The authors have done more than present the facts about the Constitution of the United States, with particular emphasis on its personal guaranties. They have vitalized a topic generally thought to be dry and technical. They have succeeded in making the Constitution seem to be what it is, a factor of first importance in the daily life of the average citizen. It is not too much to say that the seed of this book should be planted in every home in America.
The admirable work of annotation by Professor Chas. H. Meyerholz, Professor of Social Science in the Iowa State Teachers College, gives much additional material for elementary and advanced study. Professor Meyerholz is well known as an authoritative teacher, writer, and lecturer on subjects pertaining to government, and has done much valuable Americanization work.
The elementary and advanced questions at the end of each chapter will serve as a guide to all teachers and leaders of study classes. The text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, with the original capitalization and punctuation preserved, and an abridgement of a State Constitution, printed at the end of the book, are valuable for reference.
"The Short Constitution" is one of a series of volumes entitled "Elementary Americanism", intended for use in the home, the club, the school, and in general Americanization work.
It is our hope that regular courses in "Americanism" will soon be established in all schools, colleges, and universities.
We use the term "Americanism" because we feel that it signifies something broader, deeper, and more appealing than any title now used in the schools in the teaching of American government, or citizenship, or the rights and duties of the citizens of the United States.
We like the term "America" better than "the United States". "The United States" suggests boundaries, codes, and constitutions. "America" suggests all these and then it suggests _spirit_. There _is_ such a thing as "Americanism". It includes all there is of information relating to our country; but it also has a soul "Americanism" relates to democracy, into which enter all the ideals, all the impulses and emotions of men, women, and children. "Americanism" teaches not only the relation of the States to the National government, and the relation of citizens to both the State and the National government, but it also teaches the relation of men, women, and children to each other.