The young citizen's manual

Front matter

YOUNG CITIZEN 3 MANUAL.

A TEXT-BOOK OX GOVERNMENT,

It. v. JOSEPH v.LL.D.,

Contents

Chapteb Yaok

I. Origin of Civil Society and Government 7

II. Monarchy. — Aristocracy. — Republic. — Liberty

Chapter I. Origin Of Civil Society And Government

1. Why do men live together in society? Because God made them to live together in society.

God has given to men a social nature, which renders society necessary to their happiness and improvement.

3. If a man is willing to forego the advantages of society ', may he not cease to be a member of it ?

He has no right to forego the advantages of society.

God designed that he should live in society and enjoy its benefits, and he has no right to act contrary to that design.

5. What is necessary in order that men may live together in peace in society ?

There must be good laws obeyed and enforced.

6. Why are laws necessary ?

They are necessary to restrain men from interfering with one another's rights.

7. Sow does this appear ?

Experience has shown that some men are disposed to act unjustly, and hence need to be restrained by law.

8. Who makes and executes the laws ?

The government.

9. Who make the government ?

The people.

10. May the people make just such a government as they choose?

They may, provided it is adapted to secure justice and the public prosperity.

1 1 . What power does the government possess f The power conferred upon it by the people.

12. Can the people authorize the government to act unjustly f

They cannot. Justice is the fundamental law which both the people and the government are under obligation to obey.

13. What is the instrument by which the people determine the form and define the powers of government ?

The Constitution.

14. Who make the laws ?

The legislature.

15. What is the legislature?

A body of men chosen by the people to make laws.

OR TEXT-BOOK ON GOVERNMENT.

16. What is the difference beticeen the Constitution and the laws made by the legislature 9

The Constitution is the higher law, to which all the laws enacted by the legislature must be conformed.

17. Is there any higher law than t/ie Constitution? The Constitution is the highest human law; but

the law of God is the highest of all laws.

18. May not the people who make the Constitution disobey it if they please f

The people, as well as the government, are under obligation to obey the Constitution.

19. May the people change the Constitution f They may change it in the way pointed out by

the Constitution.

20. How does it appear that it is Qod^s will that the people should have government f

It appears from the fact that government is necessary to the existence of society and the well-being of men, and from the Bible.

21. What does the Bible say on the subject ?

" The powers that be are ordained of God;" which is the same as saying, " Government is ordained of God."

22. What does the Bible say respecting magistrates ?

It commands us " to obey magistrates."

23. Suppose their commands come in conflict with the law of God?

Then "we ought to obey God rather than men." — Acts 5 : 29.

24. Is it ever right to resist the government ? It is sometimes right to resort to revolution.

25. What is meant by the right of revolution? The right to overthrow the government by force,

and establish another in its place.

26. When may the right of revolution be resorted to ? When the oppression is very great, and the prospect of success good.

Chapter II

MONARCHY. ARISTOCRACY. REPUBLIC. LIBERTY

AND LAW.

1. Who determine the form of the government? The people.

2. What are the three forms of government? Monarchy, aristocracy, and republic.

3. What is a monarchy?

A monarchy is a government by a single person.*

4. What is an absolute monarchy ?

One in which all the powers of the government are possessed by the monarch.

5. What is a limited monarchy?

One in which the power of the monarch is limited by the Constitution and laws.

* " The titles of the different monarchs of Europe are, Emperor, Czar, or Sultan, the ruler of an empire ; King or Queen, of a kingdom ; Prince, of a principality ; Grand Duke, of a grand duchy ; Duke, of a duchy ; and Pope, of the popedom." — Worcester.

6. What is an hereditary monarchy?

One in which the oldest surviving son or nearest heir succeeds to the crown on the death of the monarch.

7. What is an elective monarchy?

One in which the monarch is elected by the people, or by some portion of them.

8. What is an aristocracy?

Aristocracy "is a form of government which places the supreme power in the nobles, or the principal persons of the state."

9. What may be said of this form of government ? It is the worst form.

10. What is a republic ?

A republic is that form of government in which the power of the state is exercised by agents chosen by the people.

11. What is a democracy?

Democracy is a government by the people.

12. What is a pure democracy?

One in which the power of the state is exercised directly by the people.

