John McDowell

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers — and it was not there. . . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests — and it was not there. . . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce — and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there.  Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.  America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.

Rev. John McDowell, from a sermon quoted in a 1922 letter to the Herald and Presbyter (vol. 93, no. 36, p. 8). McDowell misattributed it to Alexis de Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, and it has widely been mis-cited since.