Municipal independence is therefore a natural consequence of the principle of the sovereignty of the people in the United States: all the American republics recognize it more or less; but circumstances have peculiarly favored its growth in New England.
In this part of the Union the impulsion of political activity was given in the townships; and it may almost be said that each of them originally formed an independent nation.

When the Kings of England asserted their supremacy, they were contented to assume the central power of the State.
The townships of New England remained as they were before; and although they are now subject to the State, they were at first scarcely dependent upon it.

It is important to remember that they have not been invested with privileges, but that they have, on the contrary, forfeited a portion of their independence to the State.

The townships are only subordinate to the State in those interests which I shall term social, as they are common to all the citizens.

They are independent in all that concerns themselves; and amongst the inhabitants of New England I believe that not a man is to be found who would acknowledge that the State has any right to interfere in their local interests.