PREFACE Of the whole number of pupils who can study Civil Government with profit more than nine-tenths are in the upper classes of the grammar schools and in the lower classes of the high schools. In these classes there are nearly two million young people who can be led into a just appreciation of the rights and duties of citizens. Here is a rich field for the sower, an opportunity vast in its proportions for improving the quality of American citizenship and elevating the American electorate. The aim of this little book is to help those teachers who are trying to give the masses of their pupils sound and systematic instruction in Civil Government: it is intended for use at the top of the grammar school or at the bottom of the high school. Its primary aim is not to teach facts. You cannot start young people on the road to good citizenship by gorging their minds with facts about government. The primary aim of the book is to establish political ideals and to indoctrinate in notions of civic morality. In the first few lessons (Lessons I-V) the pupil studies the little world in which he moves and has his being. takes a peep at his own moral nature and he studies the governments of the home and of the school. Then he takes up the great subject of citizenship (Lessons VI-XI) and learns of civic rights and civic duties. Lessons XII-XV He treat of the powers of government. In these four lessons the great underlying principles of our government may be learned, and while studying them the pupil ought to catch something of the spirit of American government. "The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life." With Lesson XVI the pupil begins to study the forms and workings of the larger governments. Lessons XVI-XX are given to local government, Lessons XXI-XXVI to State government and Lessons XXVII-XXXVI to the National Government. The subject of Taxation is treated in Lessons XXXVIIXXXVIII. In Lessons XXXIX and XL the subject of Party Government receives attention. Will the general teaching of Civil Government in the schools tend to elevate the citizenship of the masses? It will if a lesson in Civil Government is made a lesson in political ethics. Good citizenship is an affair both of the head and of the heart, and training in citizenship must quicken the conscience as well as inform the mind. In the preparation of this book this truth has never been lost sight of. Wherever it has been practicable I have tried to help the teacher to combine instruction in Civil Government with instruction in morals. Washington, D. C. S. E. FORMAN. Self-Control-Self-Control can be Cultivated-The Reward of Husband and Wife; Marriage-Parents and Children-The Duties of Parents to Children—The Rights of Parents in Re- PAGE Civil and Political Rights-The Right to Personal Security— The Right of Religious Freedom-The Right of Freedom of Speech-The Right of Freedom of the Press-The Right of Assembly-The Right of Petition-The Right of Protection in the Home The Right of Due Process of Law-The Right CITIZENSHIP: DUTIES OF CITIZENS A Few Words about Duty-Obedience to the Law-Defense |