Elements of Civil Government | Page 8

citizens of the civil district are the people residing within it. It
exists for their benefit, that they may be secure in life, liberty, and
property. In a certain sense they constitute the district, since its
government concerns them directly, and others only remotely.
RIGHTS.--All citizens have a right to the full and equal protection of
the laws. Each has a right to be secure in his person and property; to
demand that the peace be preserved; to do all things according to his
own will, provided he does not trespass upon the rights of others. No
one in the family, in the school, in the civil district, in the county, in the
State, or in the nation, has the right to do or say any thing which
interferes with the life, liberty, property, or happiness of another. Any
act which interferes with the rights of others is an offence against the
common good and against the law. It is chiefly for the prevention and
punishment of these unlawful acts that the civil district exists, with its
court and its officers.
All legal voters of the district have the right to participate in its
government by exercising a free choice in the selection of its officers,
except in States where these officers are appointed. They have the right

to cast their votes without fear or favor. This is one of the most
important and sacred rights that freemen possess. Free government can
not exist without it. The law guarantees it, and all the power of the
State may be employed to maintain it. Therefore, whoever prevents a
voter from exercising the right of suffrage does it at his own peril.
DUTIES.--As the citizens of the civil district have rights, they also
have corresponding duties. As they may demand protection and the
preservation of the peace, so it is their duty to obey the law and assist
the officers in its enforcement, in order that the same protection may be
extended to the whole people. Each should abstain from acts that injure
others, and render cheerful aid to all in securing their rights through the
law.
All qualified voters have the right, and it is also their duty, to vote. The
voters elect the officers of the district, and are therefore its rulers.
When they fail to vote, they fail to rule--fail in their duty to the people
and to themselves. The duty to vote implies the duty to vote right, to
vote for good men and for good measures. Therefore, citizens should
study their duty as voters, that they may elect honest, capable, faithful
officers, and support the parties and principles that will best promote
the good of the country? Every one should study his political duty with
the best light that he can obtain, decide what is right, and then vote his
sentiments honestly and fearlessly. If the district has good government,
the voters deserve the credit; if it has bad government, the voters
deserve the blame.

OFFICERS.
The officers of the district are the justices of the peace and the
constable. In some States there is only one justice to each district, in
other States there are two, and in others there are three.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.--The office of justice of the peace is one of
dignity and importance. Justices can render great service to society by
the proper discharge of their duties. They may have much to do with

enforcing the law, and therefore the best men should be elected to this
office.
ELECTION, TERM OF OFFICE.--Justices of the peace are usually
elected by the qualified voters of the district. In some States the
governor appoints them. The term of office is two, three, four, or even
seven years, varying in different States.
DUTIES.--The duties of justices of the peace are principally judicial,
and their jurisdiction extends throughout the county. Upon the sworn
statement of the person making complaint, they issue warrants for the
arrest of offenders. With the aid of juries, they hold court for the trial of
minor offences--such as the breach of the peace--punishable by fine or
brief imprisonment. They sometimes try those charged with higher
crimes, and acquit; or, if the proof is sufficient, remand the accused to
trial by a higher court. This is called an examining trial. They try civil
suits where the amount involved does not exceed a fixed amount--fifty
dollars in some States, and one hundred dollars in others--and prevent
crime by requiring reckless persons to give security to keep the peace.
Justices sometimes preside, instead of the coroner, at inquests, and in
some States they have important duties as officers of the county.
CONSTABLE, ELECTION, TERM OF OFFICE.--There is usually one
constable--in some States more--in each civil district. Constables, like
the justices, are elected in most States; but