The township of New England possesses two advantages which infallibly secure the attentive interest of mankind, namely, independence and authority.

Its sphere is indeed small and limited, but within that sphere its action is unrestrained; and its independence gives to it a real importance which its extent and population may not always ensure.
It is to be remembered that the affections of men generally lie on the side of authority.

Patriotism is not durable in a conquered nation.

The New Englander is attached to his township, not only because he was born in it, but because it constitutes a social body of which he is a member, and whose government claims and deserves the exercise of his sagacity.
In Europe the absence of local public spirit is a frequent subject of regret to those who are in power; everyone agrees that there is no surer guarantee of order and tranquility, and yet nothing is more difficult to create.

If the municipal bodies were made powerful and independent, the authorities of the nation might be disunited and the peace of the country endangered.