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element wanting to the freedom and happiness of the human race is to believe in some blind cosmogony； or to assert with Cabanis the secretion of thought by the brain； I can only reply that those who hold this language have never been in America； and that they have never seen a religious or a free nation。 When they return from their expedition； we shall hear what they have to say。
There are persons in France who look upon republican institutions as a temporary means of power； of wealth； and distinction； men who are the condottieri of liberty； and who fight for their own advantage； whatever be the colors they wear： it is not to these that I address myself。 But there are others who look forward to the republican form of government as a tranquil and lasting state； towards which modern society is daily impelled by the ideas and manners of the time； and who sincerely desire to prepare men to be free。 When these men attack religious opinions； they obey the dictates of their passions to the prejudice of their interests。 Despotism may govern without faith； but liberty cannot。 Religion is much more necessary in the republic which they set forth in glowing colors than in the monarchy which they attack； and it is more needed in democratic republics than in any others。 How is it possible that society should escape destruction if the moral tie be not strengthened in proportion as the political tie is relaxed？ and what can be done with a people which is its own master； if it be not submissive to the Divinity？
Chapter XVII： Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic … Part III
Principal Causes Which Render Religion Powerful In America Care taken by the Americans to separate the Church from the State … The laws； public opinion； and even the exertions of the clergy concur to promote this end … Influence of religion upon the mind in the United States attributable to this cause … Reason of this … What is the natural state of men with regard to religion at the present time … What are the peculiar and incidental causes which prevent men； in certain countries； from arriving at this state。
The philosophers of the eighteenth century explained the gradual decay of religious faith in a very simple manner。 Religious zeal； said they； must necessarily fail； the more generally liberty is established and knowledge diffused。 Unfortunately； facts are by no means in accordance with their theory。 There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equalled by their ignorance and their debasement； whilst in America one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world fulfils all the outward duties of religious fervor。
Upon my arrival in the United States； the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention； and the longer I stayed there the more did I perceive the great political consequences resulting from this state of things； to which I was unaccustomed。 In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom pursuing courses diametrically opposed to each other； but in America I found that they were intimately united； and that they reigned in common over the same country。 My desire to discover the causes of this phenomenon increased from day to day。 In order to satisfy it I questioned the members of all the different sects； and I more especially sought the society of the clergy； who are the depositaries of the different persuasions； and who are more especially interested in their duration。 As a member of the Roman Catholic Church I was more particularly brought into contact with several of its priests； with whom I became intimately acquainted。 To each of these men I expressed my astonishment and I explained my doubts； I found that they differed upon matters of detail alone； and that they mainly attributed the peaceful dominion of religion in their country to the separation of Church and State。 I do not hesitate to affirm that during my stay in America I did not meet with a single individual； of the clergy or of the laity； who was not of the same opinion upon this point。
This led me to examine more attentively than I had hitherto done； the station which the American clergy occupy in political society。 I learned with surprise that they filled no public appointments； *f not one of them is to be met with in the administration； and they are not even represented in the legislative assemblies。 In several States *g the law excludes them from political life； public opinion in all。 And when I came to inquire into the prevailing spirit of the clergy I found that most of its members seemed to retire of their own accord from the exercise of power； and that they made it the pride of their profession to abstain from politics。
＇Footnote f： Unless this term be applied to the functions which many of them fill in the schools。 Almost all education is entrusted to the clergy。＇
＇Footnote g： See the Constitution of New York； art。 7； Section 4： … 〃And whereas the ministers of the gospel are； by their profession； dedicated to the service of God and the care of souls； and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions： therefore no minister of the gospel； or priest of any denomination whatsoever； shall at any time hereafter； under any pretence or description whatever； be eligible to； or capable of holding； any civil or military office or place within this State。〃
See also the constitutions of North Carolina； art。 31； Virginia； South Carolina； art。 I； Section 23； Kentucky； art。 2； Section 26； Tennessee； art。 8； Section I； Louisiana； art。 2； Section 22。＇
I heard them inveigh against ambition and deceit； under whatever political opinions these vices might chance to lurk； but I learned from their discourses that men are not guilty in the eye of God for any opinions concerning political government which they may profess with sincerity； any more than they are for their mistakes in building a house or in driving a furrow。 I perceived that these ministers of the gospel eschewed all parties with the anxiety attendant upon personal interest。 These facts convinced me that what I had been told was true； and it then became my object to investigate their causes； and to inquire how it happened that the real authority of religion was increased by a state of things which diminished its apparent force： these causes did not long escape my researches。
The short space of threescore years can never content the imagination of man； nor can the imperfect joys of this world satisfy his heart。 Man alone； of all created beings； displays a natural contempt of existence； and yet a boundless desire to exist； he scorns life； but he dreads annihilation。 These different feelings incessantly urge his soul to the contemplation of a future state； and religion directs his musings thither。 Religion； then； is simply another form of hope； and it is no less natural to the human heart than hope itself。 Men cannot abandon their religious faith without a kind of aberration of intellect； and a sort of violent distortion of their true natures； but they are invincibly brought back to more pious sentiments； for unbelief is an accident； and faith is the only permanent state