democracy in america-1-第79章
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terest of the poor is always endangered； and when the poor make the laws； that of the rich incurs very serious risks。 The advantage of democracy does not consist； therefore； as has sometimes been asserted； in favoring the prosperity of all； but simply in contributing to the well…being of the greatest possible number。
The men who are entrusted with the direction of public affairs in the United States are frequently inferior； both in point of capacity and of morality； to those whom aristocratic institutions would raise to power。 But their interest is identified and confounded with that of the majority of their fellow…citizens。 They may frequently be faithless and frequently mistaken； but they will never systematically adopt a line of conduct opposed to the will of the majority； and it is impossible that they should give a dangerous or an exclusive tendency to the government。
The mal…administration of a democratic magistrate is a mere isolated fact； which only occurs during the short period for which he is elected。 Corruption and incapacity do not act as common interests； which may connect men permanently with one another。 A corrupt or an incapable magistrate will not concert his measures with another magistrate； simply because that individual is as corrupt and as incapable as himself； and these two men will never unite their endeavors to promote the corruption and inaptitude of their remote posterity。 The ambition and the manoeuvres of the one will serve； on the contrary； to unmask the other。 The vices of a magistrate； in democratic states； are usually peculiar to his own person。
But under aristocratic governments public men are swayed by the interest of their order； which； if it is sometimes confounded with the interests of the majority； is very frequently distinct from them。 This interest is the common and lasting bond which unites them together； it induces them to coalesce； and to combine their efforts in order to attain an end which does not always ensure the greatest happiness of the greatest number； and it serves not only to connect the persons in authority； but to unite them to a considerable portion of the community； since a numerous body of citizens belongs to the aristocracy； without being invested with official functions。 The aristocratic magistrate is therefore constantly supported by a portion of the community； as well as by the Government of which he is a member。
The common purpose which connects the interest of the magistrates in aristocracies with that of a portion of their contemporaries identifies it with that of future generations； their influence belongs to the future as much as to the present。 The aristocratic magistrate is urged at the same time toward the same point by the passions of the community； by his own； and I may almost add by those of his posterity。 Is it； then； wonderful that he does not resist such repeated impulses？ And indeed aristocracies are often carried away by the spirit of their order without being corrupted by it； and they unconsciously fashion society to their own ends； and prepare it for their own descendants。
The English aristocracy is perhaps the most liberal which ever existed； and no body of men has ever； uninterruptedly； furnished so many honorable and enlightened individuals to the government of a country。 It cannot； however； escape observation that in the legislation of England the good of the poor has been sacrificed to the advantage of the rich； and the rights of the majority to the privileges of the few。 The consequence is； that England； at the present day； combines the extremes of fortune in the bosom of her society； and her perils and calamities are almost equal to her power and her renown。 *a
＇Footnote a： ＇The legislation of England for the forty years is certainly not fairly open to this criticism； which was written before the Reform Bill of 1832； and accordingly Great Britain has thus far escaped and surmounted the perils and calamities to which she seemed to be exposed。＇＇
In the United States； where the public officers have no interests to promote connected with their caste； the general and constant influence of the Government is beneficial； although the individuals who conduct it are frequently unskilful and sometimes contemptible。 There is indeed a secret tendency in democratic institutions to render the exertions of the citizens subservient to the prosperity of the community； notwithstanding their private vices and mistakes； whilst in aristocratic institutions there is a secret propensity which； notwithstanding the talents and the virtues of those who conduct the government； leads them to contribute to the evils which oppress their fellow…creatures。 In aristocratic governments public men may frequently do injuries which they do not intend； and in democratic states they produce advantages which they never thought of。
Public Spirit In The United States
Patriotism of instinct … Patriotism of reflection … Their different characteristics … Nations ought to strive to acquire the second when the first has disappeared … Efforts of the Americans to it … Interest of the individual intimately connected with that of the country。
There is one sort of patriotic attachment which principally arises from that instinctive； disinterested； and undefinable feeling which connects the affections of man with his birthplace。 This natural fondness is united to a taste for ancient customs； and to a reverence for ancestral traditions of the past； those who cherish it love their country as they love the mansions of their fathers。 They enjoy the tranquillity which it affords them； they cling to the peaceful habits which they have contracted within its bosom； they are attached to the reminiscences which it awakens； and they are even pleased by the state of obedience in which they are placed。 This patriotism is sometimes stimulated by religious enthusiasm； and then it is capable of making the most prodigious efforts。 It is in itself a kind of religion； it does not reason； but it acts from the impulse of faith and of sentiment。 By some nations the monarch has been regarded as a personification of the country； and the fervor of patriotism being converted into the fervor of loyalty； they took a sympathetic pride in his conquests； and gloried in his power。 At one time； under the ancient monarchy； the French felt a sort of satisfaction in the sense of their dependence upon the arbitrary pleasure of their king； and they were wont to say with pride； 〃We are the subjects of the most powerful king in the world。〃
But； like all instinctive passions； this kind of patriotism is more apt to prompt transient exertion than to supply the motives of continuous endeavor。 It may save the State in critical circumstances； but it will not unfrequently allow the nation to decline in the midst of peace。 Whilst the manners of a people are simple and its faith unshaken； whilst society is steadily based upon traditional institutions whose legitimacy has never been contested； this instinctive patriotism is wont to endure。
But there is another species of attachment to a country which is more rational than the one we have been describing。 It is perhaps less generous and less ardent； but it is more fruitful and more lasting； it is coeval with the spread of knowledge； it is nurtured by the laws； it grows by the exercise of civil rights； and； in the end； it is confounded with the personal interest of the citizen。 A man comprehends the influence which the prosperity of his country has upon his own welfare； he is aware that the laws authorize him to contribute his assistance to that prosperity； and he labors to promote it as a portion of his interest in the first place； and as a portion of his right in the second。
But epochs sometimes occur； in the course of the existence of a nation； at which the ancient customs of a people are changed； public morality destroyed； religious belief disturbed； and the spell of tradition broken； whilst the diffusion of knowledge is yet imperfect； and the civil rights of the community are ill secured； or confined within very narrow limits。 The country then assumes a dim and dubious shape in the eyes of the citizens； they no longer behold it in the
