10. The government is therefore of a mixed nature, being partly national and partly federal. Federal signifies, united by a league or confederation, and implies that the members' have equal power. Such was the character of the old con federation; and some of its principles have been retained in the constitution.

11. Under the former, all the states were equally represented in the congress, the members of which were chosen by the state legislatures. So in the senate, the states are equally represented now; and the senators are also appointed by the state legislatures. In the adoption of the constitution, also, the states had an equal voice; and so they must have in amending it. In these cases the federal principle is preserved.

12. Again: In electing a president by presidential electors, each state having a number proportioned to its popula tion, the election is upon the national principle. But if the election is to be made by the house of representatives, each state has an equal vote: this is according to the federal principle. Hence the government of the United States is sometimes called the "federal government."

13. It may perhaps be asked: Why are so many governments necessary? Why not dispense with the state governments, and let the people of the whole nation be united in one great national government, like that of a state? Such a plan would be impracticable. A single government could not make all the laws necessary for so great a nation, nor manage its numerous affairs. Hence, the interests of large portions and of different classes of the people must be lected. Complaints and grievances would spring up in every quarter, and the government could not satisfy or redress them; and disorder and confusion would soon prevail throughout the republic, and perhaps result in bloodshed.

neg

14. Thus we see that our liberties are best secured by having the national territory divided into portions of conve

Whence does the general government derive its powers? 10. What twe principles are combined in the general government? What is federal? 11, 12. Wherein has the federal principle been retained? 13. Why might not the whole nation be under a single government? 14. How

nient size, with a government in each, and by binding them together under a strong national government, which shall keep each of them within its own proper sphere.

15. How highly favored the people who live under such a government as that which we have described! How dear should be the memory of those who achieved the independence of these states, and established the system of government which has conveyed to us, their descendants, the blessings of civil and religious freedom! And what a debt of gratitude is due to the Supreme Ruler of nations, for conducting a feeble and infant nation, through difficulties and dangers, to a state of unexampled prosperity and hap .piness!

16. With our patriot fathers, the great object was independence and liberty. With us let the question be, How shall our liberties be preserved? Whether the American people shall long continue to enjoy the blessings which our excellent constitution is capable of securing to them, depends upon what shall be the character and conduct of the people themselves.

17. A nation to be prosperous and happy, must be virtuus. A community may live under a free constitution, and yet suffer all the evils of a despotism. The people may be their own oppressors. Bad laws in a republican government, are no less oppressive than in any other. Where there is not virtue in the body politic, bad men will be elected to office, and bad laws will be made.

18. On the other hand, freedom may be enjoyed even in a monarchy. A wise and virtuous king will make good and wholesome laws; and his subjects may as truly enjoy civil and religious liberty, as the citizens of a republic. Freedom exists really wherever the laws are good, and where they are properly administered and duly respected.

19. The people must also be intelligent. In general, the

are our liberties best secured? 15. To whom are we indebted for all the blessings of good government? 16. On what does the continuance of our liberties depend? 17, 18. What is necessary to the happiness and prosperity of a nation? Can there be freedom in a monarchy? Where does it exist? 19. What are the effects of ignorance in a community!

freedom and happiness of a nation are in proportion to its intelligence. If people are ignorant, they cannot govern themselves. Indeed, they know not what their natural rights are. Besides, if they are not well informed, they are liable to be deceived by intriguing politicians, who seek power only to use it for selfish purposes.

20. Hence the necessity of vigilance also. As men in office are prone to abuse their power, they should be closely watched; and as they are but the servants of the people, they should be called to account for improper conduct: and the people must not suffer party prejudice to blind them to the errors of their greatest favorites.

21. If, then, we would continue a free and happy people, we must be intelligent, virtuous, and vigilant. Our liberties may be preserved; and they WILL be preserved, as long as the general diffusion of useful knowledge shall continue to be liberally encouraged, and the conduct of our citizens, in their social and political relations, shall be governed by religious principle, and a genuine and enlightened patriotism.

20. What is said in respect to the necessity of vigilance? 21. Wha then, must be done?

APPENDIX.

CONSTITUTION OF OHIO.

Done in Convention, begun and held at Chillicothe, on Monday, the 1st of November, A. D. 1802, and of the independence of the United States the 27th.

WE, the people of the eastern division of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, having the right of admission into the general government, as a member of the Union consistent with the constitution of the United States, the ordinance of congress of one thousand seven hundred and eightyseven, and the law of congress entitled, "An act to enable the people of the eastern division of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution and state gov. ernment, and for the admission of such state into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states, and for other purposes;" in order to establish justice, promote the welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish the following constitution or forms of government, and do inutually agree with each other to form ourselves into a free and independent state, by the name of The State of Ohio.

ARTICLE I.

1. The legislative authority of this state shall be vested in a general assemuny, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives, both to be elected by the people.

2. Within one year after the first meeting of the general as sembly, and within every subsequent term of four years, an enumeration of all the white male inhabitants above twenty-one years of age shall be made, in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of representatives shall, at the several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the several counties, according to the number of white male inhabitants of above twenty-one years of age in each; and shall never be less than twenty-four nor greater than thirty

six, until the number of white male inhabitants of above twentyose years of age shall be twenty-two thousand; and after that event, at such ratio that the whole number of representatives shall never be less than thirty-six, nor exceed seventy-two.

3. The representatives shall be chosen annually, by the citi zens of each county respectively, on the second Tuesday of October.

4. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and be a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant of this state; shall also have resided within the limits of the county in which he shall be chosen, one year next preceding his election, unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this state, and shall have paid a state or county tax.

5. The senators shall be chosen biennially, by qualified voters for representatives; and, on their being convened in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided by lot from their respective counties or districts, as near as can be, into two classes; the. seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, and of the second class at the expiration of the second year; so that one-half thereof, as near as pos sible, may be chosen annually forever thereafter.

6. The number of senators shall, at the several periods of making the enumeration before mentioned, be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the several counties or districts to be established by law, according to the number of white male inhabitants of the age of twenty-one years in each, and shall never be less than one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives.

7. No person shall be a senator who has not arrived at the age of thirty years, and is not a citizen of the United States; shal have resided two years in the district or county immediately preeeding the election, unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this state, and shall moreover have paid a state or county tax.

8. The senate and house of representatives, wher assembled, shall each choose a speaker and its other officers, be judges of the qualifications and clections of its members, and sit upon its own adjournments; two-thirds of each house shall constitute a .quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members.

9. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and pubBish them. The yeas and nays of the members, on any question, shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the jourrtale.

10. Any two members of either house shall have liberty to dis