InfluenceOfMannersUponTheMaintenanceOfTheDemocraticRepublicInTheUnitedStatesIhavepreviouslyremarkedthatthemannersofthepeoplemaybeconsideredasoneofthegeneralcausestowhichthemaintenanceofademocraticrepublicintheUnitedStatesisattributable。Ihereusedthewordmannerswiththemeaningwhichtheancientsattachedtothewordmores，forIapplyitnotonlytomannersintheirpropersenseofwhatconstitutesthecharacterofsocialintercourse，butIextendittothevariousnotionsandopinionscurrentamongmen，andtothemassofthoseideaswhichconstitutetheircharacterofmind。Icomprise，therefore，underthistermthewholemoralandintellectualconditionofapeople。MyintentionisnottodrawapictureofAmericanmanners，butsimplytopointoutsuchfeaturesofthemasarefavorabletothemaintenanceofpoliticalinstitutions。
　　ReligionConsideredAsAPoliticalInstitution，WhichPowerfullyContributesToTheMaintenanceOfTheDemocraticRepublicAmongstTheAmericansNorthAmericapeopledbymenwhoprofessedademocraticandrepublicanChristianity—ArrivaloftheCatholics—ForwhatreasontheCatholicsformthemostdemocraticandthemostrepublicanclassatthepresenttime。
　　Everyreligionistobefoundinjuxtapositiontoapoliticalopinionwhichisconnectedwithitbyaffinity。Ifthehumanmindbelefttofollowitsownbent，itwillregulatethetemporalandspiritualinstitutionsofsocietyupononeuniformprinciple;andmanwillendeavor，ifImayusetheexpression，toharmonizethestateinwhichhelivesuponearthwiththestatewhichhebelievestoawaithiminheaven。ThegreatestpartofBritishAmericawaspeopledbymenwho，afterhavingshakenofftheauthorityofthePope，acknowledgednootherreligioussupremacy;theybroughtwiththemintotheNewWorldaformofChristianitywhichIcannotbetterdescribethanbystylingitademocraticandrepublicanreligion。Thissectcontributedpowerfullytotheestablishmentofademocracyandarepublic，andfromtheearliestsettlementoftheemigrantspoliticsandreligioncontractedanalliancewhichhasneverbeendissolved。
　　AboutfiftyyearsagoIrelandbegantopouraCatholicpopulationintotheUnitedStates;ontheotherhand，theCatholicsofAmericamadeproselytes，andatthepresentmomentmorethanamillionofChristiansprofessingthetruthsoftheChurchofRomearetobemetwithintheUnion。*dTheCatholicsarefaithfultotheobservancesoftheirreligion;theyareferventandzealousinthesupportandbeliefoftheirdoctrines。
　　NeverthelesstheyconstitutethemostrepublicanandthemostdemocraticclassofcitizenswhichexistsintheUnitedStates;
　　andalthoughthisfactmaysurprisetheobserveratfirst，thecausesbywhichitisoccasionedmayeasilybediscovereduponreflection。
　　[Footnoted:[ItisdifficulttoascertainwithaccuracytheamountoftheRomanCatholicpopulationoftheUnitedStates，butin1868anablewriterinthe"EdinburghReview"（vol。cxxvii。p。
　　521）affirmedthatthewholeCatholicpopulationoftheUnitedStateswasthenabout4，000，000，dividedinto43dioceses，with3，795churches，underthecareof45bishopsand2，317clergymen。
　　ButthisrapidincreaseismainlysupportedbyimmigrationfromtheCatholiccountriesofEurope。]]
　　IthinkthattheCatholicreligionhaserroneouslybeenlookeduponasthenaturalenemyofdemocracy。AmongstthevarioussectsofChristians，Catholicismseemstome，onthecontrary，tobeoneofthosewhicharemostfavorabletotheequalityofconditions。IntheCatholicChurch，thereligiouscommunityiscomposedofonlytwoelements，thepriestandthepeople。Thepriestalonerisesabovetherankofhisflock，andallbelowhimareequal。
　　OndoctrinalpointstheCatholicfaithplacesallhumancapacitiesuponthesamelevel;itsubjectsthewiseandignorant，themanofgeniusandthevulgarcrowd，tothedetailsofthesamecreed;itimposesthesameobservancesupontherichandneedy，itinflictsthesameausteritiesuponthestrongandtheweak，itlistenstonocompromisewithmortalman，but，reducingallthehumanracetothesamestandard，itconfoundsallthedistinctionsofsocietyatthefootofthesamealtar，evenastheyareconfoundedinthesightofGod。IfCatholicismpredisposesthefaithfultoobedience，itcertainlydoesnotpreparethemforinequality;butthecontrarymaybesaidofProtestantism，whichgenerallytendstomakemenindependent，morethantorenderthemequal。
