按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
should hasten to invoke the assistance of religion； for they must know that liberty cannot be established without morality； nor morality without faith； but they have seen religion in the ranks of their adversaries； and they inquire no further； some of them attack it openly； and the remainder are afraid to defend it。
In former ages slavery has been advocated by the venal and slavish…minded； whilst the independent and the warm…hearted were struggling without hope to save the liberties of mankind。 But men of high and generous characters are now to be met with； whose opinions are at variance with their inclinations； and who praise that servility which they have themselves never known。 Others； on the contrary； speak in the name of liberty； as if they were able to feel its sanctity and its majesty； and loudly claim for humanity those rights which they have always disowned。 There are virtuous and peaceful individuals whose pure morality； quiet habits； affluence； and talents fit them to be the leaders of the surrounding population； their love of their country is sincere； and they are prepared to make the greatest sacrifices to its welfare； but they confound the abuses of civilization with its benefits； and the idea of evil is inseparable in their minds from that of novelty。
Not far from this class is another party； whose object is to materialize mankind； to hit upon what is expedient without heeding what is just； to acquire knowledge without faith； and prosperity apart from virtue； assuming the title of the champions of modern civilization； and placing themselves in a station which they usurp with insolence； and from which they are driven by their own unworthiness。 Where are we then？ The religionists are the enemies of liberty； and the friends of liberty attack religion； the high… minded and the noble advocate subjection； and the meanest and most servile minds preach independence； honest and enlightened citizens are opposed to all progress； whilst men without patriotism and without principles are the apostles of civilization and of intelligence。 Has such been the fate of the centuries which have preceded our own？ and has man always inhabited a world like the present； where nothing is linked together； where virtue is without genius； and genius without honor； where the love of order is confounded with a taste for oppression； and the holy rites of freedom with a contempt of law； where the light thrown by conscience on human actions is dim； and where nothing seems to be any longer forbidden or allowed； honorable or shameful； false or true？ I cannot； however； believe that the Creator made man to leave him in an endless struggle with the intellectual miseries which surround us： God destines a calmer and a more certain future to the communities of Europe； I am unacquainted with His designs； but I shall not cease to believe in them because I cannot fathom them； and I had rather mistrust my own capacity than His justice。
There is a country in the world where the great revolution which I am speaking of seems nearly to have reached its natural limits； it has been effected with ease and simplicity； say rather that this country has attained the consequences of the democratic revolution which we are undergoing without having experienced the revolution itself。 The emigrants who fixed themselves on the shores of America in the beginning of the seventeenth century severed the democratic principle from all the principles which repressed it in the old communities of Europe； and transplanted it unalloyed to the New World。 It has there been allowed to spread in perfect freedom； and to put forth its consequences in the laws by influencing the manners of the country。
It appears to me beyond a doubt that sooner or later we shall arrive； like the Americans； at an almost complete equality of conditions。 But I do not conclude from this that we shall ever be necessarily led to draw the same political consequences which the Americans have derived from a similar social organization。 I am far from supposing that they have chosen the only form of government which a democracy may adopt； but the identity of the efficient cause of laws and manners in the two countries is sufficient to account for the immense interest we have in becoming acquainted with its effects in each of them。
It is not； then； merely to satisfy a legitimate curiosity that I have examined America； my wish has been to find instruction by which we may ourselves profit。 Whoever should imagine that I have intended to write a panegyric will perceive that such was not my design； nor has it been my object to advocate any form of government in particular； for I am of opinion that absolute excellence is rarely to be found in any legislation； I have not even affected to discuss whether the social revolution； which I believe to be irresistible； is advantageous or prejudicial to mankind； I have acknowledged this revolution as a fact already accomplished or on the eve of its accomplishment； and I have selected the nation； from amongst those which have undergone it； in which its development has been the most peaceful and the most complete； in order to discern its natural consequences； and； if it be possible； to distinguish the means by which it may be rendered profitable。 I confess that in America I saw more than America； I sought the image of democracy itself； with its inclinations； its character； its prejudices； and its passions； in order to learn what we have to fear or to hope from its progress。
In the first part of this work I have attempted to show the tendency given to the laws by the democracy of America； which is abandoned almost without restraint to its instinctive propensities； and to exhibit the course it prescribes to the Government and the influence it exercises on affairs。 I have sought to discover the evils and the advantages which it produces。 I have examined the precautions used by the Americans to direct it； as well as those which they have not adopted； and I have undertaken to point out the causes which enable it to govern society。 I do not know whether I have succeeded in making known what I saw in America； but I am certain that such has been my sincere desire； and that I have never； knowingly； moulded facts to ideas； instead of ideas to facts。
Whenever a point could be established by the aid of written documents； I have had recourse to the original text； and to the most authentic and approved works。 I have cited my authorities in the notes； and anyone may refer to them。 Whenever an opinion； a political custom； or a remark on the manners of the country was concerned； I endeavored to consult the most enlightened men I met with。 If the point in question was important or doubtful； I was not satisfied with one testimony； but I formed my opinion on the evidence of several witnesses。 Here the reader must necessarily believeme upon my word。 I could frequently have quoted names which are either known to him； or which deserve to be so； in proof of what I advance； but I have carefully abstained from this practice。 A stranger frequently hears important truths at the fire…side of his host； which the latter would perhaps conceal from the ear of friendship； he consoles