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University of Virginia Library

democracy in America

Special Introduction By Hon. John T. Morgan

Special Introduction By Hon. John J. Ingalls

Introductory Chapter

1.

Chapter I: Exterior Form Of North America

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2.

Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans, And Its Importance In Relation To Their Future Condition

Reasons Of Certain Anomalies Which The Laws And Customs Of The Anglo-Americans Present

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3.

Chapter III: Social Conditions Of The Anglo-Americans

The Striking Characteristic Of The Social Condition Of The Anglo-Americans In Its Essential Democracy

Political Consequences Of The Social Condition Of The Anglo-Americans

4.

Chapter IV: The Principle Of The Sovereignty Of The People In America

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5.

Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States Before That Of The Union At Large

The American System Of Townships And Municipal Bodies

Limits Of The Township

Authorities Of The Township In New England

Existence Of The Township

Public Spirit Of The Townships Of New England

The Counties Of New England

Administration In New England

General Remarks On The Administration Of The United States

Legislative Power Of The State

The Executive Power Of The State

Political Effects Of The System Of Local Administration In The United States

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6.

Chapter VI: Judicial Power In The United States And Its Influence On Political Society

Other Powers Granted To American Judges

7.

Chapter VII: Political Jurisdiction In The United States

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8.

Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution

History Of The Federal Constitution

Summary Of The Federal Constitution

Prerogative Of The Federal Government

Legislative Powers

A Further Difference Between The Senate And The House Of Representatives

The Executive Power

Differences Between The Position Of The President Of The United States And That Of A Constitutional King Of France

Accidental Causes Which May Increase The Influence Of The Executive Government

Why The President Of The United States Does Not Require The Majority Of The Two Houses In Order To Carry On The Government

Election Of The President

Mode Of Election

Crises Of The Election

Re-election Of The President

Means Of Determining The Jurisdiction Of The Federal Courts

Different Cases Of Jurisdiction

Procedure Of The Federal Courts

High Rank Of The Supreme Court Amongst The Great Powers Of State

In What Respects The Federal Constitution Is Superior To That Of The States

Characteristics Which Distinguish The Federal Constitution Of The United States Of America From All Other Federal Constitutions

Advantages Of The Federal System In General, And Its Special Utility In America

Why The Federal System Is Not Adapted To All Peoples, And How The Anglo-Americans Were Enabled To Adopt It

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9.

Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United States

Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United States

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10.

Chapter X: Parties In The United States

Remains Of The Aristocratic Party In The United States

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11.

Chapter XI: Liberty Of The Press In The United States

The opinions established in the United States under the empire of the liberty of the press are frequently more firmly rooted than those which are formed elsewhere under the sanction of a censor.

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12.

Chapter XII: Political Associations In The United States

Different ways in which the right of association is understood in Europeand in the United States -Different use which is made of it.

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13.

Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America

Universal Suffrage

Choice Of The People, And Instinctive Preferences Of The American Democracy

Causes Which May Partly Correct These Tendencies Of The Democracy

Influence Which The American Democracy Has Exercised On The Laws Relating To Elections

Public Officers Under The Control Of The Democracy In America

Arbitrary Power Of Magistrates Under The Rule Of The American Democracy

Instability Of The Administration In The United States

Charges Levied By The State Under The Rule Of The American Democracy

Tendencies Of The American Democracy As Regards The Salaries Of Public Officers

Difficulty of Distinguishing The Causes Which Contribute To The Economy Of The American Government

Whether The Expenditure Of The United States Can Be Compared To That Of France

Corruption And Vices Of The Rulers In A Democracy, And Consequent Effects Upon Public Morality

Efforts Of Which A Democracy Is Capable

Self-Control Of The American Democracy

Conduct Of Foreign Affairs By The American Democracy

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14.

Chapter XIV: What The Real Advantages Are Which American Society Derives From The Government Of The Democracy

General Tendency Of The Laws Under The Rule Of The American Democracy, And Habits Of Those Who Apply Them

Public Spirit In The United States

Notion Of Rights In The United States

Respect For The Law In The United States

Activity Which Pervades All The Branches Of The Body Politic In The United States; Influence Which It Exercises Upon Society

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15.

Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences

How The Unlimited Power Of The Majority Increases In America The Instability Of Legislation And Administration Inherent In Democracy

Tyranny Of The Majority

Effects Of The Unlimited Power Of The Majority Upon The Arbitrary Authority Of The American Public Officers

Power Exercised By The Majority In America Upon Opinion

Effects Of The Tyranny Of The Majority Upon The National Character Of The Americans

The Greatest Dangers Of The American Republics Proceed From The Unlimited Power Of The Majority

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16.

Chapter XVI: Causes Which Mitigate The Tyranny Of The Majority In The United States

Absence of Central Administration

The Profession Of The Law In The United States Serves To Counterpoise The Democracy

Trial By Jury In The United States Considered As A Political Institution

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17.

Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Which Tend To Maintain The Democratic Republic In The United States

Accidental Or Providential Causes Which Contribute To The Maintenance Of The Democratic Republic In The United States

Influence Of The Laws Upon The Maintenance Of The Democratic Republic In The United States

Influence Of Manners Upon The Maintenance Of The Democratic Republic In The United States

Religion Considered As A Political Institution, Which Powerfully Contributes To The Maintenance Of The Democratic Republic Amongst The Americans

Indirect Influence Of Religious Opinions Upon Political Society In The United States

Principal Causes Which Render Religion Powerful In America

How The Instruction, The Habits, And The Practical Experience Of The Americans Promote The Success Of Their Democratic Institutions

The Laws Contribute More To The Maintenance Of The Democratic Republic In The United States Than The Physical Circumstances Of The Country, And The Manners More Than The Laws

Whether Laws And Manners Are Sufficient To Maintain Democratic Institutions In Other Countries Besides America

Importance Of What Precedes With Respect To The State Of Europe

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18.

Chapter XVIII: The Present And Probable Future Condition Of The Three Races Which Inhabit The Territory Of The United States

The Present And Probable Future Condition Of The Indian Tribes Which Inhabit The Territory Possessed By The Union

Situation Of The Black Population In The United States, And Dangers With Which Its Presence Threatens The Whites

What Are The Chances In Favor Of The Duration Of The American Union, And What Dangers Threaten It

Of The Republican Institutions Of The United States, And What Their Chances Of Duration Are

Reflection On The Causes Of The Commercial Prosperity Of The United States

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A Social condition is commonly the result of circumstances, sometimes of laws, oftener still of these two causes united; but wherever it exists, it may justly be considered as the source of almost all the laws, the usages, and the ideas which regulate the conduct of nations; whatever it does not produce it modifies. It is therefore necessary, if we would become acquainted with the legislation and the manners of a nation, to begin by the study of its social condition.