limitations and may be forfeited, or, when the public good requires it, may be taken from us. By violating the law we may forfeit our liberty and our property. If called upon to take up arms in behalf of the country, it is our duty to respond, and if needs be, to surrender our property and our lives.

As children are dependent upon their parents, they owe them certain duties, not the least of which is obedience to their commands. So with the citizen, dependent upon the State for the protection of himself and his property; he is bound to observe the rules prescribed for his conduct.

Questions-What are human laws? How is the necessity for law apparent? For what are laws necessary? What is a right? Mention some of our rights. To what are these rights subject? How may we forfeit our liberty and property? What duty do we owe the country? State one of the grounds on which obedience is a duty.

CHAPTER XIV.

OF THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT-CONSTITUTIONS, AND THE PURPOSE THEY SERVE.

Different forms of government prevail in different countries. In those countries where the power to govern and make the laws, is vested in one person, we call the government a monarchy. Where the great body of freemen assemble together to make the laws and to transact the b siness of the State, we call the government a democracy.

Where the chief magistrate gets his power to rule by inheritance, but has no power to make the laws, we call the government a mixed government, or a limited mon

archy. Such is the government of Great Britain. The laws are framed by Parliament, and when approved by the monarch become operative.

Where the people enjoy common rights and privileges, but exercise the sovereign power by and through representatives elected by them, we call the government a republic. Every State in the American Union is a republic.

A pure democracy and our American Republic differ in this, that in the former, the citizens assemble in a body to make the laws, while in the latter, the people choose representatives to act for them. Both are governments of the people and derive their powers from them.

The form of government in each of the United States is represented by a written constitution. These constitutions are called the fundamental or political law. They are adopted as the agreement of the people—as the framework of the government-and limit the power of the various departments.

Any act of the Legislature or of any officer of the State which conflicts with any of the provisions of the constitution is invalid. Thus the people are protected against unjust enactments and usurpation of power by their public servants.

Questions-Are the forms of government the same in all countries? What is a monarchy? What is a democracy? What is a mixed gov. ernment or limited monarchy? What form of government has Great Britain? What is a republic? What form of government have the States of the American Union? Wherein consists the difference between a democracy and a republic? From whence do republics and democ racies derive the'r power? By what are the forms of government represented in the several States of this Union? By what names are constitutions sometimes called? What is the object or purpose of constitutions? How do they protect the people?

CHAPTER XV.

GOVERNMENT OF MICHIGAN DIVISIONS OF THE POWERS OF

GOVERNMENT.

The powers of Government are divided into three departments: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

The Legislative department is that which enacts the laws for the government of the people, and its power is vested in a Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate has thirtytwo members, and the House of Representatives has one hundred members.

These officers are elected by the people, from districts into which the State is divided, and hold their offices for two years.

The Executive power of the Government is vested in a Governor, who is assisted by such other officers as are necessary to carry out and execute the laws. Indeed, it is the business of this department to see to it that the laws are carried into effect.

The Judicial department is that which administers justice according to the laws, and is composed of the different Courts of Justice. The Judges and Justices of the Peace are Judicial officers.

Questions-Into how many departments are the powers of government divided? Name them. What is the Legislative department? How many members are there in each House? How are such members elected? How long do they hold their terms of office? In whom is the Executive department vested? What is the special duty of this department? What is the Judicial department? Of what officers is this department composed?

CHAPTER XVI.

ELECTION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

In order that the government may be administered, it is necessary that officers should be elected for that purpose. As the duties of some of these officers pertain to the whole State, we call them State officers; those whose duties are limited to the county, we call county officers; and those whose duties. are limited to, and pertain to the government of the townships, cities, and villages, we call township, city, or village officers, as the case may be.

Once in two years, on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November, a general election is held throughout the State, at which the people choose, by ballot, their Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Treasurer, Commissioner of the Land Office, members of the State Board of Education, Auditor-General, Attorney-General, members of the Legislature, and Representatives in Congress, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Prosecuting Attorney, and Circuit Court Commissioners; and once in four years, in addition to these, a Probate Judge, and Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States. The State is divided into nine districts, for the election of Representatives in Congress.

On the first Monday in April, of each year, in each organized township, the people elect a Supervisor, a Justice of the Peace, a Township Clerk, a Commissioner of Highways, a Township Treasurer, a School Inspector, not exceeding four

Constables, and one Overseer of Highways for each highway district.

Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts, Regents of the State University, and County Superintendents of Schools, are also elected at the April elections.

In addition to these, elections are held in cities and villages, of officers to discharge the duties required of them under the charter and by-laws of such city or village.

Questions-In treating of the officers required to carry on the government, under what general classification do we refer to them? At what time is the general election for the State and county officers held? Name the officers elected at the general election. Into how many districts is the State divided for the election of Representatives in Congress? At what time are township officers elected? Name the township offiWhat other officers are elected at the spring election?

cers.

CHAPTER XVII.

QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS

EIGNERS.

NATURALIZATION OF FOR

The right to vote is called the right of suffrage. Persons who have the right to make choice of public officers, and to vote, are called electors.

In all elections, every male citizen, every male inhabitant residing in the State, on the twenty-fourth day of June, 1835; every male inhabitant residing in the State, on the first day of January, 1850, who has declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, pursuant to the laws thereof, six months preceding an election, or who has resided in the State two years and six months, and declared his intention as afore