficestoseekthegiftsofprosperityandtheknowledgeoffreedom。
　　ChapterXI:WhyThePeopleMayStrictlyBeSaidToGovernInTheUnitedStatesIhavehithertoexaminedtheinstitutionsoftheUnitedStates;Ihavepassedtheirlegislationinreview，andIhavedepictedthepresentcharacteristicsofpoliticalsocietyinthatcountry。Butasovereignpowerexistsabovetheseinstitutionsandbeyondthesecharacteristicfeatureswhichmaydestroyormodifythematitspleasure—Imeanthatofthepeople。Itremainstobeshowninwhatmannerthispower，whichregulatesthelaws，acts:itspropensitiesanditspassionsremaintobepointedout，aswellasthesecretspringswhichretard，accelerate，ordirectitsirresistiblecourse;andtheeffectsofitsunboundedauthority，withthedestinywhichisprobablyreservedforit。
　　ChapterX:WhyThePeopleMayStrictlyBeSaidToGovernInTheUnitedStatesInAmericathepeopleappointsthelegislativeandtheexecutivepower，andfurnishesthejurorswhopunishalloffencesagainstthelaws。TheAmericaninstitutionsaredemocratic，notonlyintheirprinciplebutinalltheirconsequences;andthepeopleelectsitsrepresentativesdirectly，andforthemostpartannually，inordertoensuretheirdependence。Thepeopleisthereforetherealdirectingpower;andalthoughtheformofgovernmentisrepresentative，itisevidentthattheopinions，theprejudices，theinterests，andeventhepassionsofthecommunityarehinderedbynodurableobstaclesfromexercisingaperpetualinfluenceonsociety。IntheUnitedStatesthemajoritygovernsinthenameofthepeople，asisthecaseinallthecountriesinwhichthepeopleissupreme。Themajorityisprincipallycomposedofpeacefulcitizenswho，eitherbyinclinationorbyinterest，aresincerelydesirousofthewelfareoftheircountry。Buttheyaresurroundedbytheincessantagitationofparties，whichattempttogaintheirco—operationandtoavailthemselvesoftheirsupport。
　　ChapterX:PartiesInTheUnitedStatesChapterSummaryGreatdistinctiontobemadebetweenparties—Partieswhicharetoeachotherasrivalnations—Partiesproperlysocalled—
　　Differencebetweengreatandsmallparties—Epochswhichproducethem—Theircharacteristics—Americahashadgreatparties—
　　Theyareextinct—Federalists—Republicans—DefeatoftheFederalists—DifficultyofcreatingpartiesintheUnitedStates—Whatisdonewiththisintention—Aristocraticordemocraticcharactertobemetwithinallparties—StruggleofGeneralJacksonagainsttheBank。
　　PartiesInTheUnitedStatesAgreatdistinctionmustbemadebetweenparties。Somecountriesaresolargethatthedifferentpopulationswhichinhabitthemhavecontradictoryinterests，althoughtheyarethesubjectsofthesameGovernment，andtheymaythencebeinaperpetualstateofopposition。Inthiscasethedifferentfractionsofthepeoplemaymoreproperlybeconsideredasdistinctnationsthanasmereparties;andifacivilwarbreaksout，thestruggleiscarriedonbyrivalpeoplesratherthanbyfactionsintheState。
　　Butwhenthecitizensentertaindifferentopinionsuponsubjectswhichaffectthewholecountryalike，such，forinstance，astheprinciplesuponwhichthegovernmentistobeconducted，thendistinctionsarisewhichmaycorrectlybestyledparties。Partiesareanecessaryevilinfreegovernments;buttheyhavenotatalltimesthesamecharacterandthesamepropensities。