　　Catholicismislikeanabsolutemonarchy;ifthesovereignberemoved，alltheotherclassesofsocietyaremoreequalthantheyareinrepublics。IthasnotunfrequentlyoccurredthattheCatholicpriesthaslefttheserviceofthealtartomixwiththegoverningpowersofsociety，andtotakehisplaceamongstthecivilgradationsofmen。Thisreligiousinfluencehassometimesbeenusedtosecuretheinterestsofthatpoliticalstateofthingstowhichhebelonged。AtothertimesCatholicshavetakenthesideofaristocracyfromaspiritofreligion。
　　Butnosooneristhepriesthoodentirelyseparatedfromthegovernment，asisthecaseintheUnitedStates，thanisfoundthatnoclassofmenaremorenaturallydisposedthantheCatholicstotransfusethedoctrineoftheequalityofconditionsintothepoliticalworld。If，then，theCatholiccitizensoftheUnitedStatesarenotforciblyledbythenatureoftheirtenetstoadoptdemocraticandrepublicanprinciples，atleasttheyarenotnecessarilyopposedtothem;andtheirsocialposition，aswellastheirlimitednumber，obligesthemtoadopttheseopinions。MostoftheCatholicsarepoor，andtheyhavenochanceoftakingapartinthegovernmentunlessitbeopentoallthecitizens。Theyconstituteaminority，andallrightsmustberespectedinordertoinsuretothemthefreeexerciseoftheirownprivileges。Thesetwocausesinducethem，unconsciously，toadoptpoliticaldoctrines，whichtheywouldperhapssupportwithlesszealiftheywererichandpreponderant。
　　TheCatholicclergyoftheUnitedStateshasneverattemptedtoopposethispoliticaltendency，butitseeksrathertojustifyitsresults。ThepriestsinAmericahavedividedtheintellectualworldintotwoparts:intheonetheyplacethedoctrinesofrevealedreligion，whichcommandtheirassent;intheothertheyleavethosetruthswhichtheybelievetohavebeenfreelyleftopentotheresearchesofpoliticalinquiry。ThustheCatholicsoftheUnitedStatesareatthesametimethemostfaithfulbelieversandthemostzealouscitizens。
　　ItmaybeassertedthatintheUnitedStatesnoreligiousdoctrinedisplaystheslightesthostilitytodemocraticandrepublicaninstitutions。Theclergyofallthedifferentsectsholdthesamelanguage，theiropinionsareconsonanttothelaws，andthehumanintellectflowsonwardsinonesolecurrent。
　　IhappenedtobestayinginoneofthelargesttownsintheUnion，whenIwasinvitedtoattendapublicmeetingwhichhadbeencalledforthepurposeofassistingthePoles，andofsendingthemsuppliesofarmsandmoney。Ifoundtwoorthreethousandpersonscollectedinavasthallwhichhadbeenpreparedtoreceivethem。Inashorttimeapriestinhisecclesiasticalrobesadvancedtothefrontofthehustings:thespectatorsrose，andstooduncovered，whilsthespokeinthefollowingterms:—
　　"AlmightyGod！theGodofArmies！Thouwhodidststrengthentheheartsandguidethearmsofourfatherswhentheywerefightingforthesacredrightsofnationalindependence;
　　Thouwhodidstmakethemtriumphoverahatefuloppression，andhastgrantedtoourpeoplethebenefitsoflibertyandpeace;
　　Turn，OLord，afavorableeyeupontheotherhemisphere;
　　pitifullylookdownuponthatheroicnationwhichisevennowstrugglingaswedidintheformertime，andforthesamerightswhichwedefendedwithourblood。Thou，whodidstcreateManinthelikenessofthesameimage，letnottyrannymarThywork，andestablishinequalityupontheearth。AlmightyGod！doThouwatchoverthedestinyofthePoles，andrenderthemworthytobefree。MayThywisdomdirecttheircouncils，andmayThystrengthsustaintheirarms！ShedforthThyterrorovertheirenemies，scatterthepowerswhichtakecounselagainstthem;andvouchsafethattheinjusticewhichtheworldhaswitnessedforfiftyyears，benotconsummatedinourtime。OLord，whoholdestaliketheheartsofnationsandofmeninThypowerfulhand;raiseupalliestothesacredcauseofright;arousetheFrenchnationfromtheapathyinwhichitsrulersretainit，thatitgoforthagaintofightforthelibertiesoftheworld。
