Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The
United States
In America the people appoints the legislative and the
executive power, and furnishes the jurors who punish all offences
against the laws. The American institutions are democratic, not
only in their principle but in all their consequences; and the
people elects its representatives directly, and for the most part
annually, in order to ensure their dependence. The people is
therefore the real directing power; and although the form of
government is representative, it is evident that the opinions,
the prejudices, the interests, and even the passions of the
community are hindered by no durable obstacles from exercising 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.
