The Federalist No. 10
359
fluence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors
ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.
The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and
we see them every where brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society. A zeal for different
opinions concerning religion, concerning Government and many other
points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different
leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the
human passions, have in turn divided mankind into parties, inflamed
them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to
vex and oppress each other, than to co-operate for their common good.
So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities,
that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and
fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions, and excite their most violent conflicts. But the most common and
durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution
of property. Those who hold, and those who are without property, have
ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who are creditors, and
those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed interest,
a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a monied interest, with
many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and
views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the
principal task of modern Legislation, and involves the spirit of party and
faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of Government.
No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest
would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be
both judges and parties at the same time; yet, what are many of the most
important acts of legislation but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of
large bodies of citizens; and what are the different classes of legislators
but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine? Is a law
proposed concerning private debts? It is a question to which the creditors