　　"Lord，turnnotThouThyfacefromus，andgrantthatwemayalwaysbethemostreligiousaswellasthefreestpeopleoftheearth。AlmightyGod，hearoursupplicationsthisday。SavethePoles，webeseechThee，inthenameofThywell—belovedSon，ourLordJesusChrist，whodieduponthecrossforthesalvationofmen。Amen。"
　　Thewholemeetingresponded"Amen！"withdevotion。
　　IndirectInfluenceOfReligiousOpinionsUponPoliticalSocietyInTheUnitedStatesChristianmoralitycommontoallsects—InfluenceofreligionuponthemannersoftheAmericans—Respectforthemarriagetie—InwhatmannerreligionconfinestheimaginationoftheAmericanswithincertainlimits，andchecksthepassionofinnovation—OpinionoftheAmericansonthepoliticalutilityofreligion—Theirexertionstoextendandsecureitspredominance。
　　IhavejustshownwhatthedirectinfluenceofreligionuponpoliticsisintheUnitedStates，butitsindirectinfluenceappearstometobestillmoreconsiderable，anditneverinstructstheAmericansmorefullyintheartofbeingfreethanwhenitsaysnothingoffreedom。
　　ThesectswhichexistintheUnitedStatesareinnumerable。
　　TheyalldifferinrespecttotheworshipwhichisduefrommantohisCreator，buttheyallagreeinrespecttothedutieswhichareduefrommantoman。EachsectadorestheDeityinitsownpeculiarmanner，butallthesectspreachthesamemorallawinthenameofGod。Ifitbeofthehighestimportancetoman，asanindividual，thathisreligionshouldbetrue，thecaseofsocietyisnotthesame。Societyhasnofuturelifetohopeforortofear;andprovidedthecitizensprofessareligion，thepeculiartenetsofthatreligionareofverylittleimportancetoitsinterests。Moreover，almostallthesectsoftheUnitedStatesarecomprisedwithinthegreatunityofChristianity，andChristianmoralityiseverywherethesame。
　　ItmaybebelievedwithoutunfairnessthatacertainnumberofAmericanspursueapeculiarformofworship，fromhabitmorethanfromconviction。IntheUnitedStatesthesovereignauthorityisreligious，andconsequentlyhypocrisymustbecommon;butthereisnocountryinthewholeworldinwhichtheChristianreligionretainsagreaterinfluenceoverthesoulsofmenthaninAmerica;andtherecanbenogreaterproofofitsutility，andofitsconformitytohumannature，thanthatitsinfluenceismostpowerfullyfeltoverthemostenlightenedandfreenationoftheearth。
　　IhaveremarkedthatthemembersoftheAmericanclergyingeneral，withoutevenexceptingthosewhodonotadmitreligiousliberty，areallinfavorofcivilfreedom;buttheydonotsupportanyparticularpoliticalsystem。Theykeepalooffrompartiesandfrompublicaffairs。IntheUnitedStatesreligionexercisesbutlittleinfluenceuponthelawsanduponthedetailsofpublicopinion，butitdirectsthemannersofthecommunity，andbyregulatingdomesticlifeitregulatestheState。
　　IdonotquestionthatthegreatausterityofmannerswhichisobservableintheUnitedStates，arises，inthefirstinstance，fromreligiousfaith。Religionisoftenunabletorestrainmanfromthenumberlesstemptationsoffortune;norcanitcheckthatpassionforgainwhicheveryincidentofhislifecontributestoarouse，butitsinfluenceoverthemindofwomanissupreme，andwomenaretheprotectorsofmorals。ThereiscertainlynocountryintheworldwherethetieofmarriageissomuchrespectedasinAmerica，orwhereconjugalhappinessismorehighlyorworthilyappreciated。InEuropealmostallthedisturbancesofsocietyarisefromtheirregularitiesofdomesticlife。Todespisethenaturalbondsandlegitimatepleasuresofhome，istocontractatasteforexcesses，arestlessnessofheart，andtheeviloffluctuatingdesires。Agitatedbythetumultuouspassionswhichfrequentlydisturbhisdwelling，theEuropeanisgalledbytheobediencewhichthelegislativepowersoftheStateexact。ButwhentheAmericanretiresfromtheturmoilofpubliclifetothebosomofhisfamily，hefindsinittheimageoforderandofpeace。Therehispleasuresaresimpleandnatural，hisjoysareinnocentandcalm;andashefindsthatanorderlylifeisthesurestpathtohappiness，heaccustomshimselfwithoutdifficultytomoderatehisopinionsaswellashistastes。WhilsttheEuropeanendeavorstoforgethisdomestictroublesbyagitatingsociety，theAmericanderivesfromhisownhomethatloveoforderwhichheafterwardscarrieswithhimintopublicaffairs。
