FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: DeTocqueville on the Faith of Americans
(QUICK READ) — Alexis DeTocqueville, the French historian and diplomat, was not among the men in the generation of our founders, but he was among the most perceptive observers ever of their work.
Alexis DeTocqueville, author of “Democracy in America.”
He toured America in the early years of the 19th century and wrote the classic “Democracy in America,” in which he made it quite clear in his affirmation of the centrality of Christian faith to the early and long-run success of our republican institutions, our freedoms and our security.
The following quote is cited by Mark Strand as one among the many from DeTocqueville that reiterates these thoughts as only an independent outside observer can do. If you work on a congressional staff and have never had the pleasure of reading his book, HillFaith encourages you to do so. Among much else, it will deepen your understanding of the vital importance of your work:
“I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion, for who can read the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society.” – Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835. Cited by Mark Strand.
Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States of America.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).