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h。 ＇All doubt as to the powers of the Federal Executive was； however； removed by its efforts in the Civil War； and those powers were largely extended。＇＇
The only safeguard which the American Union； with all the relative perfection of its laws； possesses against the dissolution which would be produced by a great war； lies in its probable exemption from that calamity。 Placed in the centre of an immense continent； which offers a boundless field for human industry； the Union is almost as much insulated from the world as if its frontiers were girt by the ocean。 Canada contains only a million of inhabitants； and its population is divided into two inimical nations。 The rigor of the climate limits the extension of its territory； and shuts up its ports during the six months of winter。 From Canada to the Gulf of Mexico a few savage tribes are to be met with； which retire； perishing in their retreat； before six thousand soldiers。 To the South； the Union has a point of contact with the empire of Mexico； and it is thence that serious hostilities may one day be expected to arise。 But for a long while to come the uncivilized state of the Mexican community； the depravity of its morals； and its extreme poverty； will prevent that country from ranking high amongst nations。 *w As for the Powers of Europe； they are too distant to be formidable。
＇Footnote w： ＇War broke out between the United States and Mexico in 1846； and ended in the conquest of an immense territory； including California。＇＇
The great advantage of the United States does not； then； consist in a Federal Constitution which allows them to carry on great wars； but in a geographical position which renders such enterprises extremely improbable。
No one can be more inclined than I am myself to appreciate the advantages of the federal system； which I hold to be one of the combinations most favorable to the prosperity and freedom of man。 I envy the lot of those nations which have been enabled to adopt it； but I cannot believe that any confederate peoples could maintain a long or an equal contest with a nation of similar strength in which the government should be centralized。 A people which should divide its sovereignty into fractional powers； in the presence of the great military monarchies of Europe； would； in my opinion； by that very act； abdicate its power； and perhaps its existence and its name。 But such is the admirable position of the New World that man has no other enemy than himself； and that； in order to be happy and to be free； it suffices to seek the gifts of prosperity and the knowledge of freedom。
Chapter XI： Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United States
I have hitherto examined the institutions of the United States； I have passed their legislation in review； and I have depicted the present characteristics of political society in that country。 But a sovereign power exists above these institutions and beyond these characteristic features which may destroy or modify them at its pleasure … I mean that of the people。 It remains to be shown in what manner this power； which regulates the laws； acts： its propensities and its passions remain to be pointed out； as well as the secret springs which retard； accelerate； or direct its irresistible course； and the effects of its unbounded authority； with the destiny which is probably reserved for it。
Chapter X： Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United States
In America the people appoints the legislative and the executive power； and furnishes the jurors who punish all offences against the laws。 The American institutions are democratic； not only in their principle but in all their consequences； and the people elects its representatives directly； and for the most part annually； in order to ensure their dependence。 The people is therefore the real directing power； and although the form of government is representative； it is evident that the opinions； the prejudices； the interests； and even the passions of the community are hindered by no durable obstacles from exercising a perpetual influence on society。 In the United States the majority governs in the name of the people； as is the case in all the countries in which the people is supreme。 The majority is principally composed of peaceful citizens who； either by inclination or by interest； are sincerely desirous of the welfare of their country。 But they are surrounded by the incessant agitation of parties； which attempt to gain their co…operation and to avail themselves of their support。 Chapter X： Parties In The United States
Chapter Summary
Great distinction to be made between parties … Parties which are to each other as rival nations … Parties properly so called … Difference between great and small parties … Epochs which produce them … Their characteristics … America has had great parties … They are extinct … Federalists … Republicans … Defeat of the Federalists … Difficulty of creating parties in the United States …What is done with this intention … Aristocratic or democratic character to be met with in all parties … Struggle of General Jackson against the Bank。
Parties In The United States
A great distinction must be made between parties。 Some countries are so large that the different populations which inhabit them have contradictory interests； although they are the subjects of the same Government； and they may thence be in a perpetual state of opposition。 In this case the different fractions of the people may more properly be considered as distinct nations than as mere parties； and if a civil war breaks out； the struggle is carried on by rival peoples rather than by factions in the State。
But when the citizens entertain different opinions upon subjects which affect the whole country alike； such； for instance； as the principles upon which the government is to be conducted； then distinctions arise which may correctly be styled parties。 Parties are a necessary evil in free governments； but they have not at all times the same character and the same propensities。
At certain periods a nation may be oppressed by such insupportable evils as to conceive the design of effecting a total change in its political constitution； at other times the mischief lies still deeper； and the existence of society itself is endangered。 Such are the times of great revolutions and of great parties。 But between these epochs of misery and of confusion there are periods during which human society seems to rest； and mankind to make a pause。 This pause is； indeed； only apparent； for time does not stop its course for nations any more than for men； they are all advancing towards a goal with which they are unacquainted； and we only imagine them to be stationary when their progress escapes our observation； as men who are going at a foot…pace seem to be standing still to those who run。
But however this may be； there are certain epochs at which the changes that take place in the social and political constitution of nations are so slow and so insensible that men imagine their present condition to be a final state； and the human mind； believing itself to be firmly based upon certain foundations； does not extend its researches be