　　IntheUnitedStatestheinfluenceofreligionisnotconfinedtothemanners，butitextendstotheintelligenceofthepeople。AmongsttheAnglo—Americans，therearesomewhoprofessthedoctrinesofChristianityfromasincerebeliefinthem，andotherswhodothesamebecausetheyareafraidtobesuspectedofunbelief。Christianity，therefore，reignswithoutanyobstacle，byuniversalconsent;theconsequenceis，asIhavebeforeobserved，thateveryprincipleofthemoralworldisfixedanddeterminate，althoughthepoliticalworldisabandonedtothedebatesandtheexperimentsofmen。Thusthehumanmindisneverlefttowanderacrossaboundlessfield;and，whatevermaybeitspretensions，itischeckedfromtimetotimebybarrierswhichitcannotsurmount。Beforeitcanperpetrateinnovation，certainprimalandimmutableprinciplesarelaiddown，andtheboldestconceptionsofhumandevicearesubjectedtocertainformswhichretardandstoptheircompletion。
　　TheimaginationoftheAmericans，eveninitsgreatestflights，iscircumspectandundecided;itsimpulsesarechecked，anditsworksunfinished。Thesehabitsofrestraintrecurinpoliticalsociety，andaresingularlyfavorablebothtothetranquillityofthepeopleandtothedurabilityoftheinstitutionsithasestablished。NatureandcircumstancesconcurredtomaketheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStatesboldmen，asissufficientlyattestedbytheenterprisingspiritwithwhichtheyseekforfortune。IfthemindoftheAmericanswerefreefromalltrammels，theywouldveryshortlybecomethemostdaringinnovatorsandthemostimplacabledisputantsintheworld。ButtherevolutionistsofAmericaareobligedtoprofessanostensiblerespectforChristianmoralityandequity，whichdoesnoteasilypermitthemtoviolatethelawsthatopposetheirdesigns;norwouldtheyfinditeasytosurmountthescruplesoftheirpartisans，eveniftheywereabletogetovertheirown。
　　HithertonooneintheUnitedStateshasdaredtoadvancethemaxim，thateverythingispermissiblewithaviewtotheinterestsofsociety;animpiousadagewhichseemstohavebeeninventedinanageoffreedomtoshelterallthetyrantsoffutureages。ThuswhilstthelawpermitstheAmericanstodowhattheyplease，religionpreventsthemfromconceiving，andforbidsthemtocommit，whatisrashorunjust。
　　ReligioninAmericatakesnodirectpartinthegovernmentofsociety，butitmustneverthelessberegardedastheforemostofthepoliticalinstitutionsofthatcountry;forifitdoesnotimpartatasteforfreedom，itfacilitatestheuseoffreeinstitutions。Indeed，itisinthissamepointofviewthattheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStatesthemselveslookuponreligiousbelief。IdonotknowwhetheralltheAmericanshaveasincerefaithintheirreligion，forwhocansearchthehumanheart？butIamcertainthattheyholdittobeindispensabletothemaintenanceofrepublicaninstitutions。Thisopinionisnotpeculiartoaclassofcitizensortoaparty，butitbelongstothewholenation，andtoeveryrankofsociety。
　　IntheUnitedStates，ifapoliticalcharacterattacksasect，thismaynotpreventeventhepartisansofthatverysectfromsupportinghim;butifheattacksallthesectstogether，everyoneabandonshim，andheremainsalone。
　　WhilstIwasinAmerica，awitness，whohappenedtobecalledattheassizesofthecountyofChester（StateofNewYork），declaredthathedidnotbelieveintheexistenceofGod，orintheimmortalityofthesoul。Thejudgerefusedtoadmithisevidence，onthegroundthatthewitnesshaddestroyedbeforehandalltheconfidenceoftheCourtinwhathewasabouttosay。*eThenewspapersrelatedthefactwithoutanyfurthercomment。