13. What is a representative democracy?

A representative democracy does not differ from a republic.

14. Are the three forms of government — monarchy, aristocracy, and republic — always kept

They are not. The three forms are blended in the English government.

15. What is the best form of government?

That which is the best adapted to promote justice and the public prosperity.

16. What should determine the form of a nation! $ government ?

The character and circumstances of the people.

17. For what nations is a republic the best form ? Those in which the people are intelligent and moral.

18. Why are representatives chosen ?

Because all the people of a nation cannot meet together, and make laws.

19. For what other reason ?

Because men selected on account of their wisdom are best qualified to make laws.

20. To whom are the representatives responsible ? To the people and to God.

21. Do wise and just laws interfere with liberty? They do not. Civil liberty is the result of law.

22. What can men reasonably claim ?

liberty to do right, and protection against wrong.

23. Do laws which restrain a man from doing wrong infringe on his liberty?

They do not ; for he has no right to do wrong.

24. What would perfectly wise laws require ? They would require men to do what is just.

25. What would they prohibit ?

Everything unjust.

26'. What would be the result of perfectly wise laws faithfully executed f

Every one would be at liberty to do right, and would be secure from wrong.

27. If one was free to do right, and secure against wrong, what would he have ?

Perfect liberty.

28. What, then, is the relation between liberty and law?

The perfection of law would secure the perfection of liberty.

Chapter III. Despotism. — Free Government. — Right And Duty Of Self-government

1. What is a despotic government f

A government in which the rulers exercise irresponsible power.

2. May a republican government be despotic ? Those intrusted with power by the people may,

for a time, use that power in a despotic manner.

3. What is the remedy in such a case f

The remedy is found in the ballot-box. Other men must be elected to wield the powers of government.

4. What is a military despotism f Government by a military despot whose will is the

sole law.

5. What is a free government f

A government of laws securing liberty.

6. May not an absolute despot make wise and just

He may.

7. Would not such laws secure liberty?

They would for the time being ; but there would be no security for their continuance.

8. Why would there be no security ?

Because they would depend upon the will of one man, whose will might change at any moment.

9. Is government by the people necessarily a free government ?

Not necessarily; for the people, or a majority of them, may construct a government which will not secure liberty.

10. Have the people a right to govern themselves? It is both their right and duty to govern themselves wisely and righteously.

11. How have governments often originated?

In fraud and force, and not in the consent of the people governed.

12. Jlay such governments become legitimate? They may.

13. How may they become legitimate ?

Only by becoming good governments, and receiving either the express or the tacit consent of the people.

14. What do you mean by a legitimate government? A lawful government.

15. Jlay it be the duty of a people to obey a military despot ?

It may be the duty of a people to obey a despot for a time.

Christ taught the duty of obedience to Caesar, who was a military despot.

17. On what ground may it be our duty to obey a m Hilary despot ?

On the ground that any government is better than anarchy, or lawlessness.

18. How long may it be the duty of a people to obey a military despot f

Till they can overthrow his government, and establish a better one in its place.

19. What is meant by the divine right of kings? The claim put forth by some monarchs that they

received their power directly from God, and not from the people.

20. What doctrine was founded upon this claim ? The doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance.

21. What did that doctrine teach ?

It taught that implicit, unquestioning obedience should be given to the government, and that no resistance should be made even to the most oppressive acts.

22. Are the people infallible in matters of government f

No individual is infallible ; hence no collection of individuals is infallible.

23. Can an ignorant and vicious people establish and maintain a free government ?

Reason and experience show that they cannot. .24. What are the greatest safeguards of freedom? Intelligence and morality on the part of the people.

Chapter IV. Colonial Governments

1. When did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth ? December 22, 1620.

2. In what ship did they cross the ocean ? The May Flower.

16 the TorxG cmznrt

They drew up and signed a compact binding themselves to obey the laws which should be made by the majority.

4. What officers did they choose f A governor and an assistant

5. Who made the laws ?

The people of the colony.

Until 1639 — nineteen years.

7. What change then took place t

The settlements had become so widely extended that it was inconvenient for the people to assemble and make I

8. What measures were then taken f

The people elected representatives to meet and make laws for them.

1 the first legislative assembly in America ?

