ercising a perpetual influence on society。 In the United States the majority governs in the name of the people； as is the case in all the countries in which the people is supreme。 The majority is principally composed of peaceful citizens who； either by inclination or by interest； are sincerely desirous of the welfare of their country。 But they are surrounded by the incessant agitation of parties； which attempt to gain their co…operation and to avail themselves of their support。 Chapter X： Parties In The United States
Chapter Summary
Great distinction to be made between parties … Parties which are to each other as rival nations … Parties properly so called … Difference between great and small parties … Epochs which produce them … Their characteristics … America has had great parties … They are extinct … Federalists … Republicans … Defeat of the Federalists … Difficulty of creating parties in the United States …What is done with this intention … Aristocratic or democratic character to be met with in all parties … Struggle of General Jackson against the Bank。
Parties In The United States
A great distinction must be made between parties。 Some countries are so large that the different populations which inhabit them have contradictory interests； although they are the subjects of the same Government； and they may thence be in a perpetual state of opposition。 In this case the different fractions of the people may more properly be considered as distinct nations than as mere parties； and if a civil war breaks out； the struggle is carried on by rival peoples rather than by factions in the State。
But when the citizens entertain different opinions upon subjects which affect the whole country alike； such； for instance； as the principles upon which the government is to be conducted； then distinctions arise which may correctly be styled parties。 Parties are a necessary evil in free governments； but they have not at all times the same character and the same propensities。
At certain periods a nation may be oppressed by such insupportable evils as to conceive the design of effecting a total change in its political constitution； at other times the mischief lies still deeper； and the existence of society itself is endangered。 Such are the times of great revolutions and of great parties。 But between these epochs of misery and of confusion there are periods during which human society seems to rest； and mankind to make a pause。 This pause is； indeed； only apparent； for time does not stop its course for nations any more than for men； they are all advancing towards a goal with which they are unacquainted； and we only imagine them to be stationary when their progress escapes our observation； as men who are going at a foot…pace seem to be standing still to those who run。
But however this may be； there are certain epochs at which the changes that take place in the social and political constitution of nations are so slow and so insensible that men imagine their present condition to be a final state； and the human mind； believing itself to be firmly based upon certain foundations； does not extend its researches beyond the horizon which it descries。 These are the times of small parties and of intrigue。
The political parties which I style great are those which cling to principles more than to their consequences； to general； and not to especial cases； to ideas； and not to men。 These parties are usually distinguished by a nobler character； by more generous passions； more genuine convictions； and a more bold and open conduct than the others。 In them private interest； which always plays the chief part in political passions； is more studiously veiled under the pretext of the public good； and it may even be sometimes concealed from the eyes of the very persons whom it excites and impels。
Minor parties are； on the other hand； generally deficient in political faith。 As they are not sustained or dignified by a lofty purpose； they ostensibly display the egotism of their character in their actions。 They glow with a factitious zeal； their language is vehement； but their conduct is timid and irresolute。 The means they employ are as wretched as the end at which they aim。 Hence it arises that when a calm state of things succeeds a violent revolution； the leaders of society seem suddenly to disappear； and the powers of the human mind to lie concealed。 Society is convulsed by great parties； by minor ones it is agitated； it is torn by the former； by the latter it is degraded； and if these sometimes save it by a salutary perturbation； those invariably disturb it to no good end。
America has already lost the great parties which once divided the nation； and if her happiness is considerably increased； her morality has suffered by their extinction。 When the War of Independence was terminated； and the foundations of the new Government were to be laid down； the nation was divided between two opinions … two opinions which are as old as the world； and which are perpetually to be met with under all the forms and all the names which have ever obtained in free communities … the one tending to limit； the other to extend indefinitely； the power of the people。 The conflict of these two opinions never assumed that degree of violence in America which it has frequently displayed elsewhere。 Both parties of the Americans were； in fact； agreed upon the most essential points； and neither of them had to destroy a traditionary constitution； or to overthrow the structure of society； in order to ensure its own triumph。 In neither of them； consequently； were a great number of private interests affected by success or by defeat； but moral principles of a high order； such as the love of equality and of independence； were concerned in the struggle； and they sufficed to kindle violent passions。
The party which desired to limit the power of the people endeavored to apply its doctrines more especially to the Constitution of the Union； whence it derived its name of Federal。 The other party； which affected to be more exclusively attached to the cause of liberty； took that of Republican。 America is a land of democracy； and the Federalists were always in a minority； but they reckoned on their side almost all the great men who had been called forth by the War of Independence； and their moral influence was very considerable。 Their cause was； moreover； favored by circumstances。 The ruin of the Confederation had impressed the people with a dread of anarchy； and the Federalists did not fail to profit by this transient disposition of the multitude。 For ten or twelve years they were at the head of affairs； and they were able to apply some； though not all； of their principles； for the hostile current was becoming from day to day too violent to be checked or stemmed。 In 1801 the Republicans got possession of the Government； Thomas Jefferson was named President； and he increased the influence of their party by the weight of his celebrity； the greatness of his talents； and the immense extent of his popularity。
The means by which the Federalists had maintained their position were artificial； and their resources were temporary； it was by the virtues or the talents of their leaders that they had risen to power。 When the Republicans attained to that lofty station； their opponents were overwhelmed by utter defeat。 An immense majority declared itself against the retiring party； and the Federalists found themselves in so small a minority that they at once despaired of their future success。 From that moment the Republican or Democratic party *a has proceeded from conquest to conquest； until it has acquired absolute supremacy in the country。 The Federalists； perceiving that they were vanquished without resource； and isolated in the midst of the nation； fell into two divisions； of which one joined the victorious Republicans； and the other abandoned its rallying…point and its name。 Many years have already elapsed since they ceased to exist as a party。
＇Footnote a： ＇It is scarcely necessary to remark that in more recent times the signification of these terms has changed。 The Republicans are the representatives of the old Federalists； and the Democrats of the old Republicans。 … Trans。 Note （1861）。＇＇ The accession of the Federalists to power was； in my opinion； one of the most fortunate incidents which accompanied the formation of the great American Union； they resisted the inevitable propensities of their age and of the country。 But whether their theories were good or bad； they had the effect of being inapplicable； as a system； to the society which they professed to govern； and that which occurred under the auspices of Jefferson must therefore have taken place sooner or later。 But their Government gave the new republic time to acquire a certain stability； and afterwards to support the rapid growth of the very doctrines which they had combated。 A considerable number of their principles were in point of fact embodied in the political creed of their opponents； and the Federal Constitution which subsists at the present day is a lasting monument of their patriotism and their wisdom。
Great political parties are not； then； to be met with in the United States at the present time。