　　[Footnotee:TheNewYork"Spectator"ofAugust23，1831，relatesthefactinthefollowingterms:—"TheCourtofCommonPleasofChestercounty（NewYork）afewdayssincerejectedawitnesswhodeclaredhisdisbeliefintheexistenceofGod。ThepresidingjudgeremarkedthathehadnotbeforebeenawarethattherewasamanlivingwhodidnotbelieveintheexistenceofGod;thatthisbeliefconstitutedthesanctionofalltestimonyinacourtofjustice，andthatheknewofnocauseinaChristiancountrywhereawitnesshadbeenpermittedtotestifywithoutsuchbelief。"]
　　TheAmericanscombinethenotionsofChristianityandoflibertysointimatelyintheirminds，thatitisimpossibletomakethemconceivetheonewithouttheother;andwiththemthisconvictiondoesnotspringfromthatbarrentraditionaryfaithwhichseemstovegetateinthesoulratherthantolive。
　　IhaveknownofsocietiesformedbytheAmericanstosendoutministersoftheGospelintothenewWesternStatestofoundschoolsandchurchesthere，lestreligionshouldbesufferedtodieawayinthoseremotesettlements，andtherisingStatesbelessfittedtoenjoyfreeinstitutionsthanthepeoplefromwhichtheyemanated。ImetwithwealthyNewEnglanderswhoabandonedthecountryinwhichtheywereborninordertolaythefoundationsofChristianityandoffreedomonthebanksoftheMissouri，orintheprairiesofIllinois。ThusreligiouszealisperpetuallystimulatedintheUnitedStatesbythedutiesofpatriotism。Thesemendonotactfromanexclusiveconsiderationofthepromisesofafuturelife;eternityisonlyonemotiveoftheirdevotiontothecause;andifyouconversewiththesemissionariesofChristiancivilization，youwillbesurprisedtofindhowmuchvaluetheysetuponthegoodsofthisworld，andthatyoumeetwithapoliticianwhereyouexpectedtofindapriest。Theywilltellyouthat"alltheAmericanrepublicsarecollectivelyinvolvedwitheachother;iftherepublicsoftheWestweretofallintoanarchy，ortobemasteredbyadespot，therepublicaninstitutionswhichnowflourishupontheshoresoftheAtlanticOceanwouldbeingreatperil。Itis，therefore，ourinterestthatthenewStatesshouldbereligious，inordertomaintainourliberties。"
　　SucharetheopinionsoftheAmericans，andifanyholdthatthereligiousspiritwhichIadmireistheverythingmostamissinAmerica，andthattheonlyelementwantingtothefreedomandhappinessofthehumanraceistobelieveinsomeblindcosmogony，ortoassertwithCabanisthesecretionofthoughtbythebrain，IcanonlyreplythatthosewhoholdthislanguagehaveneverbeeninAmerica，andthattheyhaveneverseenareligiousorafreenation。Whentheyreturnfromtheirexpedition，weshallhearwhattheyhavetosay。
　　TherearepersonsinFrancewholookuponrepublicaninstitutionsasatemporarymeansofpower，ofwealth，anddistinction;menwhoarethecondottieriofliberty，andwhofightfortheirownadvantage，whateverbethecolorstheywear:
　　itisnottothesethatIaddressmyself。Butthereareotherswholookforwardtotherepublicanformofgovernmentasatranquilandlastingstate，towardswhichmodernsocietyisdailyimpelledbytheideasandmannersofthetime，andwhosincerelydesiretopreparementobefree。Whenthesemenattackreligiousopinions，theyobeythedictatesoftheirpassionstotheprejudiceoftheirinterests。Despotismmaygovernwithoutfaith，butlibertycannot。Religionismuchmorenecessaryintherepublicwhichtheysetforthinglowingcolorsthaninthemonarchywhichtheyattack;anditismoreneededindemocraticrepublicsthaninanyothers。Howisitpossiblethatsocietyshouldescapedestructionifthemoraltiebenotstrengthenedinproportionasthepoliticaltieisrelaxed？andwhatcanbedonewithapeoplewhichisitsownmaster，ifitbenotsubmissivetotheDivinity？
　　ChapterXVII:PrincipalCausesMaintainingTheDemocraticRepublic—PartIII
