The Government Class Book | Page 2

reading and reference for adults. Not being
deemed, however, sufficiently elementary for the children and youth in
most of our common schools, another work, entitled, "_First Lessons in
Civil Government_," was written to meet the capacities of younger or
less advanced scholars than those for whom the previous work was
designed.
The favorable reception of these works by the public, and the
assurances of their usefulness to thousands who have studied them, are
to the author a source of high gratification, and an ample reward for
many years of arduous labor. The value of these works has, however,
been in a measure impaired by changes in the government and laws
since the time of their first publication. The latter, especially,
descending so minutely into the details of the government of the state
for which alone it is intended, requires frequent revisions.
It has occurred to the author that a new work, more permanent in the
character of its matter, and adapted for use in all the states, is demanded
to supply the deficiency in the present course of education. Stimulated
by a desire to bear some part in laying a solid foundation for our
republican institutions, and encouraged by the success of his former
labors in this department of education, he has, after a suspension of
several years, resumed his efforts in this enterprise, in the hope that,
with the coöperation of teachers, and those having official supervision
of the schools, it may be carried forward to an early consummation;
when the principles of government shall be made a subject of regular
study in the schools, and the elements of a sound political education
shall be accessible to the mass of American youth. And he flatters
himself, that the attention he has given to this subject has enabled him
to prepare a work adapted, in a good degree, to meet the existing want
of the schools.
Many words and phrases, as they occur in the course of the work, have
been defined; and an attempt has been made to explain the several

subjects in such a manner as to render them intelligible to youth.
The object which it is the purpose of this work to aid in effecting,
claims the earnest attention of parents. Every father, at least, is bound
to see that his sons have the means of acquiring a good political
education. He can not innocently suffer them to pass from under his
guardianship unprepared to discharge their political duties.
The study of this work should not be confined to male pupils. It has
long been considered a striking defect in our system of education, that
females are not more generally instructed in the principles of civil
government, and in matters of business. Although they take no active
part in public affairs, the knowledge here commended would enable
them to exert a far more powerful and salutary influence upon our
national character and destiny. As wives, mothers, teachers, and
especially as counselors of the other sex, they could apply this
knowledge to valuable purposes. And the question is submitted,
whether it would not contribute more to their usefulness than some of
those accomplishments which form so large a part of a modern female
education, and which are usually lost amidst the cares of married life.
To preserve and transmit the blessings of constitutional liberty, we
need a healthful patriotism. But a genuine love of country is hardly to
be expected where there is not a proper appreciation of our political
institutions, which give it its preeminence among nations. And how can
they be duly appreciated if they are not understood? It has been one of
the objects of the writer to bring to view the chief excellencies of our
system of government, and thus to lay, in the minds of youth, the basis
of an enlightened and conservative patriotism.
That this work, as an elementary treatise on civil government, is not
susceptible of improvement, is not pretended. Such as it is, it is
submitted to the judgment of a candid public. If it shall prove in any
considerable degree useful, the author's highest expectations will have
been realized.

To Teachers.
To the meritorious, though often undervalued labors of the instructors
of American youth, is our country greatly indebted for the successful
working of its system of free government; and upon the labors of their
successors rest, in an equal degree, all well-founded hopes of its future
political prosperity.
The general introduction and profitable study of this work, depend
much upon a hearty and active coöperation of teachers in the enterprise
which it is intended to promote. From all who desire to make
themselves in the highest degree useful in their profession, such
coöperation is confidently anticipated.
The advantage of instructing a class in civil government, is not
confined to the