Xo ; the first representative legislature sat in Virginia in 1619.*

10. In what respect were the governments of aU the colonies similar*

:h colony had a governor, a council constituting the upper house of the legislature, and represent ■:.: chosen by the people, constituting the lower house.

* Previous to 1619, the people of Virginia had been governed by a governor and council appointed by the king of Great Britain. The people then claimed the right, as British subjects, to be represented in the government. Sir George Yeardley. the governor, permitted the various plantations to elect representatives, who formed the lower house of the legislature, the council forming the upper house.

11. How were the governors appointed t

In most of the colonies, they were appointed by the king.

12. What powers had the colonial legislatures ? They had power to make laws for their respective

colonies, provided the laws made were not contrary to the laws of Great Britain.

13. What poicer had the governors ?

They had power to veto any and every act of the legislatures ; that is, to prevent the act from becoming a law.

14. What powers had the governor and council acting together ?

They had power to establish courts and appoint judges, to raise troops and proclaim martial law in cases of invasion or rebellion.

15. Mad the colonists much liberty f

They had the forms of liberty,without the substance.

16. Who possessed the political power ?

All real power was possessed by the king, or by those holding office at his will.

17. Were the colonies united under one general government ?

They were united only in a common relation to the crown and to the mother country.

18. On what ground did the colonists claim that they should not be taxed without their consent ?

On the ground that they were entitled to all the privileges of Englishmen, especially that of representation.

19. What led to the revolution ?

The attempt of the Parliament of Great Britain to raise a revenue in the colonies while denying them representation in Parliament. 2

20. What act of Parliament was passed for that purpose f

The Stamp Act, which required the colonists to use stamped paper for all legal documents.

21. What state took the lead in opposition to the measures of the British government f

Massachusetts recommended that a Congress of deputies from all the colonies should assemble to deliberate on the state of affairs.

22. When and where did this Congress meet f In Philadelphia, September 4, 1774.

23. How were the delegates to this Congress ap-

In some colonies by the lower branches of the legislatures, and in others by conventions of the people held for that purpose.

24. When and where did the second Congress meet f In May, 1775, in Philadelphia.

25. What were some of the acts of this Congress f They appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the troops of the colonies, and declared independence July 4, 1776.

Chapter V. The Confederation

1. When did Congress appoint a committee to prepare Articles of Union between the states f

On the 11th of June, 1776, the same day on which they appointed a committee to prepare the Declaration of Independence.

2. What were the Articles thus prepared by Congress called?

Articles of Confederation and of Perpetual Union between the States.

3. When were they adopted by Congress f November, 1777.

4. When were the Articles to become binding on the states ?

When adopted by the legislatures of all the states.

5. When did they become binding?

In March, 1781, nearly five years after the declaration of independence.

6. Were the states separate, independent states up to that time?

They were ; but Congress had by general consent assumed the powers of a government for the United States.

7. What has that government been called? The revolutionary government.

8. What was the government established by the "Articles" called?

The government of the Confederation.

9. Where were the powers of this government vested?

In Congress.

10. Of how many Houses did Congress consist? It consisted of one House.

11. How were the members appointed?

By the legislatures of the states.

12. How many delegates could each state send? No state could send less than two nor more than

seven.

13. For what length of time were the delegates appointed?

For one year ; but each state could recall its delegates at any time, and send others in their stead.

14. How was the voting done in Congress ? Each state had one vote, which was determined by

a majority of its delegates.

15. What were some of the powers of Congress? Congress had power to declare war and make

peace ; to coin money ; to regulate the standard of weights and measures; to establish post-offices; to borrow money on the credit of the United States, and to emit bills of credit; to ascertain the amount of money needed by the United States, and to apportion the same among the states; to agree upon the number of the land forces, and apportion them among the states ; to build and equip a navy ; and to appoint one of their number to preside in Congress.

16. What was the presiding officer called? The President of Congress.

17. Was there any President of the United States with powers similar to those the President now has ?

No.

18. Had Congress power to lay and collect taxes ? It had not.

19. Had Congress power to regulate commerce with foreign nations ?

It had not.

20. How were all important matters determined? By the consent of nine states.

21. How many states were there at that time ? Thirteen.

22. Had Congress power to establish a national judiciary?

It had not.

23. What courts could it establish ?

Courts for " receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures."