　　Atcertainperiodsanationmaybeoppressedbysuchinsupportableevilsastoconceivethedesignofeffectingatotalchangeinitspoliticalconstitution;atothertimesthemischiefliesstilldeeper，andtheexistenceofsocietyitselfisendangered。Sucharethetimesofgreatrevolutionsandofgreatparties。Butbetweentheseepochsofmiseryandofconfusionthereareperiodsduringwhichhumansocietyseemstorest，andmankindtomakeapause。Thispauseis，indeed，onlyapparent，fortimedoesnotstopitscoursefornationsanymorethanformen;theyarealladvancingtowardsagoalwithwhichtheyareunacquainted;andweonlyimaginethemtobestationarywhentheirprogressescapesourobservation，asmenwhoaregoingatafoot—paceseemtobestandingstilltothosewhorun。
　　Buthoweverthismaybe，therearecertainepochsatwhichthechangesthattakeplaceinthesocialandpoliticalconstitutionofnationsaresoslowandsoinsensiblethatmenimaginetheirpresentconditiontobeafinalstate;andthehumanmind，believingitselftobefirmlybaseduponcertainfoundations，doesnotextenditsresearchesbeyondthehorizonwhichitdescries。Thesearethetimesofsmallpartiesandofintrigue。
　　ThepoliticalpartieswhichIstylegreatarethosewhichclingtoprinciplesmorethantotheirconsequences;togeneral，andnottoespecialcases;toideas，andnottomen。Thesepartiesareusuallydistinguishedbyanoblercharacter，bymoregenerouspassions，moregenuineconvictions，andamoreboldandopenconductthantheothers。Inthemprivateinterest，whichalwaysplaysthechiefpartinpoliticalpassions，ismorestudiouslyveiledunderthepretextofthepublicgood;anditmayevenbesometimesconcealedfromtheeyesoftheverypersonswhomitexcitesandimpels。
　　Minorpartiesare，ontheotherhand，generallydeficientinpoliticalfaith。Astheyarenotsustainedordignifiedbyaloftypurpose，theyostensiblydisplaytheegotismoftheircharacterintheiractions。Theyglowwithafactitiouszeal;
　　theirlanguageisvehement，buttheirconductistimidandirresolute。Themeanstheyemployareaswretchedastheendatwhichtheyaim。Henceitarisesthatwhenacalmstateofthingssucceedsaviolentrevolution，theleadersofsocietyseemsuddenlytodisappear，andthepowersofthehumanmindtolieconcealed。Societyisconvulsedbygreatparties，byminoronesitisagitated;itistornbytheformer，bythelatteritisdegraded;andifthesesometimessaveitbyasalutaryperturbation，thoseinvariablydisturbittonogoodend。
　　Americahasalreadylostthegreatpartieswhichoncedividedthenation;andifherhappinessisconsiderablyincreased，hermoralityhassufferedbytheirextinction。WhentheWarofIndependencewasterminated，andthefoundationsofthenewGovernmentweretobelaiddown，thenationwasdividedbetweentwoopinions—twoopinionswhichareasoldastheworld，andwhichareperpetuallytobemetwithunderalltheformsandallthenameswhichhaveeverobtainedinfreecommunities—theonetendingtolimit，theothertoextendindefinitely，thepowerofthepeople。TheconflictofthesetwoopinionsneverassumedthatdegreeofviolenceinAmericawhichithasfrequentlydisplayedelsewhere。BothpartiesoftheAmericanswere，infact，agreeduponthemostessentialpoints;
　　andneitherofthemhadtodestroyatraditionaryconstitution，ortooverthrowthestructureofsociety，inordertoensureitsowntriumph。Inneitherofthem，consequently，wereagreatnumberofprivateinterestsaffectedbysuccessorbydefeat;butmoralprinciplesofahighorder，suchastheloveofequalityandofindependence，wereconcernedinthestruggle，andtheysufficedtokindleviolentpassions。
　　ThepartywhichdesiredtolimitthepowerofthepeopleendeavoredtoapplyitsdoctrinesmoreespeciallytotheConstitutionoftheUnion，whenceitderiveditsnameofFederal。
