Full Idea
Nothing is more opposed to the well-being and the freedom of men than vast empires. …But there is a love of glory in those who regard the applause of a great people as a worthy reward.
Gist of Idea
Vast empires are bad for well-being and freedom, though they may promote glory
Source
Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America (abr Renshaw) [1840], 1.07)
A Reaction
Presumably the main the problem is the central dominance over distant colonies. There may also be some freedom in being distant from the centres, especially in 1830. The Wild West.
Book Reference
Tocqueville,Alexis de: 'Democracy in America (abridged)', ed/tr. Renshaw,Patrick [Wordsworth 1998], p.69