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hip of New England is so constituted as to excite the warmest of human affections； without arousing the ambitious passions of the heart of man。 The officers of the country are not elected； and their authority is very limited。 Even the State is only a second…rate community； whose tranquil and obscure administration offers no inducement sufficient to draw men away from the circle of their interests into the turmoil of public affairs。 The federal government confers power and honor on the men who conduct it； but these individuals can never be very numerous。 The high station of the Presidency can only be reached at an advanced period of life； and the other federal functionaries are generally men who have been favored by fortune； or distinguished in some other career。 Such cannot be the permanent aim of the ambitious。 But the township serves as a centre for the desire of public esteem； the want of exciting interests； and the taste for authority and popularity； in the midst of the ordinary relations of life； and the passions which commonly embroil society change their character when they find a vent so near the domestic hearth and the family circle。
In the American States power has been disseminated with admirable skill for the purpose of interesting the greatest possible number of persons in the common weal。 Independently of the electors who are from time to time called into action； the body politic is divided into innumerable functionaries and officers； who all； in their several spheres； represent the same powerful whole in whose name they act。 The local administration thus affords an unfailing source of profit and interest to a vast number of individuals。
The American system； which divides the local authority among so many citizens； does not scruple to multiply the functions of the town officers。 For in the United States it is believed； and with truth； that patriotism is a kind of devotion which is strengthened by ritual observance。 In this manner the activity of the township is continually perceptible； it is daily manifested in the fulfilment of a duty or the exercise of a right； and a constant though gentle motion is thus kept up in society which animates without disturbing it。
The American attaches himself to his home as the mountaineer clings to his hills； because the characteristic features of his country are there more distinctly marked than elsewhere。 The existence of the townships of New England is in general a happy one。 Their government is suited to their tastes； and chosen by themselves。 In the midst of the profound peace and general comfort which reign in America the commotions of municipal discord are unfrequent。 The conduct of local business is easy。 The political education of the people has long been complete； say rather that it was complete when the people first set foot upon the soil。 In New England no tradition exists of a distinction of ranks； no portion of the community is tempted to oppress the remainder； and the abuses which may injure isolated individuals are forgotten in the general contentment which prevails。 If the government is defective （and it would no doubt be easy to point out its deficiencies）； the fact that it really emanates from those it governs； and that it acts； either ill or well； casts the protecting spell of a parental pride over its faults。 No term of comparison disturbs the satisfaction of the citizen： England formerly governed the mass of the colonies； but the people was always sovereign in the township where its rule is not only an ancient but a primitive state。
The native of New England is attached to his township because it is independent and free： his co…operation in its affairs ensures his attachment to its interest； the well…being it affords him secures his affection； and its welfare is the aim of his ambition and of his future exertions： he takes a part in every occurrence in the place； he practises the art of government in the small sphere within his reach； he accustoms himself to those forms which can alone ensure the steady progress of liberty； he imbibes their spirit； he acquires a taste for order； comprehends the union or the balance of powers； and collects clear practical notions on the nature of his duties and the extent of his rights。
The Counties Of New England
The division of the countries in America has considerable analogy with that of the arrondissements of France。 The limits of the counties are arbitrarily laid down； and the various districts which they contain have no necessary connection； no common tradition or natural sympathy； their object is simply to facilitate the administration of justice。
The extent of the township was too small to contain a system of judicial institutions； each county has； however； a court of justice； *f a sheriff to execute its decrees； and a prison for criminals。 There are certain wants which are felt alike by all the townships of a county； it is therefore natural that they should be satisfied by a central authority。 In the State of Massachusetts this authority is vested in the hands of several magistrates； who are appointed by the Governor of the State； with the advice *g of his council。 *h The officers of the county have only a limited and occasional authority； which is applicable to certain predetermined cases。 The State and the townships possess all the power requisite to conduct public business。 The budget of the county is drawn up by its officers； and is voted by the legislature； but there is no assembly which directly or indirectly represents the county。 It has； therefore； properly speaking； no political existence。
＇Footnote f： See the Act of February 14； 1821； Laws of Massachusetts； vol。 i。 p。 551。＇
＇Footnote g： See the Act of February 20； 1819； Laws of Massachusetts； vol。 ii。 p。 494。＇
＇Footnote h： The council of the Governor is an elective body。＇ A twofold tendency may be discerned in the American constitutions； which impels the legislator to centralize the legislative and to disperse the executive power。 The township of New England has in itself an indestructible element of independence； and this distinct existence could only be fictitiously introduced into the county； where its utility has not been felt。 But all the townships united have but one representation； which is the State； the centre of the national authority： beyond the action of the township and that of the nation； nothing can be said to exist but the influence of individual exertion。
Administration In New England
Administration not perceived in America … Why？ … The Europeans believe that liberty is promoted by depriving the social authority of some of its rights； the Americans； by dividing its exercise … Almost all the administration confined to the township； and divided amongst the town…officers … No trace of an administrative body to be perceived； either in the township or above it …The reason of this … How it happens that the administration of the State is uniform … Who is empowered to enforce the obedience of the township and the county to the law … The introduction of judicial power into the administration … Consequence of the extension of the elective principle to all functionaries … The Justice of the Peac