On the record
And the blame thus cast on the American Constitution is so much praise to be given to the American political character.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “And the blame thus cast on the American Constitution is so much praise to be given to the American political character.”
Editor's note · Context
Bagehot suggests that criticisms of the American Constitution reflect positively on the political character of its people.
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More from Walter Bagehot
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
But it is natural also that persons used to analyse political institutions should look at these anomalies with a little tenderness and a little interest.
These anomalies, in a hundred instances, mark the old boundaries of a constitutional struggle.
Just so the lines of our Constitution were framed in old eras of sparse population, few wants, and simple habits; and we adhere in seeming to their shape, though civilisation has come with its dangers, complications, and enjoyments.
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