democracy in america-1-第123节
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＇Footnote f： This bill was brought in by Mr。 Clay； and it passed in four days through both Houses of Congress by an immense majority。＇
But South Carolina did not consent to leave the Union in the enjoyment of these scanty trophies of success： the same national Convention which had annulled the tariff bill； met again； and accepted the proffered concession； but at the same time it declared it unabated perseverance in the doctrine of Nullification： and to prove what it said； it annulled the law investing the President with extraordinary powers； although it was very certain that the clauses of that law would never be carried into effect。
Almost all the controversies of which I have been speaking have taken place under the Presidency of General Jackson； and it cannot be denied that in the question of the tariff he has supported the claims of the Union with vigor and with skill。 I am； however； of opinion that the conduct of the individual who now represents the Federal Government may be reckoned as one of the dangers which threaten its continuance。
Some persons in Europe have formed an opinion of the possible influence of General Jackson upon the affairs of his country； which appears highly extravagant to those who have seen more of the subject。 We have been told that General Jackson has won sundry battles； that he is an energetic man； prone by nature and by habit to the use of force； covetous of power； and a despot by taste。 All this may perhaps be true； but the inferences which have been drawn from these truths are exceedingly erroneous。 It has been imagined that General Jackson is bent on establishing a dictatorship in America； on introducing a military spirit； and on giving a degree of influence to the central authority which cannot but be dangerous to provincial liberties。 But in America the time for similar undertakings； and the age for men of this kind； is not yet come： if General Jackson had entertained a hope of exercising his authority in this manner； he would infallibly have forfeited his political station； and compromised his life； accordingly he has not been so imprudent as to make any such attempt。
Far from wishing to extend the federal power； the President belongs to the party which is desirous of limiting that power to the bare and precise letter of the Constitution； and which never puts a construction upon that act favorable to the Government of the Union； far from standing forth as the champion of centralization； General Jackson is the agent of all the jealousies of the States； and he was placed in the lofty station he occupies by the passions of the people which are most opposed to the central Government。 It is by perpetually flattering these passions that he maintains his station and his popularity。 General Jackson is the slave of the majority： he yields to its wishes； its propensities； and its demands； say rather； that he anticipates and forestalls them。
Whenever the governments of the States come into collision with that of the Union； the President is generally the first to question his own rights： he almost always outstrips the legislature； and when the extent of the federal power is controverted； he takes part； as it were； against himself； he conceals his official interests； and extinguishes his own natural inclinations。 Not indeed that he is naturally weak or hostile to the Union； for when the majority decided against the claims of the partisans of nullification； he put himself at its head； asserted the doctrines which the nation held distinctly and energetically； and was the first to recommend forcible measures； but General Jackson appears to me； if I may use the American expressions； to be a Federalist by taste； and a Republican by calculation。
General Jackson stoops to gain the favor of the majority； but when he feels that his popularity is secure； he overthrows all obstacles in the pursuit of the objects which the community approves； or of those which it does not look upon with a jealous eye。 He is supported by a power with which his predecessors were unacquainted； and he tramples on his personal enemies whenever they cross his path with a facility which no former President ever enjoyed； he takes upon himself the responsibility of measures which no one before him would have ventured to attempt： he even treats the national representatives with disdain approaching to insult； he puts his veto upon the laws of Congress； and frequently neglects to reply to that powerful body。 He is a favorite who sometimes treats his master roughly。 The power of General Jackson perpetually increases； but that of the President declines； in his hands the Federal Government is strong； but it will pass enfeebled into the hands of his successor。
I am strangely mistaken if the Federal Government of the United States be not constantly losing strength； retiring gradually from public affairs； and narrowing its circle of action more and more。 It is naturally feeble； but it now abandons even its pretensions to strength。 On the other hand； I thought that I remarked a more lively sense of independence； and a more decided attachment to provincial government in the States。 The Union is to subsist； but to subsist as a shadow； it is to be strong in certain cases； and weak in all others； in time of warfare； it is to be able to concentrate all the forces of the nation and all the resources of the country in its hands； and in time of peace its existence is to be scarcely perceptible： as if this alternate debility and vigor were natural or possible。
I do not foresee anything for the present which may be able to check this general impulse of public opinion； the causes in which it originated do not cease to operate with the same effect。 The change will therefore go on； and it may be predicted that； unless some extraordinary event occurs； the Government of the Union will grow weaker and weaker every day。
I think； however； that the period is still remote at which the federal power will be entirely extinguished by its inability to protect itself and to maintain peace in the country。 The Union is sanctioned by the manners and desires of the people； its results are palpable； its benefits visible。 When it is perceived that the weakness of the Federal Government compromises the existence of the Union； I do not doubt that a reaction will take place with a view to increase its strength。
The Government of the United States is； of all the federal governments which have hitherto been established； the one which is most naturally destined to act。 As long as it is only indirectly assailed by the interpretation of its laws； and as long as its substance is not seriously altered； a change of opinion； an internal crisis； or a war； may restore all the vigor which it requires。 The point which I have been most anxious to put in a clear light is simply this： Many people； especially in France； imagine that a change in opinion is going on in the United States； which is favorable to a centralization of power in the hands of the President and the Congress。 I hold that a contrary tendency may distinctly be observed。 So far is the Federal Government from acquiring strength； and from threatening the sovereignty of the States； as it grows older； that I maintain it to be growing weaker and weaker； and that the sovereignty of the Union alone is in danger。 Such are the facts which the present time discloses。 The future conceals the final result of this tendency； and the events which may check； retard； or accelerate the changes I have described； but I do not affect to be able to remove the veil which hides them from our sight。
Of The Republican Institutions Of The United States； And What Their Chances Of Duration Are
The Union is accidental … The Republican institutions have more prospect of permanence … A republic for the present the natural state of the Anglo…Americans … Reason of this … In order to destroy it； all the laws must be changed at the same time； and a great alteration take place in manners …Difficulties experienced by the Americans in creating an aristocracy。
The dismemberment of the Union； by the introduction of war into the heart of those States which are now confederate； with standing armies； a dictatorship； and a heavy taxation； might； eventually； compromise the fate of the republican institutions。 But we ought not to confound the future prospects of the republic with those of the Union。 The Union is an accident； which will only last as long as circumstances are favorable to its existence； but a republican form of government seems to me to be the natural state of the Americans； which nothing but the continued action of hostile causes； always acting in the same direction； could change into a monarchy。 The Union exists principally in the law which formed it； one revolution； one change in public opinion； might destroy it forever； but the republic has a much deeper foundation to rest upon。
What is understood by a republican government in the United States is the slow and quiet action of society upon itself。 It is a regular state of things really founded upon the enlightened will of the people。 It is a conciliatory government under which resolutions are allowed time to ripen； and in which they are deliberately
