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reme； and in a political meeting they did not scruple to compare him indirectly to the treacherous Arnold。 〃By the opposition；〃 says Marshall； 〃the friends of the administration were declared to be an aristocratic and corrupt faction； who； from a desire to introduce monarchy； were hostile to France and under the influence of Britain； that they were a paper nobility； whose extreme sensibility at every measure which threatened the funds； induced a tame submission to injuries and insults； which the interests and honor of the nation required them to resist。〃＇
Almost all the nations which have ever exercised a powerful influence upon the destinies of the world by conceiving； following up； and executing vast designs … from the Romans to the English … have been governed by aristocratic institutions。 Nor will this be a subject of wonder when we recollect that nothing in the world has so absolute a fixity of purpose as an aristocracy。 The mass of the people may be led astray by ignorance or passion； the mind of a king may be biased； and his perseverance in his designs may be shaken … besides which a king is not immortal … but an aristocratic body is too numerous to be led astray by the blandishments of intrigue； and yet not numerous enough to yield readily to the intoxicating influence of unreflecting passion： it has the energy of a firm and enlightened individual； added to the power which it derives from perpetuity。
Chapter XIV： Advantages American Society Derive From Democracy … Part I
What The Real Advantages Are Which American Society Derives From The Government Of The Democracy
Before I enter upon the subject of the present chapter I am induced to remind the reader of what I have more than once adverted to in the course of this book。 The political institutions of the United States appear to me to be one of the forms of government which a democracy may adopt； but I do not regard the American Constitution as the best； or as the only one； which a democratic people may establish。 In showing the advantages which the Americans derive from the government of democracy； I am therefore very far from meaning； or from believing； that similar advantages can only be obtained from the same laws。
General Tendency Of The Laws Under The Rule Of The American Democracy； And Habits Of Those Who Apply Them
Defects of a democratic government easy to be discovered … Its advantages only to be discerned by long observation … Democracy in America often inexpert； but the general tendency of the laws advantageous … In the American democracy public officers have no permanent interests distinct from those of the majority … Result of this state of things。
The defects and the weaknesses of a democratic government may very readily be discovered； they are demonstrated by the most flagrant instances； whilst its beneficial influence is less perceptibly exercised。 A single glance suffices to detect its evil consequences； but its good qualities can only be discerned by long observation。 The laws of the American democracy are frequently defective or incomplete； they sometimes attack vested rights； or give a sanction to others which are dangerous to the community； but even if they were good； the frequent changes which they undergo would be an evil。 How comes it； then； that the American republics prosper and maintain their position？
In the consideration of laws a distinction must be carefully observed between the end at which they aim and the means by which they are directed to that end； between their absolute and their relative excellence。 If it be the intention of the legislator to favor the interests of the minority at the expense of the majority； and if the measures he takes are so combined as to accomplish the object he has in view with the least possible expense of time and exertion； the law may be well drawn up； although its purpose be bad； and the more efficacious it is； the greater is the mischief which it causes。
Democratic laws generally tend to promote the welfare of the greatest possible number； for they emanate from the majority of the citizens； who are subject to error； but who cannot have an interest opposed to their own advantage。 The laws of an aristocracy tend； on the contrary； to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of the minority； because an aristocracy； by its very nature； constitutes a minority。 It may therefore be asserted； as a general proposition； that the purpose of a democracy in the conduct of its legislation is useful to a greater number of citizens than that of an aristocracy。 This is； however； the sum total of its advantages。
Aristocracies are infinitely more expert in the science of legislation than democracies ever can be。 They are possessed of a self…control which protects them from the errors of temporary excitement； and they form lasting designs which they mature with the assistance of favorable opportunities。 Aristocratic government proceeds with the dexterity of art； it understands how to make the collective force of all its laws converge at the same time to a given point。 Such is not the case with democracies； whose laws are almost always ineffective or inopportune。 The means of democracy are therefore more imperfect than those of aristocracy； and the measures which it unwittingly adopts are frequently opposed to its own cause； but the object it has in view is more useful。
Let us now imagine a community so organized by nature； or by its constitution； that it can support the transitory action of bad laws； and that it can await； without destruction； the general tendency of the legislation： we shall then be able to conceive that a democratic government； notwithstanding its defects； will be most fitted to conduce to the prosperity of this community。 This is precisely what has occurred in the United States； and I repeat； what I have before remarked； that the great advantage of the Americans consists in their being able to commit faults which they may afterward repair。
An analogous observation may be made respecting public officers。 It is easy to perceive that the American democracy frequently errs in the choice of the individuals to whom it entrusts the power of the administration； but it is more difficult to say why the State prospers under their rule。 In the first place it is to be remarked； that if in a democratic State the governors have less honesty and less capacity than elsewhere； the governed； on the other hand； are more enlightened and more attentive to their interests。 As the people in democracies is more incessantly vigilant in its affairs and more jealous of its rights； it prevents its representatives from abandoning that general line of conduct which its own interest prescribes。 In the second place； it must be remembered that if the democratic magistrate is more apt to misuse his power； he possesses it for a shorter period of time。 But there is yet another reason which is still more general and conclusive。 It is no doubt of importance to the welfare of nations that they should be governed by men of talents and virtue； but it is perhaps still more important that the interests of those men should not differ from the interests of the community at large； for； if such