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of this order of things … In the United States the interests of the country are everywhere kept in view … Support given to the Government by the community … Provincial institutions more necessary in proportion as the social condition becomes more democratic … Reason of this。
Centralization is become a word of general and daily use； without any precise meaning being attached to it。 Nevertheless； there exist two distinct kinds of centralization； which it is necessary to discriminate with accuracy。 Certain interests are common to all parts of a nation； such as the enactment of its general laws and the maintenance of its foreign relations。 Other interests are peculiar to certain parts of the nation； such； for instance； as the business of different townships。 When the power which directs the general interests is centred in one place； or vested in the same persons； it constitutes a central government。 In like manner the power of directing partial or local interests； when brought together into one place； constitutes what may be termed a central administration。
Upon some points these two kinds of centralization coalesce； but by classifying the objects which fall more particularly within the province of each of them； they may easily be distinguished。 It is evident that a central government acquires immense power when united to administrative centralization。 Thus combined； it accustoms men to set their own will habitually and completely aside； to submit； not only for once； or upon one point； but in every respect； and at all times。 Not only； therefore； does this union of power subdue them compulsorily； but it affects them in the ordinary habits of life； and influences each individual； first separately and then collectively。
These two kinds of centralization mutually assist and attract each other； but they must not be supposed to be inseparable。 It is impossible to imagine a more completely central government than that which existed in France under Louis XIV。； when the same individual was the author and the interpreter of the laws； and the representative of France at home and abroad； he was justified in asserting that the State was identified with his person。 Nevertheless； the administration was much less centralized under Louis XIV。 than it is at the present day。
In England the centralization of the government is carried to great perfection； the State has the compact vigor of a man； and by the sole act of its will it puts immense engines in motion； and wields or collects the efforts of its authority。 Indeed； I cannot conceive that a nation can enjoy a secure or prosperous existence without a powerful centralization of government。 But I am of opinion that a central administration enervates the nations in which it exists by incessantly diminishing their public spirit。 If such an administration succeeds in condensing at a given moment； on a given point； all the disposable resources of a people； it impairs at least the renewal of those resources。 It may ensure a victory in the hour of strife； but it gradually relaxes the sinews of strength。 It may contribute admirably to the transient greatness of a man； but it cannot ensure the durable prosperity of a nation。
If we pay proper attention； we shall find that whenever it is said that a State cannot act because it has no central point； it is the centralization of the government in which it is deficient。 It is frequently asserted； and we are prepared to assent to the proposition； that the German empire was never able to bring all its powers into action。 But the reason was； that the State was never able to enforce obedience to its general laws； because the several members of that great body always claimed the right； or found the means； of refusing their co…operation to the representatives of the common authority； even in the affairs which concerned the mass of the people； in other words； because there was no centralization of government。 The same remark is applicable to the Middle Ages； the cause of all the confusion of feudal society was that the control； not only of local but of general interests； was divided amongst a thousand hands； and broken up in a thousand different ways； the absence of a central government prevented the nations of Europe from advancing with energy in any straightforward course。
We have shown that in the United States no central administration and no dependent series of public functionaries exist。 Local authority has been carried to lengths which no European nation could endure without great inconvenience； and which has even produced some disadvantageous consequences in America。 But in the United States the centralization of the Government is complete； and it would be easy to prove that the national power is more compact than it has ever been in the old nations of Europe。 Not only is there but one legislative body in each State； not only does there exist but one source of political authority； but district assemblies and county courts have not in general been multiplied； lest they should be tempted to exceed their administrative duties； and interfere with the Government。 In America the legislature of each State is supreme； nothing can impede its authority； neither privileges； nor local immunities； nor personal influence； nor even the empire of reason； since it represents that majority which claims to be the sole organ of reason。 Its own determination is； therefore； the only limit to this action。 In juxtaposition to it； and under its immediate control； is the representative of the executive power； whose duty it is to constrain the refractory to submit by superior force。 The only symptom of weakness lies in certain details of the action of the Government。 The American republics have no standing armies to intimidate a discontented minority； but as no minority has as yet been reduced to declare open war； the necessity of an army has not been felt。 *q The State usually employs the officers of the township or the county to deal with the citizens。 Thus； for instance； in New England； the assessor fixes the rate of taxes； the collector receives them； the town…treasurer transmits the amount to the public treasury； and the disputes which may arise are brought before the ordinary courts of justice。 This method of collecting taxes is slow as well as inconvenient； and it would prove a perpetual hindrance to a Government whose pecuniary demands were large。 It is desirable that； in whatever materially affects its existence； the Government should be served by officers of its own； appointed by itself； removable at pleasure； and accustomed to rapid methods of proceeding。 But it will always be easy for the central government； organized as it is in America； to introduce new and more efficacious modes of action； proportioned to its wants。 ＇Footnote q： ＇The Civil War of 1860…65 cruelly belied this statement； and in the course of the struggle the North alone called two millions and a half of men to arms； but to the honor of the United States it must be added that； with the cessation of the contest； this army disappeared as rapidly as it had been raised。 … Translator's Note。＇＇
The absence of a central government will not； then； as has often been assert