The Government Class Book | Page 3

pupils. The teacher will find the exercise both
interesting and profitable to himself. Although pains have been taken to
adapt the work to the capacities of youth, the definition of many terms
and phrases, and the further explanation of many subjects, have
necessarily been left to be supplied by teachers. The study and
investigation which may in some cases be required to qualify them for
the task, will be amply rewarded by their own advancement in political
knowledge.
No intelligent teacher, it is presumed, will object to the introduction of
this study, on the ground that there is not sufficient time or room for an
additional exercise. Useful as all the branches now taught may be justly
deemed, all of them are not, as is a knowledge of government,
indispensable to the security of our liberties. The latter is of far greater
importance to an American citizen, than a knowledge of some portions
of arithmetic and the higher mathematics; and in the opinion of some
distinguished educators the time now devoted to these, in many schools,
is sufficient to acquire a tolerable political education. It is believed,
however, that this study need not exclude, or essentially interfere with,
any of the studies pursued in the schools generally. By the more
advanced scholars in the common schools, the work may be used as a
reading book, and thus a two-fold advantage be gained from its use.

To assist the more inexperienced teachers in conducting the exercise, a
few questions have been appended to the chapters. Questions may be
added by the teachers at pleasure, or to such extent as may be thought
necessary. And it is believed the recitations may be made more
profitable to pupils, by requiring them, so far as may be, to give
answers in their own words. To some of the printed questions, no
answers are furnished by the chapters and sections referred to, but may
be found in the Synopsis of the State Constitutions, or other parts of the
work. Occasionally questions have been inserted to which no part of
the work furnishes the answers.

Contents

Principles of Government.
Chapter I.
Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws
Chapter II.
Rights and Liberty, defined
Chapter III.
Laws defined
Chapter IV.
Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy;
Republic

State Governments.

Chapter V.
The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the manner in which it is
made
Chapter VI.
Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is exercised in
the States of this Union
Chapter VII.
Elections
Chapter VIII.
Division of the Powers of Government
Chapter IX.
States Legislatures--how constituted
Chapter X.
Meetings and Organization of the Legislature
Chapter XI.
Manner of Enacting Laws
Chapter XII.
Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Chapter XIII.
Assistant Executive State Officers

Chapter XIV.
Counties and County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers
Chapter XV.
Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers
Chapter XVI.
Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c.
Chapter XVII.
Judicial Department. Justices' Courts
Chapter XVIII.
Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders
Chapter XIX.
Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c.
Chapter XX.
Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment
Chapter XXI.
Assessment and Collection of Taxes
Chapter XXII.
Education. School Funds; Schools, &c.
Chapter XXIII.

Canals and Railroads
Chapter XXIV.
Banks and Insurance Companies
Chapter XXV.
The Militia

Government of the United States.
Chapter XXVI.
Causes of the Revolution
Chapter XXVII.
Nature of the Union under the Confederation
Chapter XXVIII.
Nature of the Union under the Constitution
Chapter XXIX.
Legislative Department. House of Representatives
Chapter XXX.
The Senate
Chapter XXXI.
Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money

Chapter XXXII.
Power to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations
Chapter XXXIII.
Power to Regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce
among the States, and with the Indian Tribes
Chapter XXXIV.
Powers of Congress in Relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; Coining
Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting
Chapter XXXV.
Powers of Congress in Relation to Post-Offices; Copy-Rights and
Patents; Inferior Courts
Chapter XXXVI.
Powers of Congress in Relation to Piracy and Offenses against the Law
of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal; Public Defense; District of
Columbia; Implied Powers
Chapter XXXVII.
Prohibitions on Congress
Chapter XXXVIII.
Prohibition on the States
Chapter XXXIX.
Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election,
Qualifications, &c.

Chapter XL.
Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers;
Appointments and Removals
Chapter XLI.
Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the
Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office;
Attorney General
Chapter XLII.
Judicial Department. District Courts; Circuit Courts; Supreme Court
Chapter XLIII.
Treason Defined, its Punishment
Chapter XLIV.
State Records; Privileges of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New
States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican