The Government Class Book

ociety, and for Civi

with each other. Indeed, such is their nature, that they could not be happy without such association. Hence we conclude that the C

t and preserve his own being. We can hardly imagine how a person could procure the necessaries of life without such assistance. But men have the gifts of reason and speech.

ded by the labor of all, many, depending upon the labor of others, would be less industrious than they now are. By the present arrangement in society, which obliges every man to

ommon stock for the use of all, there would be nothing that any one could call his own. But if e

htfully do so any further than is consistent with the rights of others. Hence we see the necessity of some established rules for securi

s a rule of action, and is applied to all kinds of action. But in its limited and proper sense, it de

are fitted by nature for government and laws. Man is also a moral being. The word moral has various significations. Sometimes it means only virtuous,

y, his morals are good, or his morals are bad. And of an action, we say, it is morally right, or it is morally wrong. Man's having a moral nature impli

right and what is wrong; and to know that they ought to do what is right and to forbear to do what is wrong. Their reason enables them to understand the meaning of laws,

ople of a state or nation. A nation, or state, is a large number of persons united under some form of government; as, the French nation; the British nation; or the state of New-York

be governed by certain established rules and principles; and the governing of the people of a state or nation according to these rules, is called civil government. The word government also signifies the rules a