discussing freely the political, social, and religious questions in which they are interested. The government thinks and acts for the people. In our land, it is considered not only the right, but also the duty of the citizen to gain all the knowledge that can be obtained upon every subject of public interest, and for this purpose religious, political, commercial, and educational conventions are frequently held to discuss topics affecting the welfare of society. Our government gives every man the right to speak, if he can secure an audience, and every audience the right to listen to such discussion as it may wish to hear. It has been said that, "Error is not to be feared, if truth is free to combat it." No man is sure of the truth until he has heard it fairly discussed. As was stated in Chapter XIII, there are always two sides to a story, and he is only half informed who has listened but to one side. For this reason, our government grants the fullest liberty of discussion, that every man may become completely acquainted with any subject that may engage his attention. Free speech is one of a freeman's rights. Free press.-Tyrants are always afraid of the freedom of speech and of the press; they dread discussion, as they can not bear that the truth shall be known. But the same reasons that entitle men to speak freely, entitle them also to print their opinions and scatter them abroad. There have been occasions in the history of our country when attempts were made to stifle free discussion, and suppress the publication of unpopular doctrines. Meetings have been broken up, speakers have been abused, and printing presses destroyed. But "might does not give right," and the exercise of mob law and violence, though it may temporarily suc How does our government encourage free discussion? What subjects interest our people? What is the maxim concerning error and truth? When is a man sure he is right? Why is it a duty to learn? Why should we hear both sides? Why are tyrants afraid of a free press? Have efforts been made in this country to sup press freedom of speech and the press? What has been the result? ceed, is never a match for truth. The cause of right and justice, however it may be hindered, is sure to prevail. There is no more certain evidence of the weakness of any cause than the fact that its friends are afraid of its free discussion by an untrammeled press. As Americans, we can not be too jealous of any attempt, by any person or party, to violate this right of every citizen; for, if we permit the rights of one, however obscure or humble, to be trampled on to-day, upon the same wrong principle we may suffer in the loss of our rights to-morrow. Qualified rights.-Upon the subjects of religion and politics there is no restriction of the freedom of the citizen. Men may speak and publish any thing they desire concerning the public policy of the country, or concerning matters of faith and worship. There is no limitation upon these topics, because they are only matters of individual opinion. Every man has a right to the expression of his views, since no individual is bound to accept them as true. But if, in the exercise of the liberty of speech and of the press, any thing is uttered which is calculated to pollute the morals of the people, the person so offending may be called to account for the abuse of his privilege. No man has a right to print and publish indecent and obscene language or illustrations, since it is by such things that the public taste becomes depraved, and the public manners corrupted. No people can remain pure where such mental and moral poison is freely disseminated, and consequently the civil law expressly forbids this abuse of the liberty of the press. So, also, is every man responsible for What is a good evidence of a bad cause? What may we expect if we prevent the exercise of free expression in others? Why should there be no restriction put upon the free expression of political or religious views? Why may vile language and lascivious pictures not be published? May we speak or print injurious reports of our neighbor, if they are untrue? May we if they are true? Have editors the right to defame or ridicule private persons? Or public officers? Under what circumstances is it right to expose the improprieties of any one? the injury he may inflict upon his neighbor's reputation or business by the public exposure of his private affairs. Trial by jury.—Another reason why Americans should be proud of their government, is that they can not be deprived of life, liberty, or property, except by due course of law. Every person who is arrested has a right to a hearing, to determine whether he shall be detained as a prisoner. If he is charged with the commission of crime, he has the right to a trial in open court; to secure counsel to assist in his defense; to procure witnesses, and to be tried by a jury of twelve unprejudiced men, who will patiently hear the case, and determine his guilt or innocence. These are a few of the more important reasons why American youth should be proud of their country and its government. CHAPTER XXVII. "Here, beneath a virtuous sway, DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP. "Municipal law is a rule of action prescribed by the supreme power in a state, commanding what is right, and prohibiting what is wrong." What is the next right of the citizen? When a man is arrested for crime, what are his rights? What is meant by a jury? Why has a man a right to trial in open court? Review some of the reasons why American youth should love their country and its government. Define municipal law. The terms "rule of action" and "prescribed" have been already defined in Chapter III. To understand this definition of municipal law, it is necessary to understand what is meant by "the supreme power in a state." In the great variety of national governments this power is very differently vested. In some, the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the sovereign; in others, in the hands of the nobility or aristocracy. Ours is called a republican form of government, which is defined as "one in which the exercise of the supreme power is lodged in representatives elected by the people." As has already been stated, this is a government of the people by the people. They elect their representatives to make their laws, and the laws thus made by the will of the majority are the rules of action for the government of all. Departments of government.-Our government is divided into three departments: the LEGISLATIVE, or law making; the JUDICIAL, or law defining; and the EXECUTIVE, or law enforcing departments. The legislative branch of the government makes the laws, and prescribes the punishments that may be inflicted when they are disobeyed. The courts determine by legal forms and evidence whether the laws have been violated, and the executive officers carry out or enforce the decisions of legislation and the sentences of the courts. All the officers of the government, whether legislative, judicial, or executive, must act in conformity with the constitution, and are themselves, as much as other citizens, the subjects of law. As our grand constitutional government affords the citizen protection in life, liberty, reputation, and property; as under it he may worship God according to his sense of duty; may What is meant by a rule of action? By prescribed? What is the supreme power in many countries? What is our government called? Define it. Who make the laws? May laws be changed? How? How many, and what are the departments of our government? Define the legislative department. The judicial. The executive. To what must the officers of these departments conform? Why? speak as he wishes; print and publish what he pleases, and vote for whom he prefers as public officers, the question arises what shall he do for the government in return for all these, and many other inestimable privileges? Duties of citizenship.-Rights, as was stated in the discussion of the principles of the moral law, are always accompanied by corresponding duties. If we insist upon our rights as citizens, we ought willingly to perform all the duties that citizenship imposes. What, then, shall we do to become good citizens? Intelligence.-The good citizen should be intelligent; should be well acquainted with the history of his government, and the principles upon which it is founded. Our beautiful flag is the emblem of freedom all over the world: the oppressed look upon it with loving eyes, while tyrants hold it in utter detestation. It is the representative of free institutions, which recognize the inalienable rights of man, and is therefore odious to those rulers who have no sympathies with the masses of the people whom they govern. As we can not understand the value of a delightful, healthgiving breeze, and a pure draught of refreshing water, until we have been burned with the sun's fierce glare and tortured with feverish thirst, so we may not fully appreciate the blessings of our constitutional republic until they are contrasted with the customs and laws of those governments which do not recognize the principles of human rights. They who have suffered in their persons and property from the tyranny of despotic governments, can best understand the value of the freedom they possess in this. It is the duty, therefore, of every American to study the Declaration Review the advantages enjoyed under our government. What duties shall the good citizen return for all these advantages? To what do rights always correspond? Why? Why should the American citizen be intelligent? How is our beautiful flag esteemed? How do foreigners know the advantages of our land? What should be studied to understand our government? Why should we study the Declaration of Independence? |