CLAUSE II. “This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding."

637. What is declared in regard to the Constitution, and the Laws and Treaties made under it by the United States?

They are declared to be the supreme law of the land. 638. What provision is made in the latter part of the clause to secure this supremacy?

The Judges in every State are bound by them, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

639. Repeat Clause II.

CLAUSE III." The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States, and of the several States, shall be bound, by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

640. Who are required to bind themselves by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States?

The Senators and Representatives, the members of the several State Legislatures, and all Executive and Judicial officers, both of the United States, and of the several States.

641. Why are the legislators and officers of the several States required to bind themselves to support the Constitution of the United States?

1 important agency in carrying the Constitution of
- United States into effect.

542. Give an example in which the action of the State Govern.
its is necessary to the operations of the National Government.
The election of United States Senators depends, in
cases, upon the action of the State Legislatures.
343. What prohibition is made in regard to religious tests?
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualifi-
ion to any office or public trust under the United

ites.

RTICLE VII. RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.

The ratification of the Conventions of nine States ■ll be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution ween the States so ratifying the same.”

644. What was necessary for the establishment of the Constitu

?

Its ratification by nine of the States.

645. Would its ratification by only nine States have made it gatory upon the four other States?

It would not.

646. On whom would it have been obligatory in such a case?

Only upon the States so ratifying it.

647. By how many of the States was it at first ratified?

By eleven.

648. Which of the States did not adopt the Constitution till after ad gone into operation?

Rhode Island and North Carolina.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.

649. How are the first ten articles of the Amendments to be regarded? As a Bill of Rights.

650. What is a Bill of Rights?

A formal declaration of certain rights belonging to the people as individuals, and not delegated in forming the National and State Governments.

651. Is not the whole Constitution in the nature of a Bill of Rights?

It is. Most of the things, usually specified in a Bill of Rights, are either expressly provided, or tacitly implied in the Constitution.

652. Why was it thought expedient to make a more formal declaration on the subject?

On account of the extreme jealousy of the American people respecting both personal and political liberty.

653. What was one of the prominent objections against the adoption of the Constitution?

The want of a Bill of Rights.

654. What was done to obviate this defect?

Congress, immediately after the ratification of the Constitution, took measures for its amendment, by the adoption of ten Articles, which are almost entirely declaratory in their character.

ARTICLE I. FREEDOM OF RELIGION, &C.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

655. What is the first prohibition upon Congress in reference to the subject of religion?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

656. What other restriction is put upon Congress in regard to religion? It shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

657. How is Congress restricted in regard to the freedom of speech, and of the press ?

It shall make no law abridging the same.

658. How is Congress restricted in regard to the right of petition?

It shall make no law abridging the right of the people peaceably

ARTICLE II. RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall ot be infringed."

659. What is here declared of a well regulated militia?

It is declared to be necessary to the security of a free State.

660. What are some of the obvious advantages of maintaining the militia?
A certain amount of military organization among the people, and
large quantity of arms always in their hands.

661. By what means have usurpers commonly overthrown the liberties of a
Duntry?
By disarming the people, and maintaining an armed soldiery.

ARTICLE III. QUARTERING SOLDIERS ON CITIZENS. "No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any ouse, without the consent of the owner; nor, in time of war, ut in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

662. From what did this provision originate?

From the custom which has often prevailed in times of violence, f billeting soldiers upon private citizens, without regard to the rights convenience of the latter.

ARTICLE IV. SEARCH WARRANTS.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
apers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
all not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, but upon
robable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particu-
rly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or
ings to be seized."

663. What right is it declared in this article shall not be violated?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers
ad effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.
664. What is the only condition upon which warrants can issue?
No warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by
ath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
arched, and the person or things to be seized.

ARTICLE V. TRIAL FOR CRIME, &C.

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval orces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war, •public danger; nor shall any person be subject, for the me offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor all be compelled in any criminal case, to be a witness against Emself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without

due proce

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due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

665. What process is necessary before a person can be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime?

A presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury.

666. What class of crimes is exempt from this mode of proceeding? Cases arising in the land or naval forces.

667. How are such cases always tried?

By Courts-Martial.

668. When are offences in the militia tried by a Court-Martial?

Only when in actual service, in time of war or public danger.

669. Can a person who has been convicted or acquitted, be tried a second time for the same offence?

No person shall be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.

670. Can a person be obliged to testify against himself?

No person shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself.

671. What is the next provision?

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

672. What is the last provision?

Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

ARTICLE VI. RIGHTS OF ACCUSED PERSONS.

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law; and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence."

673. In all criminal prosecutions, what right shall the accused enjoy? The right to a speedy and a public trial.

674. By whom shall the accused be tried?

By an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.

675. What provision is made in regard to the district in which he shall be tried?

It must be in some district previously ascertained by law.

676. Of what has the accused the right to be informed?

Of the nature and cause of the accusation.

677. What right has he in regard to the witnesses against him? The right to be confronted with them.

678. What right is secured in regard to testimony and counsel ?

The right to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in