In 1831, a French sociologist and political theorist named Alexis de Tocqueville crossed the ocean to the United States in order to study its penitentiary system. When his visit was over, however, he had amassed an abundance of far broader observations about America.
Four years later in 1835, these were codified and published in a book titled Democracy in America, which was destined to become one of the most influential books of the nineteenth century.
According to the History Channel web site:
“With its trenchant observations on equality and individualism, Tocqueville’s work remains a valuable explanation of America to Europeans and of Americans to themselves… As ‘Democracy in America’ revealed … Tocqueville was impressed by much of what he saw in American life, admiring the stability of its economy and wondering at the popularity of its churches...”
Little wonder then that, nearly one hundred and twenty years later, in a speech given in Boston, Massachusetts on November 3, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower famously quoted a short passage he ascribed via another author to this very book.
As this nation that I love prepares to celebrate her glorious independence, I thought it fitting to post that particular quotation here for your consideration.
"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests - and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning - and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"
SOURCES:
De Tocqueville Facts: http://www.history.com/topics/alexis-de-tocqueville.
Eisenhower Quote: http://www.bartleby.com/73/829.html.
Four years later in 1835, these were codified and published in a book titled Democracy in America, which was destined to become one of the most influential books of the nineteenth century.
According to the History Channel web site:
“With its trenchant observations on equality and individualism, Tocqueville’s work remains a valuable explanation of America to Europeans and of Americans to themselves… As ‘Democracy in America’ revealed … Tocqueville was impressed by much of what he saw in American life, admiring the stability of its economy and wondering at the popularity of its churches...”
Little wonder then that, nearly one hundred and twenty years later, in a speech given in Boston, Massachusetts on November 3, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower famously quoted a short passage he ascribed via another author to this very book.
As this nation that I love prepares to celebrate her glorious independence, I thought it fitting to post that particular quotation here for your consideration.
"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests - and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning - and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"
SOURCES:
De Tocqueville Facts: http://www.history.com/topics/alexis-de-tocqueville.
Eisenhower Quote: http://www.bartleby.com/73/829.html.