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nstitutions awaken and foster a passion for equality which they can never entirely satisfy。 This complete equality eludes the grasp of the people at the very moment at which it thinks to hold it fast； and 〃flies；〃 as Pascal says； 〃with eternal flight〃； the people is excited in the pursuit of an advantage； which is more precious because it is not sufficiently remote to be unknown； or sufficiently near to be enjoyed。 The lower orders are agitated by the chance of success； they are irritated by its uncertainty； and they pass from the enthusiasm of pursuit to the exhaustion of ill…success； and lastly to the acrimony of disappointment。 Whatever transcends their own limits appears to be an obstacle to their desires； and there is no kind of superiority； however legitimate it may be； which is not irksome in their sight。
It has been supposed that the secret instinct which leads the lower orders to remove their superiors as much as possible from the direction of public affairs is peculiar to France。 This； however； is an error； the propensity to which I allude is not inherent in any particular nation； but in democratic institutions in general； and although it may have been heightened by peculiar political circumstances； it owes its origin to a higher cause。
In the United States the people is not disposed to hate the superior classes of society； but it is not very favorably inclined towards them； and it carefully excludes them from the exercise of authority。 It does not entertain any dread of distinguished talents； but it is rarely captivated by them； and it awards its approbation very sparingly to such as have risen without the popular support。
Whilst the natural propensities of democracy induce the people to reject the most distinguished citizens as its rulers； these individuals are no less apt to retire from a political career in which it is almost impossible to retain their independence； or to advance without degrading themselves。 This opinion has been very candidly set forth by Chancellor Kent； who says； in speaking with great eulogiums of that part of the Constitution which empowers the Executive to nominate the judges： 〃It is indeed probable that the men who are best fitted to discharge the duties of this high office would have too much reserve in their manners； and too much austerity in their principles； for them to be returned by the majority at an election where universal suffrage is adopted。〃 Such were the opinions which were printed without contradiction in America in the year 1830！
I hold it to be sufficiently demonstrated that universal suffrage is by no means a guarantee of the wisdom of the popular choice； and that； whatever its advantages may be； this is not one of them。
Causes Which May Partly Correct These Tendencies Of The Democracy Contrary effects produced on peoples as well as on individuals by great dangers … Why so many distinguished men stood at the head of affairs in America fifty years ago … Influence which the intelligence and the manners of the people exercise upon its choice … Example of New England … States of the Southwest … Influence of certain laws upon the choice of the people … Election by an elected body … Its effects upon the composition of the Senate。
When a State is threatened by serious dangers； the people frequently succeeds in selecting the citizens who are the most able to save it。 It has been observed that man rarely retains his customary level in presence of very critical circumstances； he rises above or he sinks below his usual condition； and the same thing occurs in nations at large。 Extreme perils sometimes quench the energy of a people instead of stimulating it； they excite without directing its passions； and instead of clearing they confuse its powers of perception。 The Jews deluged the smoking ruins of their temple with the carnage of the remnant of their host。 But it is more common； both in the case of nations and in that of individuals； to find extraordinary virtues arising from the very imminence of the danger。 Great characters are then thrown into relief； as edifices which are concealed by the gloom of night are illuminated by the glare of a conflagration。 At those dangerous times genius no longer abstains from presenting itself in the arena； and the people； alarmed by the perils of its situation； buries its envious passions in a short oblivion。 Great names may then be drawn from the balloting…box。
I have already observed that the American statesmen of the present day are very inferior to those who stood at the head of affairs fifty years ago。 This is as much a consequence of the circumstances as of the laws of the country。 When America was struggling in the high cause of independence to throw off the yoke of another country； and when it was about to usher a new nation into the world； the spirits of its inhabitants were roused to the height which their great efforts required。 In this general excitement the most distinguished men were ready to forestall the wants of the community； and the people clung to them for support； and placed them at its head。 But events of this magnitude are rare； and it is from an inspection of the ordinary course of affairs that our judgment must be formed。
If passing occurrences sometimes act as checks upon the passions of democracy； the intelligence and the manners of the community exercise an influence which is not less powerful and far more permanent。 This is extremely perceptible in the United States。
In New England the education and the liberties of the communities were engendered by the moral and religious principles of their founders。 Where society has acquired a sufficient degree of stability to enable it to hold certain maxims and to retain fixed habits； the lower orders are accustomed to respect intellectual superiority and to submit to it without complaint； although they set at naught all those privileges which wealth and birth have introduced among mankind。 The democracy in New England consequently makes a more judicious choice than it does elsewhere。
But as we descend towards the South； to those States in which the constitution of society is more modern and less strong； where instruction is less general； and where the principles of morality； of religion； and of liberty are less happily combined； we perceive that the talents and the virtues of those who are in authority become more and more rare。
Lastly； when we arrive at the new South…western States； in which the constitution of society dates but from yesterday； and presents an agglomeration of adventurers and speculators； we are amazed at the persons who are invested with public authority； and we are led to ask by what force； independent of the legislation and of the men who direct it； the State can be protected； and society be made to flourish。
There are certain laws of a democratic nature which contribute； nevertheless； to correct； in some measure； the dangerous tendencies of democracy。 On entering the House of Representatives of Washington one is struck by the vulgar demeanor of that great assembly。 The eye frequently does not discover a man of celebrity within its walls。 Its members are almost all obscure individuals whose names pres