So with the United States. There was a time less than one hundred and fifty years ago when there was no such thing on earth. A comparatively few men, representing the people of the former colonies, decided to form a Nation, and in the Constitutional Convention after months of discussion, the Constitution was adopted, and it was finally ratified by the people of the States. While many persons opposed some of the provisions of the Constitution, all submitted to the will of the majority.
Thereafter, rules of conduct called laws--in your society by-laws--were adopted, and from time to time changed and extended as circumstances seemed to demand. We are going to talk about these laws in a few days.
But _there is the whole story_. There is the simple beginning of this now great Nation, the most powerful on earth.
So you see there is nothing mysterious about the origin of our Constitution. There is nothing mysterious about the origin or the organization of this government. The important thing to bear in mind is that it was formed by the people for themselves. Humanity, after thousands of years, had reached a point where they refused longer to be governed by a king or similar ruler.
All this will become more clear to you as you understand something of the nature of liberty and of law.
1. What is the government of the United States? Why isn't the capitol at Washington the government? Why is it impossible to point out the government of the United States upon the map?
2. What is a servant? Describe a servant. Why does the judge say that the President of the United States is only a servant of the people?
3. Was the Kaiser a servant of the German people? Why not?
4. Where does the President get his power? Where do members of Congress get their power? Judges? The Sheriff? The Mayor?
5. If we do not like what our servants do, how can we control them?
6. What is government in a school? In a club? What would it be like if there were no government in either? Name five advantages of having a government.
7. Suppose that you were like Robinson Crusoe, except that five of you were shipwrecked. Would you form a government? Why?
8. If you were tie write a constitution, what would you include?
9. Suppose that a man came into your yard and tried to steal your bicycle, what could you do to protect your rights?