ON

SELF-GOVERNMENT;

TOGETHER WITH GENERAL PLANS OF A

STATE CONSTITUTION,

AND A CONSTITUTION FOR A

CONFEDERATION OF STATES,

FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT;

ALSO,

TWO EXTRACTS, ONE FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA. THE OTHER FROM THAT OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

TO WHICH IS ADDED

THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF

THE STATE OF NEW YORK,

EXAMINED ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT. 1

Ry M A. Richter e Vantucke

"For he who values liberty, confines
His zeal for her predominance within
No narrow bounds; her cause engages him
Wherever pleaded."-COWPER.

"We have no strength except upon great principles."-ELIHU BURRITт.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY CROSBY & NICHOLS, 111 WASHINGTON STREET, AND OTIS CLAPP, 12 SCHOOL STREET.

PREFACE.

TO THE READER.

The idea of Self-government is one of those few great ideas, which lead mankind to personal and social perfection. We are endowed with reason, for the purpose of governing ourselves. This being the most difficult task which men have to perform, it will be only in a very remote time universally realised.

The following lines are written to show the practical working of this idea, and the consequences of losing sight of it. The idea of Self-government, is the main cause of all great social reforms and revolutions. We are indebted to it for all the good which we have derived from our Revolution. The perpetuity of this good depends alone upon a clear and general understanding of its influence on society. This understanding, nothing else, would promote.

August, 1847.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

Page

Self-government. Meaning of the word,

1

Republics in Europe. Self-governments in America,

1

Division of Self-government into Personal and Social,

2

Self-government acquired by Education, Instruction and Industry,

2

Personal Self-government, .

2

Social Self-government,

2

Education, examined in regard to the principle of Self-government,

3