24. What was the great defect of the government of the Confederation?

Its want of power.*

25. Towards what were things tending ?

Towards a state which threatened to place the

people in a worse condition than. they were in before the revolution.f

Chapter VI. Formation And Adoption Op The Constitution

1. What measures were taken to remedy the defects of the Confederation?

A Convention was called for that purpose.

2. Who recommended the calling of a Convention ? Congress.

* " The Confederation," said Washington, " seems to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance, and Congress a nugatory body, their ordinances being little attended to."

t "Washington, in view of the state of things, wrote that it might be " a subject of regret that so much blood and treasure have been lavished to no purpose, that so many sufferings have been encountered without compensation, and that so many sacrifices have been made in vain."

3. Who were especially influential in bringing about that event?

James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

4. How were the delegates to the Convention appointed?

By the legislatures of the states.

5. Did all the states send delegates ?

All except Rhode Island.

6. What was the Convention called?

The Federal Convention.

7. Where and when did it meet ?

In Philadelphia, May 5, 1787.

8. Who was chosen President of the Convention ? George Washington.

9. What was one of the rules of the Convention ? That the proceedings of the Convention should be

kept secret.

10. How did those proceedings become known? Mr. Madison made a daily record of them, and

after his death that record was published by order of Congress.

11. What was the Convention expected to do? To revise and amend the Articles of Confederation.

12. Of what was a majority of the Convention soon convinced?

That something more than a revision and amendment of the Articles was needed.

13. What was the first resolution adopted by the Convention?

" Resolved, that a national government ought to be established, with a supreme legislative, executive, and judiciary."

14. Were all the members of the Convention in favor of that resolution ?

There were some who insisted that they were appointed to amend the Articles of Confederation, and that they had no right to proceed to form a national government.

15. Was the question of abandoning the Confederation, or league of the states, and of forming a national government for the United States, brought distinctly before the Convention ?

It was.

16. How did the states, by their delegates, vote on that question?

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia — seven states — voted for the national plan.

17. What states voted for the league plan? New York, New Jersey, and Delaware — three

states. The vote of Maryland was divided.

18. What did the Convention then proceed to do? To form the Constitution.

19. Was the formation of the Constitution a difficult work ?

It was a work of so great difficulty that Washington wrote to a friend, " I almost despair of seeing a favorable issue to the proceedings of the Convention, and I do therefore regret that I have had any agency in the business."

20. What was done with the Constitution when finished by the Convention ?

It was published and laid before Conventions called by the legislatures of the states to adopt or to reject it.

21. Who were prominent among the writers in favor of the Constitution ?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

22. What is the work written by them called f The Federalist.

23. What were the friends of the Constitution called?

Federalists.

24. What were its opponents called?

Anti-Federalists.

25. How was the Constitution adopted?

By state conventions.

26. What states adopted the Constitution unani' mously ?

Delaware, New Jersey, and Georgia.

27. What states adopted it by large majorities ? Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina.

28. What states adopted it by small majorities? Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.

29. What state rejected it ?

North Carolina.

30. What state did not call a Convention to consider it ?

Rhode Island.

31. Sow many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it could go into operation?

Nine states.

^2. What was done by Congress when eleven states had ratified it ?

On the 13th of September, 1788, Congress appointed the first Wednesday of January, 1789, for the choice of electors for President, and the first Wednesday of March following for commencing proceedings under the new Constitution.

33. Who were elected President and Vice-President?

George Washington and John Adams.

34. When and where did the first Congress under

the Constitution meet ?

On the 4th of March, 1789, in New York.

35. When were the votes for President counted? On the 6th of April.

36. Why were they not counted sooner?

Because a quorum of both houses of Congress did

not assemble till that time.

37. When was Washington sworn into office ? • On the 30th of April, 1789.

38. Who were members of his Cabinet?

Thomas Jefferson was Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Knox, Secretary of War, and Edmund Randolph, Attorney-General.

39. Did the Constitution go into full operation when Washington was sworn into office ?

It did not,' because Congress had first to pass laws organizing the different departments.

40. Did all the officers of the Confederation cease to act on the 4th of March, 1789?

They did not, but continued to attend to their departments until relieved by officers appointed under the Constitution.

