The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-24
DEMOCRACY IN AMERTCA-SE-
a. CONO p ART

Is Y lie CcQ u EVIL I E.
This work, which has Just been published
ully sustans the reputation of the author, AM
proves that he has thought deeply upon our con
dition and government Some Of mis- remarks
are SO very appropriate, and so fully verified
BY the controversy, in which we find ourselves
engaged, that we quote them by way Of Illus
tration. Loving liberty for the sake of liberty,
and resisting oppression, in whatever shape it
may assume, it has been our 10: TO experience
the truth, which he asserts in the following:
"The fact that the political laws Of the Anne
ricans are such, that the majority rules the com
munity with sovereign sway, materially increas-
es the power, which that authority naturally
exercices over the mind
Again
90 Thus, intellectual authority will De differ.
ent, butit will not be diminished, and far from
thinking that it would disappear, | duS.tr that
IL may readily acquire TOO much prep0adeT-
aacc and copfae the action Of pirate judy
aeat arithil narro,ceT limits than are suited
either 10 the greatness or to the happiness Of
the human race. In the principle Of equality,
very clearly discover two tendencies: the one
leading the mind of every man to untried
thoughts, the other inclined to prohibit him from
laws, democracy ioo,ad ertinguish that liberty
othe mind to tehieh democratic social con-
dition isf0cordLte; SO that after having broken
all the bondage once imposed upon it by ranks
or by mm, the human mind teoGld be closely
tetteredto the general scW f'the greater au1n-
ber"
We hive said that these remarks of this en-
iShtents philosopher are applicable to the matter
IN hatx a. 4
ourselves. Look at the case This Committee
were composed of respectable individuals, epre-
senting party who were contehding for free
dom Of opinion, and freedom of political action,
Of support, to establish this paper, with a dis
tinct understanding between them that it was to
be an Independent and free press; and yet, under
the vague apprehension that the party might be
injured iy the expression OF opinions, Tor which
they wen not responsible, they deemed 1T expe-
dent TO denounce the paper, which they were
pledged 20 support, although it is believed that
they Individually concur in the opinions de-
nounced, Could there be stronger illustration
Of De Iocqueville's proposition that ''the ma
jority may readily acquire too much preponser-
ance, and confne the action OF private Judg-
ments within narrower limits than are suited
either to the greatness or the happiness of the
human race"
But il these remarks were applicable to our
selves alone, we would quietly submit to the
injustice, which has been done US, as has been
our wont to do 1t will be remembered that the
offence, which provoked the eensare OF the
Committee, was proposition to discuss mere
after the question raised by Bishop Engiands
interference in the political questions OF the
day. De Tocqueville is, we beheVe' latino.
lie. He is a philosopher, and his work VIA
become the standard by which Europeans most
favorable to public liberty, will form their OPP
Mons of our institutions. Now hear what ne
says upon the progress Of the Catholic reiigion
in this country: A
In his 9Th Oh. he treats of the manner in winch
religion in the United States avails itself o. oe-
mocratic tendencies, and says;