　　Theotherparty，whichaffectedtobemoreexclusivelyattachedtothecauseofliberty，tookthatofRepublican。Americaisalandofdemocracy，andtheFederalistswerealwaysinaminority;
　　buttheyreckonedontheirsidealmostallthegreatmenwhohadbeencalledforthbytheWarofIndependence，andtheirmoralinfluencewasveryconsiderable。Theircausewas，moreover，favoredbycircumstances。TheruinoftheConfederationhadimpressedthepeoplewithadreadofanarchy，andtheFederalistsdidnotfailtoprofitbythistransientdispositionofthemultitude。Fortenortwelveyearstheywereattheheadofaffairs，andtheywereabletoapplysome，thoughnotall，oftheirprinciples;forthehostilecurrentwasbecomingfromdaytodaytooviolenttobecheckedorstemmed。In1801theRepublicansgotpossessionoftheGovernment;ThomasJeffersonwasnamedPresident;andheincreasedtheinfluenceoftheirpartybytheweightofhiscelebrity，thegreatnessofhistalents，andtheimmenseextentofhispopularity。
　　ThemeansbywhichtheFederalistshadmaintainedtheirpositionwereartificial，andtheirresourcesweretemporary;itwasbythevirtuesorthetalentsoftheirleadersthattheyhadrisentopower。WhentheRepublicansattainedtothatloftystation，theiropponentswereoverwhelmedbyutterdefeat。Animmensemajoritydeclareditselfagainsttheretiringparty，andtheFederalistsfoundthemselvesinsosmallaminoritythattheyatoncedespairedoftheirfuturesuccess。FromthatmomenttheRepublicanorDemocraticparty*ahasproceededfromconquesttoconquest，untilithasacquiredabsolutesupremacyinthecountry。TheFederalists，perceivingthattheywerevanquishedwithoutresource，andisolatedinthemidstofthenation，fellintotwodivisions，ofwhichonejoinedthevictoriousRepublicans，andtheotherabandoneditsrallying—pointanditsname。Manyyearshavealreadyelapsedsincetheyceasedtoexistasaparty。
　　[Footnotea:[Itisscarcelynecessarytoremarkthatinmorerecenttimesthesignificationofthesetermshaschanged。TheRepublicansaretherepresentativesoftheoldFederalists，andtheDemocratsoftheoldRepublicans。—Trans。Note（1861）。]]TheaccessionoftheFederaliststopowerwas，inmyopinion，oneofthemostfortunateincidentswhichaccompaniedtheformationofthegreatAmericanUnion;theyresistedtheinevitablepropensitiesoftheirageandofthecountry。Butwhethertheirtheoriesweregoodorbad，theyhadtheeffectofbeinginapplicable，asasystem，tothesocietywhichtheyprofessedtogovern，andthatwhichoccurredundertheauspicesofJeffersonmustthereforehavetakenplacesoonerorlater。ButtheirGovernmentgavethenewrepublictimetoacquireacertainstability，andafterwardstosupporttherapidgrowthoftheverydoctrineswhichtheyhadcombated。Aconsiderablenumberoftheirprincipleswereinpointoffactembodiedinthepoliticalcreedoftheiropponents;andtheFederalConstitutionwhichsubsistsatthepresentdayisalastingmonumentoftheirpatriotismandtheirwisdom。
　　Greatpoliticalpartiesarenot，then，tobemetwithintheUnitedStatesatthepresenttime。Parties，indeed，maybefoundwhichthreatenthefuturetranquillityoftheUnion;buttherearenonewhichseemtocontestthepresentformofGovernmentorthepresentcourseofsociety。ThepartiesbywhichtheUnionismenaceddonotrestuponabstractprinciples，butupontemporalinterests。Theseinterests，disseminatedintheprovincesofsovastanempire，maybesaidtoconstituterivalnationsratherthanparties。Thus，uponarecentoccasion，theNorthcontendedforthesystemofcommercialprohibition，andtheSouthtookuparmsinfavoroffreetrade，simplybecausetheNorthisamanufacturingandtheSouthanagriculturaldistrict;andthattherestrictivesystemwhichwasprofitabletotheonewasprejudicialtotheother。*b[Footnoteb:[ThedivisionsofNorthandSouthhavesinceacquiredafargreaterdegreeofintensity，andtheSouth，thoughconquered，stillpresentsaformidablespiritofoppositiontoNortherngovernment。—Translator’sNote，1875。]]