　　PrincipalCausesWhichRenderReligionPowerfulInAmericaCaretakenbytheAmericanstoseparatetheChurchfromtheState—Thelaws，publicopinion，andeventheexertionsoftheclergyconcurtopromotethisend—InfluenceofreligionuponthemindintheUnitedStatesattributabletothiscause—Reasonofthis—Whatisthenaturalstateofmenwithregardtoreligionatthepresenttime—Whatarethepeculiarandincidentalcauseswhichpreventmen，incertaincountries，fromarrivingatthisstate。
　　Thephilosophersoftheeighteenthcenturyexplainedthegradualdecayofreligiousfaithinaverysimplemanner。
　　Religiouszeal，saidthey，mustnecessarilyfail，themoregenerallylibertyisestablishedandknowledgediffused。
　　Unfortunately，factsarebynomeansinaccordancewiththeirtheory。TherearecertainpopulationsinEuropewhoseunbeliefisonlyequalledbytheirignoranceandtheirdebasement，whilstinAmericaoneofthefreestandmostenlightenednationsintheworldfulfilsalltheoutwarddutiesofreligiousfervor。
　　UponmyarrivalintheUnitedStates，thereligiousaspectofthecountrywasthefirstthingthatstruckmyattention;andthelongerIstayedtherethemoredidIperceivethegreatpoliticalconsequencesresultingfromthisstateofthings，towhichIwasunaccustomed。InFranceIhadalmostalwaysseenthespiritofreligionandthespiritoffreedompursuingcoursesdiametricallyopposedtoeachother;butinAmericaIfoundthattheywereintimatelyunited，andthattheyreignedincommonoverthesamecountry。Mydesiretodiscoverthecausesofthisphenomenonincreasedfromdaytoday。InordertosatisfyitI
　　questionedthemembersofallthedifferentsects;andImoreespeciallysoughtthesocietyoftheclergy，whoarethedepositariesofthedifferentpersuasions，andwhoaremoreespeciallyinterestedintheirduration。AsamemberoftheRomanCatholicChurchIwasmoreparticularlybroughtintocontactwithseveralofitspriests，withwhomIbecameintimatelyacquainted。ToeachofthesemenIexpressedmyastonishmentandIexplainedmydoubts;Ifoundthattheydiffereduponmattersofdetailalone;andthattheymainlyattributedthepeacefuldominionofreligionintheircountrytotheseparationofChurchandState。IdonothesitatetoaffirmthatduringmystayinAmericaIdidnotmeetwithasingleindividual，oftheclergyorofthelaity，whowasnotofthesameopinionuponthispoint。
　　ThisledmetoexaminemoreattentivelythanIhadhithertodone，thestationwhichtheAmericanclergyoccupyinpoliticalsociety。Ilearnedwithsurprisethattheyfillednopublicappointments;*fnotoneofthemistobemetwithintheadministration，andtheyarenotevenrepresentedinthelegislativeassemblies。InseveralStates*gthelawexcludesthemfrompoliticallife，publicopinioninall。AndwhenIcametoinquireintotheprevailingspiritoftheclergyIfoundthatmostofitsmembersseemedtoretireoftheirownaccordfromtheexerciseofpower，andthattheymadeittheprideoftheirprofessiontoabstainfrompolitics。
　　[Footnotef:Unlessthistermbeappliedtothefunctionswhichmanyofthemfillintheschools。Almostalleducationisentrustedtotheclergy。]
　　[Footnoteg:SeetheConstitutionofNewYork，art。7，Section4:
　　—
　　"Andwhereastheministersofthegospelare，bytheirprofession，dedicatedtotheserviceofGodandthecareofsouls，andoughtnottobedivertedfromthegreatdutiesoftheirfunctions:thereforenoministerofthegospel，orpriestofanydenominationwhatsoever，shallatanytimehereafter，underanypretenceordescriptionwhatever，beeligibleto，orcapableofholding，anycivilormilitaryofficeorplacewithinthisState。"
　　SeealsotheconstitutionsofNorthCarolina，art。31;
　　Virginia;SouthCarolina，art。I，Section23;Kentucky，art。2，Section26;Tennessee，art。8，SectionI;Louisiana，art。2，Section22。]
　　Iheardtheminveighagainstambitionanddeceit，underwhateverpoliticalopinionsthesevicesmightchancetolurk;butIlearnedfromtheirdiscoursesthatmenarenotguiltyintheeyeofGodforanyopinionsconcerningpoliticalgovernmentwhichtheymayprofesswithsincerity，anymorethantheyarefortheirmistakesinbuildingahouseorindrivingafurrow。Iperceivedthattheseministersofthegospeleschewedallpartieswiththeanxietyattendantuponpersonalinterest。ThesefactsconvincedmethatwhatIhadbeentoldwastrue;anditthenbecamemyobjecttoinvestigatetheircauses，andtoinquirehowithappenedthattherealauthorityofreligionwasincreasedbyastateofthingswhichdiminisheditsapparentforce:thesecausesdidnotlongescapemyresearches。
