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were needed, they proceeded to frame an entirely new constitution, consisting of seven articles, and on the 17th of September, 1787, they reported the same to Congress.

The Constitution was to go into operation when ratified by nine States. See page 129.

What did Congress then do?

Congress submitted the report, embracing the Constitution and Resolutions, to the legislatures of the seyeral States, with the request that they be submitted to conventions of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof.

How many States ratified the Constitution before it went into operation?

Eleven States ratified it. North Carolina ratified Nov. 21, 1789, and Rhode Island, May 29, 1790.

ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. What did Congress then do?

The Second Continental Congress adopted Sept. 13, 1778, the following resolution:

Resolved, That the first Wednesday in January next, 1789, be the day for appointing electors in the several States, which, before the said day, shall have ratified the said Constitution: that the first Wednesday in February next, be the day for the electors to assemble in their respective States, and vote for a President: that the FIRST WEDNESDAY in March next, 1789, be the time, and New York (the present seat of Congress) the place for commencing proceedings under the Constitution.

NOTE. Prior to 1821, the electors were chosen by the legislatures of the several States.

WHO MADE THE CONSTITUTION?

FOURTH OF MARCH.

9

What date was afterward fixed for the beginning of the Presidential term?

Congress passed a bill, which was approved March 1, 1792, as follows:

And be it further enacted, That the term of four years, for which a President and Vice-President shall be elected, shall, in all cases, commence on the fourth day of March next succeeding the day on which the votes of the electors shall have been given.

NOTE.-The FIRST WEDNESDAY in March, 1789, was the fourth day of March, and the day of the month, instead of the day of the week, was afterward recognized as the commencement of a Presidential term.

WHO MADE THE CONSTITUTION?

Who, then, framed and ratified the National Constitution? THE PEOPLE, by their delegates in convention, framed it: THE PEOPLE, by their delegates in convention, ratified it; and the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS declared it ratified.

By Whom, and When, were the fifteen amendments prepared and ratified?

The first ten amendments were prepared by the first Congress under the Constitution, and ratified by the legislatures of ten States in 1791; the other amendments have been prepared in the same manner, the last one being ratified in 1870.

What Officer announces to the people the ratification of an amendment to the Constitution?

The action of State legislatures is transmitted to the Secretary of State; and when a sufficient number (threefourths) of the legislatures of the several States have so

ratified, then the Secretary of State declares the amendment ratified.

For dates of ratification, see pp. 130-135.

STATE CONSTITUTION.

How was the State Constitution prepared and ratified?

The people of the State, by their delegates in convention, framed the constitution: the people voted directly for or against its ratification.

AMENDMENTS.

How may Amendments be made to the State Constitution? Amendments to the State Constitution may be proposed in Senate and Assembly: and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to both houses, and by a majority of the members of both houses of the legislature that shall be chosen at the next general election of Senators; and if ratified subsequently by a majority of the electors qualified to vote, then the said amendment becomes a part of the Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF ENGLAND.

What is the Constitution of England?

The English Constitution is not a formal written instrument, adopted by, and ratified by conventions, but is the accumulated growth of all English history. It is comprehended in no single enactment, nor in the enactments of any single reign. It is composed of all the great charters and statutes that have been enacted from time to time since the reign of John (1199 to 1216) with such customs and precedents as have the sanction of long usage.

The United States Constitution is but a collection

[blocks in formation]

and epitome, of the various charters of freedom that lie scattered all along the pathway of English history, arranged by a convention and sanctioned by the people.

SUMMARY.

What is the United States Constitution?

I. The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land. II. It is the great charter of our Liberties.

III. It is the Magna Charta of the United States. IV. The people elected delegates to a National convention: the delegates in convention framed the constitu-tion: it was then ratified by State conventions, composed. of delegates chosen by the people,-hence the constitution originated with the people.

Why was the Constitution made?

I. In order to form a more perfect Union;

II. Establish justice;

III. Insure domestic tranquillity;

IV. Provide for the common defence;

V. Promote the general welfare;

VI. And secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves.

and our posterity.

When was it made? See page 8.

Where was it made? See page 7.

STATE CONSTITUTION.

What is a State Constitution?

I. It is the great fundamental law of the State. II. It comes directly from the people, through their ratification, commencing with the following words:

We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to

Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to receive its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.

DIVISIONS AND POWERS OF GOVERNMENT.

How many Divisions of Constitutional government in the United States?

There are two divisions,-National and State.

How many Powers has each division?

Each division has three powers, namely: Legislative, Executive and Judicial. See chart, pages 14, 15.

STATUTE LAW.

What is a Statute Law of Congress?

A Statute Law of Congress is a written or printed instrument (called a bill) ordaining or forbidding something to be done, that has been adopted by a majority of both houses of Congress, and approved by the President.

The President's refusal to approve, is called a Veto; but a subsequent two-thirds vote of both houses will make it a Statute Law without the President's consent.

What is a Statute Law of the Legislature of New York?

It is a bill that has been adopted by a majority of both houses of the Legislature, and approved by the Governor, or passed over his veto.

NOTE.-Explain how a vetoed bill becomes a Statute Law. See page 57. What divisions of government have been organized by Statute Laro?

Congress organizes Territories and provides for their government (see page 72); admits new States (see page 71); organizes and controls the District of Co

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