This book is included in the US Government: Educational, Informational & Motivational section.
Preface
THIS work has grown out of the necessities and experience of the class-room. For the proper instruction
of the student in the important subject of civil government, a clear exposition of the great principles of
the Constitution is needed, with a summary of the
legislative provisions in which they nave been embodied. When the author took charge of this department of study, he found himself embarrassed in both
these respects, and especially the latter. Questions were
continually suggesting themselves, to which answers
could be obtained only after laborious research.
Urged on by a deep interest in the subject, and
availing himself of the unusual facilities for the prosecution of studies of this character furnished by the
library of the College, the author entered upon a some
what extended investigation of our governmental history. The materials thus accumulated, and accumulating, having for some years furnished the basis for
instruction by lectures, have now been condensed into
this form, and are given to the public in the hope
that other instructors may be in some measure relieved
from the excessive labor which similar personal examination would involve.
While the primary object was to provide a suitable
text-book, a conviction that a knowledge of our government can not be too widely diffused, and that large
numbers would welcome a good work on this subject,
has led to the attempt to make the volume a manual
adapted for consultation and reference by the citizens
at large. With this end in view, the author has sought
to embody in the work that kind and so far as space
would allow, that amount of information on the
various topics which an intelligent citizen would de
sire to possess.
As the value of a work of this kind depends in large
measure upon its accuracy, it is proper to say that in
nearly every instance the statements touching the
legislation or other action of the government have
been taken from official publications.
A careful revision of the work has been made, incorporating in it all important changes in the legislation
of the country, and giving the practical workings of
the Constitution to the present time.
MARIETTA COLLEGE,
August, 1878.
CONTENTS
Chapter I.
ClVIL GOVERNMENT
ITS OBJECT, ORIGIN, AND NATURE - DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT - PECULIARITY OF THAT OF THE UNITED STATES - NOT A CONSOLIDATED REPUBLIC, NOR A LEAGUE OF STATES,
Chapter II.
THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS
ROYAL, PROPRIETARY, AND CHARTER - THE CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION - THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS - THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
Chapter III.
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
THEIR FAILURE - THE CONVENTION TO FORM A CONSTITUTION,
Chapter IV.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Chapter V.
THE RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION BY THE SEVERAL STATES,
Chapter VI.
THE ADMISSION OF NEW STATES THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS,
Chapter VII. PRACTICAL OPERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION,
Chapter VIII. THE STATE GOVERNMENTS,
APPENDIX
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