　　Theshortspaceofthreescoreyearscannevercontenttheimaginationofman;norcantheimperfectjoysofthisworldsatisfyhisheart。Manalone，ofallcreatedbeings，displaysanaturalcontemptofexistence，andyetaboundlessdesiretoexist;hescornslife，buthedreadsannihilation。Thesedifferentfeelingsincessantlyurgehissoultothecontemplationofafuturestate，andreligiondirectshismusingsthither。
　　Religion，then，issimplyanotherformofhope;anditisnolessnaturaltothehumanheartthanhopeitself。Mencannotabandontheirreligiousfaithwithoutakindofaberrationofintellect，andasortofviolentdistortionoftheirtruenatures;buttheyareinvinciblybroughtbacktomorepioussentiments;forunbeliefisanaccident，andfaithistheonlypermanentstateofmankind。Ifweonlyconsiderreligiousinstitutionsinapurelyhumanpointofview，theymaybesaidtoderiveaninexhaustibleelementofstrengthfrommanhimself，sincetheybelongtooneoftheconstituentprinciplesofhumannature。
　　Iamawarethatatcertaintimesreligionmaystrengthenthisinfluence，whichoriginatesinitself，bytheartificialpowerofthelaws，andbythesupportofthosetemporalinstitutionswhichdirectsociety。Religions，intimatelyunitedtothegovernmentsoftheearth，havebeenknowntoexerciseasovereignauthorityderivedfromthetwofoldsourceofterrorandoffaith;butwhenareligioncontractsanallianceofthisnature，Idonothesitatetoaffirmthatitcommitsthesameerrorasamanwhoshouldsacrificehisfuturetohispresentwelfare;andinobtainingapowertowhichithasnoclaim，itrisksthatauthoritywhichisrightfullyitsown。Whenareligionfoundsitsempireuponthedesireofimmortalitywhichlivesineveryhumanheart，itmayaspiretouniversaldominion;butwhenitconnectsitselfwithagovernment，itmustnecessarilyadoptmaximswhichareonlyapplicabletocertainnations。Thus，informinganalliancewithapoliticalpower，religionaugmentsitsauthorityoverafew，andforfeitsthehopeofreigningoverall。
　　Aslongasareligionrestsuponthosesentimentswhicharetheconsolationofallaffliction，itmayattracttheaffectionsofmankind。Butifitbemixedupwiththebitterpassionsoftheworld，itmaybeconstrainedtodefendallieswhomitsinterests，andnottheprincipleoflove，havegiventoit;ortorepelasantagonistsmenwhoarestillattachedtoitsownspirit，howeveropposedtheymaybetothepowerstowhichitisallied。TheChurchcannotsharethetemporalpoweroftheStatewithoutbeingtheobjectofaportionofthatanimositywhichthelatterexcites。
　　Thepoliticalpowerswhichseemtobemostfirmlyestablishedhavefrequentlynobetterguaranteefortheirdurationthantheopinionsofageneration，theinterestsofthetime，orthelifeofanindividual。Alawmaymodifythesocialconditionwhichseemstobemostfixedanddeterminate;andwiththesocialconditioneverythingelsemustchange。Thepowersofsocietyaremoreorlessfugitive，liketheyearswhichwespendupontheearth;theysucceedeachotherwithrapidity，likethefleetingcaresoflife;andnogovernmenthaseveryetbeenfoundeduponaninvariabledispositionofthehumanheart，oruponanimperishableinterest。
　　Aslongasareligionissustainedbythosefeelings，propensities，andpassionswhicharefoundtooccurunderthesameforms，atallthedifferentperiodsofhistory，itmaydefytheeffortsoftime;oratleastitcanonlybedestroyedbyanotherreligion。Butwhenreligionclingstotheinterestsoftheworld，itbecomesalmostasfragileathingasthepowersofearth。Itistheonlyoneofthemallwhichcanhopeforimmortality;butifitbeconnectedwiththeirephemeralauthority，itsharestheirfortunes，andmayfallwiththosetransientpassionswhichsupportedthemforaday。Thealliancewhichreligioncontractswithpoliticalpowersmustneedsbeoneroustoitself;sinceitdoesnotrequiretheirassistancetolive，andbygivingthemitsassistancetolive，andbygivingthemitsassistanceitmaybeexposedtodecay。
