Democracy in America, Volume 1 |
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21st Congress absolute monarchies administration advantages affairs American amongst Anglo-Americans aristocracy Atlantic Ocean authority body cause central citizens civil classes condition confederate Congress consequences Court of Sessions courts of justice dangers democracy Democracy in America democratic democratic republic derived despotism election England English equality eral established Europe European evil executive government executive power exercise existence favorable Federal Constitution Federal government France French functionaries habits human increase independence Indians individual influence inhabitants institutions interests judges judicial power jury labor land laws legislation legislature less liberty magistrate majority manners means ment monarchy moral nations natural Negroes never North obliged opinion parties passions perceive political population possession present President principle prosperity public officers race religion representatives republican Revolution Senate slavery slaves social society South sovereignty territory tion Tocqueville township trial by jury tribunal tyranny Union United universal suffrage whilst whites
Popular passages
Page 297 - The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.
Page 43 - Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
Page 42 - IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord King James, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, etc.
Page 144 - The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties,...
Page 76 - Nevertheless, local assemblies of citizens constitute the strength of free nations. Municipal institutions are to liberty what primary schools are to science ; they bring it within the people's reach, they teach men how to use and how to enjoy it. A nation may establish a system of free government, but without the spirit of municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty.
Page 499 - The Union was formed by the voluntary agreement of the States; and, in uniting together, they have not forfeited their nationality, nor have they been reduced to the condition of one and the same people. If one of the States chose to withdraw its name from the contract, it would be difficult to disprove its right of doing so; and the Federal Government would have no means of maintaining its claims directly, either by force or by right.
Page 242 - The citizen of the United States is taught from infancy to rely upon his own exertions, in order to resist the evils and the difficulties of life ; he looks upon the social authority with au eye of mistrust and anxiety, and he claims its assistance only when he is unable to do without it. This habit may be traced even in the schools...
Page 388 - There is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America...
Page 42 - King, defender of the faith, &c., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic...
Page xxxv - If ever the free institutions of America are destroyed, that event may be attributed to the unlimited authority of the majority, which may at some future time urge the minorities to desperation, and oblige them to have recourse to physical force. Anarchy will then be the result, but it will have been brought about by despotism.