democracy in america-1-第142章
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deal of precious time in making the harbor； or in waiting for a favorable wind to leave it； and he pays daily dues to be allowed to remain there。 The American starts from Boston to go to purchase tea in China； he arrives at Canton； stays there a few days； and then returns。 In less than two years he has sailed as far as the entire circumference of the globe； and he has seen land but once。 It is true that during a voyage of eight or ten months he has drunk brackish water and lived upon salt meat； that he has been in a continual contest with the sea； with disease； and with a tedious existence； but upon his return he can sell a pound of his tea for a half…penny less than the English merchant； and his purpose is accomplished。
I cannot better explain my meaning than by saying that the Americans affect a sort of heroism in their manner of trading。 But the European merchant will always find it very difficult to imitate his American competitor； who； in adopting the system which I have just described； follows not only a calculation of his gain； but an impulse of his nature。
The inhabitants of the United States are subject to all the wants and all the desires which result from an advanced stage of civilization； but as they are not surrounded by a community admirably adapted； like that of Europe； to satisfy their wants； they are often obliged to procure for themselves the various articles which education and habit have rendered necessaries。 In America it sometimes happens that the same individual tills his field； builds his dwelling； contrives his tools； makes his shoes； and weaves the coarse stuff of which his dress is composed。 This circumstance is prejudicial to the excellence of the work； but it powerfully contributes to awaken the intelligence of the workman。 Nothing tends to materialize man； and to deprive his work of the faintest trace of mind； more than extreme division of labor。 In a country like America； where men devoted to special occupations are rare； a long apprenticeship cannot be required from anyone who embraces a profession。 The Americans； therefore； change their means of gaining a livelihood very readily； and they suit their occupations to the exigencies of the moment； in the manner most profitable to themselves。 Men are to be met with who have successively been barristers； farmers； merchants； ministers of the gospel； and physicians。 If the American be less perfect in each craft than the European； at least there is scarcely any trade with which he is utterly unacquainted。 His capacity is more general； and the circle of his intelligence is enlarged。
The inhabitants of the United States are never fettered by the axioms of their profession； they escape from all the prejudices of their present station； they are not more attached to one line of operation than to another； they are not more prone to employ an old method than a new one； they have no rooted habits； and they easily shake off the influence which the habits of other nations might exercise upon their minds from a conviction that their country is unlike any other； and that its situation is without a precedent in the world。 America is a land of wonders； in which everything is in constant motion； and every movement seems an improvement。 The idea of novelty is there indissolubly connected with the idea of amelioration。 No natural boundary seems to be set to the efforts of man； and what is not yet done is only what he has not yet attempted to do。
This perpetual change which goes on in the United States； these frequent vicissitudes of fortune； accompanied by such unforeseen fluctuations in private and in public wealth； serve to keep the minds of the citizens in a perpetual state of feverish agitation； which admirably invigorates their exertions； and keeps them in a state of excitement above the ordinary level of mankind。 The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance； a revolutionary crisis； or a battle。 As the same causes are continually in operation throughout the country； they ultimately impart an irresistible impulse to the national character。 The American； taken as a chance specimen of his countrymen； must then be a man of singular warmth in his desires； enterprising； fond of adventure； and； above all； of innovation。 The same bent is manifest in all that he does； he introduces it into his political laws； his religious doctrines； his theories of social economy； and his domestic occupations； he bears it with him in the depths of the backwoods； as well as in the business of the city。 It is this same passion； applied to maritime commerce； which makes him the cheapest and the quickest trader in the world。
As long as the sailors of the United States retain these inspiriting advantages； and the practical superiority which they derive from them； they will not only continue to supply the wants of the producers and consumers of their own country； but they will tend more and more to become； like the English； the factors of all other peoples。 *k This prediction has already begun to be realized； we perceive that the American traders are introducing themselves as intermediate agents in the commerce of several European nations； *l and America will offer a still wider field to their enterprise。
＇Footnote k： It must not be supposed that English vessels are exclusively employed in transporting foreign produce into England； or British produce to foreign countries； at the present day the merchant shipping of England may be regarded in the light of a vast system of public conveyances； ready to serve all the producers of the world； and to open communications between all peoples。 The maritime genius of the Americans prompts them to enter into competition with the English。＇
＇Footnote l： Part of the commerce of the Mediterranean is already carried on by American vessels。＇
The great colonies which were founded in South America by the Spaniards and the Portuguese have since become empires。 Civil war and oppression now lay waste those extensive regions。 Population does not increase； and the thinly scattered inhabitants are too much absorbed in the cares of self…defense even to attempt any amelioration of their condition。 Such； however； will not always be the case。 Europe has succeeded by her own efforts in piercing the gloom of the Middle Ages； South America has the same Christian laws and Christian manners as we have； she contains all the germs of civilization which have grown amidst the nations of Europe or their offsets； added to the advantages to be derived from our example： why then should she always remain uncivilized？ It is clear that the question is simply one of time； at some future period； which may be more or less remote； the inhabitants of South America will constitute flourishing and enlightened nations。
But when the Spaniards and Portuguese of South America begin to feel the wants common to all civilized nations； they will still be unable to satisfy those wants for themselves； as the youngest children of civilization； they must perforce admit the superiority of their elder brethren。 They will be agriculturists long before they succeed in manufactures or commerce； and they will require the mediation of strangers to exchange their produce beyond seas for those articles for which a demand will begin to be felt。
It is unquestionable that the Americans of the North will one day supply the wants of the Americans of the South。 Nature has placed them in contiguity； and has furnished the former with every means of knowing and appreciating those demands； of establishing a permanent connection with those States； and of gradually filling their markets。 The merchants of the United States could only forfeit these natural advantages if he were very inferior to the merchant of Europe； to whom he is； on the contrary； superior in several respects。 The Americans of the United States already exercise a very considerable moral influence upon all the peoples of the New World。 They are the source of intelligence； and all the nations which inhabit the same continent are already accustomed to consider them as the most enlightened； the most powerful； and the most wealthy members of the great American family。 All eyes are therefore turned t
