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orld。 If； then； the Catholic citizens of the United States are not forcibly led by the nature of their tenets to adopt democratic and republican principles； at least they are not necessarily opposed to them； and their social position； as well as their limited number； obliges them to adopt these opinions。 Most of the Catholics are poor； and they have no chance of taking a part in the government unless it be open to all the citizens。 They constitute a minority； and all rights must be respected in order to insure to them the free exercise of their own privileges。 These two causes induce them； unconsciously； to adopt political doctrines； which they would perhaps support with less zeal if they were rich and preponderant。
The Catholic clergy of the United States has never attempted to oppose this political tendency； but it seeks rather to justify its results。 The priests in America have divided the intellectual world into two parts： in the one they place the doctrines of revealed religion； which command their assent； in the other they leave those truths which they believe to have been freely left open to the researches of political inquiry。 Thus the Catholics of the United States are at the same time the most faithful believers and the most zealous citizens。
It may be asserted that in the United States no religious doctrine displays the slightest hostility to democratic and republican institutions。 The clergy of all the different sects hold the same language； their opinions are consonant to the laws； and the human intellect flows onwards in one sole current。
I happened to be staying in one of the largest towns in the Union； when I was invited to attend a public meeting which had been called for the purpose of assisting the Poles； and of sending them supplies of arms and money。 I found two or three thousand persons collected in a vast hall which had been prepared to receive them。 In a short time a priest in his ecclesiastical robes advanced to the front of the hustings： the spectators rose； and stood uncovered； whilst he spoke in the following terms： …
〃Almighty God！ the God of Armies！ Thou who didst strengthen the hearts and guide the arms of our fathers when they were fighting for the sacred rights of national independence； Thou who didst make them triumph over a hateful oppression； and hast granted to our people the benefits of liberty and peace； Turn； O Lord； a favorable eye upon the other hemisphere； pitifully look down upon that heroic nation which is even now struggling as we did in the former time； and for the same rights which we defended with our blood。 Thou； who didst create Man in the likeness of the same image； let not tyranny mar Thy work； and establish inequality upon the earth。 Almighty God！ do Thou watch over the destiny of the Poles； and render them worthy to be free。 May Thy wisdom direct their councils； and may Thy strength sustain their arms！ Shed forth Thy terror over their enemies； scatter the powers which take counsel against them； and vouchsafe that the injustice which the world has witnessed for fifty years； be not consummated in our time。 O Lord； who holdest alike the hearts of nations and of men in Thy powerful hand； raise up allies to the sacred cause of right； arouse the French nation from the apathy in which its rulers retain it； that it go forth again to fight for the liberties of the world。
〃Lord； turn not Thou Thy face from us； and grant that we may always be the most religious as well as the freest people of the earth。 Almighty God； hear our supplications this day。 Save the Poles； we beseech Thee； in the name of Thy well…beloved Son； our Lord Jesus Christ； who died upon the cross for the salvation of men。 Amen。〃
The whole meeting responded 〃Amen！〃 with devotion。
Indirect Influence Of Religious Opinions Upon Political Society In The United States
Christian morality common to all sects … Influence of religion upon the manners of the Americans … Respect for the marriage tie … In what manner religion confines the imagination of the Americans within certain limits； and checks the passion of innovation … Opinion of the Americans on the political utility of religion … Their exertions to extend and secure its predominance。
I have just shown what the direct influence of religion upon politics is in the United States； but its indirect influence appears to me to be still more considerable； and it never instructs the Americans more fully in the art of being free than when it says nothing of freedom。
The sects which exist in the United States are innumerable。 They all differ in respect to the worship which is due from man to his Creator； but they all agree in respect to the duties which are due from man to man。 Each sect adores the Deity in its own peculiar manner； but all the sects preach the same moral law in the name of God。 If it be of the highest importance to man； as an individual； that his religion should be true； the case of society is not the same。 Society has no future life to hope for or to fear； and provided the citizens profess a religion； the peculiar tenets of that religion are of very little importance to its interests。 Moreover； almost all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity； and Christian morality is everywhere the same。
It may be believed without unfairness that a certain number of Americans pursue a peculiar form of worship； from habit more than from conviction。 In the United States the sovereign authority is religious； and consequently hypocrisy must be common； but 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； and there can be no greater proof of its utility； and of its conformity to human nature； than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth。
I have remarked that the members of the American clergy in general； without even excepting those who do not admit religious liberty； are all in favor of civil freedom； but they do not support any particular political system。 They keep aloof from parties and from public affairs。 In the United States religion exercises but little influence upon the laws and upon the details of public opinion； but it directs the manners of the community； and by regulating domestic life it regulates the State。
I do not question that the great austerity of manners which is observable in the United States； arises； in the first instance； from religious faith。 Religion is often unable to restrain man from the numberless temptations of fortune； nor can it check that passion for gain which every incident of his life contributes to arouse； but its influence over the mind of woman is supreme； and women are the protectors of morals。 There is certainly no country in the world where the tie of marriage is so much respected as in America； or where conjugal happiness is more highly or worthily appreciated。 In Europe almost all the disturbances of society arise from the irregularities of domestic life。 To despise the natural bonds and legitimate pleasures of home； is to contract a taste for excesses； a restlessness of heart； a