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CHAPTER III.
THAT THE SENTIMENTS OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS ACCORD WITH THEIR
OPINIONS IN LEADING THEM TO CONCENTRATE POLITICAL POWER.
If it be true that, in ages of equality, men readily adopt the
notion of a great central power, it cannot be doubted on the other
hand that their habits and sentiments predispose them to recognise
such a power and to give it their support.[1] This may be
demonstrated in a few words, as the greater part of the reasons, to
which the fact may be attributed, have been previously stated.
As the men who inhabit democratic countries have no superiors, no inferiors, and no habitual or necessary partners in their undertakings, they readily fall back upon themselves and consider themselves as beings apart. I had occasion to point this out at considerable length in treating of individualism. Hence such men can never, without an effort, tear themselves from their private affairs to engage in public business; their natural bias leads them to abandon the latter to the sole visible and permanent representative of the interests of the community, that is to say, to the State. Not only are they naturally wanting in a taste for public business, but they have frequently no time to attend to it. Private life is so busy in democratic periods, so excited, so full of wishes and of work, that hardly any energy or leisure remains to each individual
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Men connect the greatness of their idea of unity with means, God
with ends; hence this idea of greatness, as men conceive it, leads us into
infinite littlenesses. To compel all men to follow the same course toward
the same object is a human notion;—to introduce infinite variety of action,
but so combined that all these acts lead by a multitude of different courses
to the accomplishment of one great design, is a conception of the Deity.
The human idea of unity is almost always barren; the divine idea pregnant with abundant results. Men think they manifest their greatness by simplifying the means they use; but it is the purpose of God which is simple—his means are infinitely varied.