　　ThedangerwhichIhavejustpointedoutalwaysexists，butitisnotalwaysequallyvisible。Insomeagesgovernmentsseemtobeimperishable;inothers，theexistenceofsocietyappearstobemoreprecariousthanthelifeofman。Someconstitutionsplungethecitizensintoalethargicsomnolence，andothersrousethemtofeverishexcitement。Whengovernmentsappeartobesostrong，andlawssostable，mendonotperceivethedangerswhichmayaccruefromaunionofChurchandState。Whengovernmentsdisplaysomuchweakness，andlawssomuchinconstancy，thedangerisself—evident，butitisnolongerpossibletoavoidit;
　　tobeeffectual，measuresmustbetakentodiscoveritsapproach。
　　Inproportionasanationassumesademocraticconditionofsociety，andascommunitiesdisplaydemocraticpropensities，itbecomesmoreandmoredangeroustoconnectreligionwithpoliticalinstitutions;forthetimeiscomingwhenauthoritywillbebandiedfromhandtohand，whenpoliticaltheorieswillsucceedeachother，andwhenmen，laws，andconstitutionswilldisappear，orbemodifiedfromdaytoday，andthis，notforaseasononly，butunceasingly。Agitationandmutabilityareinherentinthenatureofdemocraticrepublics，justasstagnationandinertnessarethelawofabsolutemonarchies。
　　IftheAmericans，whochangetheheadoftheGovernmentonceinfouryears，whoelectnewlegislatorseverytwoyears，andrenewtheprovincialofficerseverytwelvemonth;iftheAmericans，whohaveabandonedthepoliticalworldtotheattemptsofinnovators，hadnotplacedreligionbeyondtheirreach，wherecoulditabideintheebbandflowofhumanopinions？wherewouldthatrespectwhichbelongstoitbepaid，amidstthestrugglesoffaction？andwhatwouldbecomeofitsimmortality，inthemidstofperpetualdecay？TheAmericanclergywerethefirsttoperceivethistruth，andtoactinconformitywithit。Theysawthattheymustrenouncetheirreligiousinfluence，iftheyweretostriveforpoliticalpower;andtheychosetogiveupthesupportoftheState，ratherthantoshareitsvicissitudes。
　　InAmerica，religionisperhapslesspowerfulthanithasbeenatcertainperiodsinthehistoryofcertainpeoples;butitsinfluenceismorelasting。Itrestrictsitselftoitsownresources，butofthosenonecandepriveit:itscircleislimitedtocertainprinciples，butthoseprinciplesareentirelyitsown，andunderitsundisputedcontrol。
　　OneverysideinEuropewehearvoicescomplainingoftheabsenceofreligiousfaith，andinquiringthemeansofrestoringtoreligionsomeremnantofitspristineauthority。Itseemstomethatwemustfirstattentivelyconsiderwhatoughttobethenaturalstateofmenwithregardtoreligionatthepresenttime;
　　andwhenweknowwhatwehavetohopeandtofear，wemaydiscerntheendtowhichoureffortsoughttobedirected。
　　Thetwogreatdangerswhichthreatentheexistenceofreligionsareschismandindifference。Inagesofferventdevotion，mensometimesabandontheirreligion，buttheyonlyshakeitoffinordertoadoptanother。Theirfaithchangestheobjectstowhichitisdirected，butitsuffersnodecline。Theoldreligionthenexcitesenthusiasticattachmentorbitterenmityineitherparty;someleaveitwithanger，othersclingtoitwithincreaseddevotedness，andalthoughpersuasionsdiffer，irreligionisunknown。Such，however，isnotthecasewhenareligiousbeliefissecretlyunderminedbydoctrineswhichmaybetermednegative，sincetheydenythetruthofonereligionwithoutaffirmingthatofanyother。Progidiousrevolutionsthentakeplaceinthehumanmind，withouttheapparentco—operationofthepassionsofman，andalmostwithouthisknowledge。Menlosetheobjectsoftheirfondesthopes，asifthroughforgetfulness。Theyarecarriedawaybyanimperceptiblecurrentwhichtheyhavenotthecouragetostem，butwhichtheyfollowwithregret，sinceitbearsthemfromafaiththeylove，toascepticismthatplungesthemintodespair。