41. When was the Constitution in full operation? In the autumn of 1789.

42. WJien did North Carolina and Rhode Island adopt the Constitution f

North Carolina adopted it in November, 1789, and Rhode Island in May, 1790.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

ORIGIN OP SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT.

1. Is society of human or divine origin?

2. What is meant when it is said that society is of divine origin ?

3. Are men under obligation to live in society?

4. Why are laws necessary ?

5. Who make and execute the laws ?

6. How does it appear that it is God's will that there should be government?

7. What is the fundamental law of society and government?

8. What are the three forms of government?

9. Who determine the form of government?

10. What is the best form of government?

11. For what nations is a republic the best form?

12. On what ground may it be the duty of a people to obey a despotic government?

13. In what way may a government established by fraud or force become a lawful government?

14. When did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth?

15. By whom were their laws made at first?

16. How were they made when the population became more numerous ?

17. Is convenience the only reason for choosing representatives ?

18. What other reason can be given?

19. When and where did the first legislative assembly meet in America?

20. In what respects were the Colonial governments similar ?

21. What powers had the Colonial legislatures ?

22. By whom was all real power retained ?

23. What led to the Kevolution ? •

24. What state recommended a meeting of delegates from the Colonies ?

25. When and where did the first Congress meet?

26. When did the second Congress meet?

27. What was the distinguishing act of that Congress ?

28. What measures did it take to unite the states?

29. When were the Articles of Confederation adopted by all the states ?

30. Where were the powers of the Confederation vested ?

31. Of how many houses did Congress consist?

32. How was the voting done ?

33. What was the great defect of the Confederation?

34. Could it lay and collect taxes and raise soldiers ?

35. What could it do when money and men were wanted?

36. Who took the lead in measures for forming the Constitution ?

37. When and where did the Federal Convention meet?

38. With what purpose did a majority of the members come together ?

39. What was the first resolution passed by the Convention ?

40. What did they then proceed to do ?

41. Was the formation of the Constitution a work of difficulty?

42. How was the Constitution adopted ?

43. How many states had adopted it when it went into operation ?

44. When were the electors for President chosen?

45. Who was the first President?

46. When and where did the first Congress under the Constitution meet ?

Chapter VII. The Nature Of The Constitution

1. How is the Constitution divided as to its form? It is divided into articles, sections, and paragraphs.

2. How many articles did the Constitution contain when it was adopted?

Seven.

3. How many have since been added as amendments ?

Thirteen.

4. Are these amendments as much a part of the Constitution as the original articles ?

They are.

5. Repeat the Preamble of the Constitution?

" We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, and promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

6. By whom was the Constitution ordained and established?

By the people of the United States.

7. By whom then can the Constitution be altered or abolished?

By the people of the United States.*

* An early decision of the Supreme Court declares, " The Constitution of the United States was ordained and established not by the states in their sovereign capacity, but emphatically as the Constitution declares, by ' the people of the United

States. 1 "

8. When is an act said to be performed by the people of the United States ?

When it is performed by a majority of the people.

9. Is the Constitution a league between the States ? No ; it is the fundamental law of a national government for the people of the United States.

10. Why may not a state withdraw or secede from the Union?

Because the Constitution does not authorize it.

11. Suppose Congress should make a law contrary to the Constitution, may not the people of a state declare it null and void?

They have no right or power to do so.

12. What would be the remedy in case Congress should pass such a law ?

The Supreme Court would declare it null and void.

13. By what authority would it do so ?

By authority given it by the Constitution.

It appears from the express language of the Constitution.

15. Quote the language in point.

" This Constitution . . . shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution and laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding."

16. How does it appear that the Supreme Court has power to- declare laws that are contrary to the Constitution null and void?

The Constitution says, "The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law or equity arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States," &c.

17. Does the Supreme Court decide upon the constitutionality of the kncs 4 before they go into operation f

18. Can any one who deems a Jaw unconstitutional refer it to the Supreme Court for a decision /

He cannot. In order that the court may pronounce a decision on a law, it must be legally brought before the court in a case to be adjudicated.

19. Is the decision of the Supreme Court final? I: is.

20. Suppose it should be erroneous f

There is no help for it. It must stand till reversed by the same court, or by an amendment to the Constitution.

-

They cannot, for they have not sovereign power. _ . WJiat is sovereign power t

S • ereign p>ower is supreme power ; the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.