The Polynesian., 1840-08-01
Vol. l.-NO. 8.

affections, without arousing the ambitious
passions OF the heart of man. The Off
GERS of the county are not elected, and
their authority is very limited. Even the
State is only a second-rate community,
whose tranquil and obscure administra-
Mon offers no induccment sufficient to
draw men away from the circle of their
interests into the turmoil of public affairs.
The federal government confers power
and honor on the men who conduct it;
but these individuals can never be very
numerous. The high station of the Pre-
sldency can only be reached at an advance
ed period of lile and the other federal
functionaries are generally men who have
been favored by fortune, or DISTINGUISHED
in some other career. Such cannot be
the permanent aim of the ambitious But
the township serves as q center for the
desire of public esteem, the want of ex-
citing interests, and the taste for authority
and popularity, in the midst of the or
binary relations of life; ard the passions
which commonly cmbrCJ society. change
their character when thew find vent SO
near the domestic hearth and the family
circle.
The American attaches himself to his
home, as the mountaineer clinos to his
hills, because the characteristic features
of his country are there more distinctly
marked than elsewhere. The existence
of the townships of New England is in {
general happy one. Their government !
is suited to their tastes, and chosen by
themselves. I'm the midst of the profound
peace and general comfort which reign
IN America, the connections of municipal
dlscord are unlrequent. The conduct of
local business is easy. The political ed
ucation of the people has long been COM
plete say rather that it was complete
when the people first set foot UPON the
soil. In New England no tradition exists
Of distinction Of ranks: no portion of
the community is tempted to Cypress the
remainder; and the abuses which NAV
inlurc isolated individuals are forgotten in
the general contcnt,nent which prevails.
Il the government - defective, (and it
would no doubt be easy to point out its de-
ficlcncles,) the fact that it really emanates
from those it governs, and that it acts.
either i'll or well casts the protecting spell
of parental pride over its faults. No
term of comparison dsturbs the satisfac-
ton of the citizen. England formerly
governed the mass of the colonies. but
the people was always sovereign in the
township, where its rule is not only an
ancient, but primitive state.
The native of New England is attached
to his township because it is independent
and free: his cooperation in its affairs
ensures his attachment to its interest the
well-being it affords him secures his afec-
ton; and its welfare is the aim of his am.
bition and of his future exertions: he
takes part in every occurrence in the
place; he practises the art of government
in the small sphere within his reach; he
accustoms himself to those forms which
can alone ensure the steady progress Of
liberty; he imbibes their spirit; he ac-
quires taste for order, comprehends the
union or the balance of powers, and COL
Iects clear practical notions on the nature
of his duties and the extent of his rights.
De Tocqucville.