　　Intheabsenceofgreatparties，theUnitedStatesaboundwithlessercontroversies;andpublicopinionisdividedintoathousandminuteshadesofdifferenceuponquestionsofverylittlemoment。Thepainswhicharetakentocreatepartiesareinconceivable，andatthepresentdayitisnoeasytask。IntheUnitedStatesthereisnoreligiousanimosity，becauseallreligionisrespected，andnosectispredominant;thereisnojealousyofrank，becausethepeopleiseverything，andnonecancontestitsauthority;lastly，thereisnopublicindigencetosupplythemeansofagitation，becausethephysicalpositionofthecountryopenssowideafieldtoindustrythatmanisabletoaccomplishthemostsurprisingundertakingswithhisownnativeresources。Nevertheless，ambitiousmenareinterbstedinthecreationofparties，sinceitisdifficulttoejectapersonfromauthorityuponthemeregroundthathisplaceiscovetedbyothers。Theskilloftheactorsinthepoliticalworldliesthereforeintheartofcreatingparties。ApoliticalaspirantintheUnitedStatesbeginsbydiscriminatinghisowninterest，andbycalculatinguponthoseinterestswhichmaybecollectedaroundandamalgamatedwithit;hethencontrivestodiscoversomedoctrineorsomeprinciplewhichmaysuitthepurposesofthisnewassociation，andwhichheadoptsinordertobringforwardhispartyandtosecurehispopularity;justastheimprimaturofaKingwasinformerdaysincorporatedwiththevolumewhichitauthorized，buttowhichitnowisebelonged。Whenthesepreliminariesareterminated，thenewpartyisusheredintothepoliticalworld。
　　AllthedomesticcontroversiesoftheAmericansatfirstappeartoastrangertobesoincomprehensibleandsopuerilethatheisatalosswhethertopityapeoplewhichtakessucharranttriflesingoodearnest，ortoenvythehappinesswhichenablesittodiscussthem。ButwhenhecomestostudythesecretpropensitieswhichgovernthefactionsofAmerica，heeasilyperceivesthatthegreaterpartofthemaremoreorlessconnectedwithoneortheotherofthosetwodivisionswhichhavealwaysexistedinfreecommunities。Thedeeperwepenetrateintotheworkingoftheseparties，themoredoweperceivethattheobjectoftheoneistolimit，andthatoftheothertoextend，thepopularauthority。Idonotassertthattheostensibleend，oreventhatthesecretaim，ofAmericanpartiesistopromotetheruleofaristocracyordemocracyinthecountry;butIaffirmthataristocraticordemocraticpassionsmayeasilybedetectedatthebottomofallparties，andthat，althoughtheyescapeasuperficialobservation，theyarethemainpointandtheverysoulofeveryfactionintheUnitedStates。
　　Toquotearecentexample。WhenthePresidentattackedtheBank，thecountrywasexcitedandpartieswereformed;thewell—
　　informedclassesralliedroundtheBank，thecommonpeopleroundthePresident。Butitmustnotbeimaginedthatthepeoplehadformedarationalopinionuponaquestionwhichofferssomanydifficultiestothemostexperiencedstatesmen。TheBankisagreatestablishmentwhichenjoysanindependentexistence，andthepeople，accustomedtomakeandunmakewhatsoeveritpleases，isstartledtomeetwiththisobstacletoitsauthority。Inthemidstoftheperpetualfluctuationofsocietythecommunityisirritatedbysopermanentaninstitution，andisledtoattackitinordertoseewhetheritcanbeshakenandcontrolled，likealltheotherinstitutionsofthecountry。
