The Americans conceive of the executive as one of their appointed agents; when it intervenes in common life, it does so, they consider, in virtue of the mandate of the sovereign people, and there is no invasion or dereliction of freedom in that people interfering with itself.
This passage contrasts American and English views on the role of the executive in governance.
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More from Walter Bagehot
Savages waste away before modern civilisation; they seem to have held their ground before the ancient.
All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.
But the Jewish advantage never did so; beginning in religion, contrary to a thousand analogies, it remained religious.
The moderate people of every party must combine to support the Government which, on the whole, suits every party best.
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