although the form of government is representative,
it is evident that the opinions, the prejudices, the
interests, and even the passions of the community
are hindered by no durable obstacles from exercising
a perpetual influence on society. In the United
States the majority governs in the name of the people,
as is the case in all the countries in which the people
is supreme. The majority is principally composed
of peaceful citizens who, either by inclination or
by interest, are sincerely desirous of the welfare
of their country. But they are surrounded by
the incessant agitation of parties, which attempt to
gain their co-operation and to avail themselves of
their support.
Chapter Summary
Great distinction to be made between parties—Parties
which are to each other as rival nations—Parties
properly so called—Difference between great
and small parties—Epochs which produce them—Their
characteristics—America has had great parties—They
are extinct—Federalists—Republicans—Defeat
of the Federalists—Difficulty of creating
parties in the United States—What is done
with this intention—Aristocratic or democratic
character to be met with in all parties—Struggle
of General Jackson against the Bank.
Parties In The United States
A great distinction must be made between parties.
Some countries are so large that the different populations
which inhabit them have contradictory interests, although
they are the subjects of the same Government, and
they may thence be in a perpetual state of opposition.
In this case the different fractions of the people
may more properly be considered as distinct nations
than as mere parties; and if a civil war breaks out,
the struggle is carried on by rival peoples rather
than by factions in the State.
But when the citizens entertain different opinions
upon subjects which affect the whole country alike,
such, for instance, as the principles upon which the
government is to be conducted, then distinctions arise
which may correctly be styled parties. Parties
are a necessary evil in free governments; but they
have not at all times the same character and the same
propensities.
At certain periods a nation may be oppressed by such
insupportable evils as to conceive the design of effecting
a total change in its political constitution; at other
times the mischief lies still deeper, and the existence
of society itself is endangered. Such are the
times of great revolutions and of great parties.
But between these epochs of misery and of confusion
there are periods during which human society seems
to rest, and mankind to make a pause. This pause
is, indeed, only apparent, for time does not stop
its course for nations any more than for men; they
are all advancing towards a goal with which they are
unacquainted; and we only imagine them to be stationary
when their progress escapes our observation, as men
who are going at a foot-pace seem to be standing still
to those who run.