　　RemainsOfTheAristocraticPartyInTheUnitedStatesSecretoppositionofwealthyindividualstodemocracy—Theirretirement—Theirtasteforexclusivepleasuresandforluxuryathome—Theirsimplicityabroad—Theiraffectedcondescensiontowardsthepeople。
　　Itsometimeshappensinapeopleamongstwhichvariousopinionsprevailthatthebalanceoftheseveralpartiesislost，andoneofthemobtainsanirresistiblepreponderance，overpowersallobstacles，harassesitsopponents，andappropriatesalltheresourcesofsocietytoitsownpurposes。Thevanquishedcitizensdespairofsuccessandtheyconcealtheirdissatisfactioninsilenceandingeneralapathy。Thenationseemstobegovernedbyasingleprinciple，andtheprevailingpartyassumesthecreditofhavingrestoredpeaceandunanimitytothecountry。Butthisapparentunanimityismerelyacloaktoalarmingdissensionsandperpetualopposition。
　　ThisispreciselywhatoccurredinAmerica;whenthedemocraticpartygottheupperhand，ittookexclusivepossessionoftheconductofaffairs，andfromthattimethelawsandthecustomsofsocietyhavebeenadaptedtoitscaprices。AtthepresentdaythemoreaffluentclassesofsocietyaresoentirelyremovedfromthedirectionofpoliticalaffairsintheUnitedStatesthatwealth，farfromconferringarighttotheexerciseofpower，isratheranobstaclethanameansofattainingtoit。
　　Thewealthymembersofthecommunityabandonthelists，throughunwillingnesstocontend，andfrequentlytocontendinvain，againstthepoorestclassesoftheirfellowcitizens。Theyconcentratealltheirenjoymentsintheprivacyoftheirhomes，wheretheyoccupyarankwhichcannotbeassumedinpublic;andtheyconstituteaprivatesocietyintheState，whichhasitsowntastesanditsownpleasures。Theysubmittothisstateofthingsasanirremediableevil，buttheyarecarefulnottoshowthattheyaregalledbyitscontinuance;itisevennotuncommontohearthemlaudthedelightsofarepublicangovernment，andtheadvantagesofdemocraticinstitutionswhentheyareinpublic。
　　Nexttohatingtheirenemies，menaremostinclinedtoflatterthem。
　　Mark，forinstance，thatopulentcitizen，whoisasanxiousasaJewoftheMiddleAgestoconcealhiswealth。Hisdressisplain，hisdemeanorunassuming;buttheinteriorofhisdwellingglitterswithluxury，andnonebutafewchosenguestswhomhehaughtilystyleshisequalsareallowedtopenetrateintothissanctuary。NoEuropeannobleismoreexclusiveinhispleasures，ormorejealousofthesmallestadvantageswhichhisprivilegedstationconfersuponhim。Buttheverysameindividualcrossesthecitytoreachadarkcounting—houseinthecentreoftraffic，whereeveryonemayaccosthimwhopleases。Ifhemeetshiscobblerupontheway，theystopandconverse;thetwocitizensdiscusstheaffairsoftheStateinwhichtheyhaveanequalinterest，andtheyshakehandsbeforetheypart。
　　Butbeneaththisartificialenthusiasm，andtheseobsequiousattentionstothepreponderatingpower，itiseasytoperceivethatthewealthymembersofthecommunityentertainaheartydistastetothedemocraticinstitutionsoftheircountry。Thepopulaceisatoncetheobjectoftheirscornandoftheirfears。
　　Ifthemaladministrationofthedemocracyeverbringsaboutarevolutionarycrisis，andifmonarchicalinstitutionseverbecomepracticableintheUnitedStates，thetruthofwhatIadvancewillbecomeobvious。
　　Thetwochiefweaponswhichpartiesuseinordertoensuresuccessarethepublicpressandtheformationofassociations。