democracy in america-1-第69节
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o governments carried on upon different principles。 Experience； instruction； and habit may almost always succeed in creating a species of practical discretion in democracies； and that science of the daily occurrences of life which is called good sense。 Good sense may suffice to direct the ordinary course of society； and amongst a people whose education has been provided for； the advantages of democratic liberty in the internal affairs of the country may more than compensate for the evils inherent in a democratic government。 But such is not always the case in the mutual relations of foreign nations。
Foreign politics demand scarcely any of those qualities which a democracy possesses； and they require； on the contrary； the perfect use of almost all those faculties in which it is deficient。 Democracy is favorable to the increase of the internal resources of the State； it tends to diffuse a moderate independence； it promotes the growth of public spirit； and fortifies the respect which is entertained for law in all classes of society； and these are advantages which only exercise an indirect influence over the relations which one people bears to another。 But a democracy is unable to regulate the details of an important undertaking； to persevere in a design； and to work out its execution in the presence of serious obstacles。 It cannot combine its measures with secrecy； and it will not await their consequences with patience。 These are qualities which more especially belong to an individual or to an aristocracy； and they are precisely the means by which an individual people attains to a predominant position。
If； on the contrary； we observe the natural defects of aristocracy； we shall find that their influence is comparatively innoxious in the direction of the external affairs of a State。 The capital fault of which aristocratic bodies may be accused is that they are more apt to contrive their own advantage than that of the mass of the people。 In foreign politics it is rare for the interest of the aristocracy to be in any way distinct from that of the people。
The propensity which democracies have to obey the impulse of passion rather than the suggestions of prudence； and to abandon a mature design for the gratification of a momentary caprice； was very clearly seen in America on the breaking out of the French Revolution。 It was then as evident to the simplest capacity as it is at the present time that the interest of the Americans forbade them to take any part in the contest which was about to deluge Europe with blood； but which could by no means injure the welfare of their own country。 Nevertheless the sympathies of the people declared themselves with so much violence in behalf of France that nothing but the inflexible character of Washington； and the immense popularity which he enjoyed； could have prevented the Americans from declaring war against England。 And even then； the exertions which the austere reason of that great man made to repress the generous but imprudent passions of his fellow…citizens； very nearly deprived him of the sole recompense which he had ever claimed … that of his country's love。 The majority then reprobated the line of policy which he adopted； and which has since been unanimously approved by the nation。 *s If the Constitution and the favor of the public had not entrusted the direction of the foreign affairs of the country to Washington； it is certain that the American nation would at that time have taken the very measures which it now condemns。
＇Footnote s： See the fifth volume of Marshall's 〃Life of Washington。〃 In a government constituted like that of the United States；〃 he says； 〃it is impossible for the chief magistrate； however firm he may be； to oppose for any length of time the torrent of popular opinion； and the prevalent opinion of that day seemed to incline to war。 In fact； in the session of Congress held at the time； it was frequently seen that Washington had lost the majority in the House of Representatives。〃 The violence of the language used against him in public was extreme； 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
