be expected that political power, in such hands, can be exercised with safety to the government, or with benefit to the community.

In the education of youth for the business of life, it seems almost to be forgotten, that they are ever to assume the duties of citizens-duties of paramount importance, on the due performance of which, their individual happiness, as well as the happiness and prosperity of the nation, mainly depends.

The following just and forcible observations, are from a late report of the superintendent of common schools of the state of New York. They are entitled to the consideration of every citizen of this republic:

"On our common schools we must rely to prepare the great body of the people for maintaining inviolate the rights of freemen. If the political fabric cannot find in the public intelligence, a basis broad and firm enough to uphold it, it cannot long resist the shocks to which, through the collision of contending interests, it is continually exposed. Forty-nine out of every fifty of our citizens, receive their education in the common schools. As they advance to manhood, they are, for the most part, devoted to manual employments. Looking to their own industry as their only resource, and to its fruits as the boundaries of their personal desires, the object nearest their hearts is to see their country prosperous, the laws administered with order and regularity, and the political importance, which the constitution has secured to them, maintained undiminished. The controversies to which conflicting interests give birth, are to be put at rest by their decision. In the questions of policy which are presented to them, constitutional principles are frequently involved, and the relation they bear, and may in all future time bear to the government, is directly or indirectly affected. How important is, it that their decisions should be as enlightened as they will be honest; that with every motive to be upright and conscientious in the exercise of their political rights, they should combine also the capacity to maintain them with independence and discretion! If they shall ever cease to bring to

the settlement of these great questions a sound and enlightened discrimination, they cannot fail to become the dupes of artful leaders, and their country a prey to internal discord. From the genius of our political institutions, popular education is our only security against present and future dangers. Ignorance is said to be the parent of vice. With us it would also be the parent of those fatal disorders in the body politic, which have their certain issue in anarchy."

In presenting this work to the public, the compiler intends to supply, in some measure, a deficiency that has too long existed in the course of education in this country. Several excellent treatises on the principles of government, and constitutional jurisprudence, have been published within a few years. But it is believed that of those which are intended as class books, none are, in all respects, well adapted to the use of our common schools.

But it is not for common schools exclusively, that this work is intended. It is believed that there are individuals in almost every family, who will find in it much valuable information to which they have not before had access.

The author has endeavored, throughout the work, to present each subject in a plain and familiar style; and it is believed the language will be found sufficiently intelligible to those who are of suitable age and capacity to be benefited by the study of this science. And he would here take occasion to remind the reader or student of the importance of referring to his dictionary for the definition of such words as he does not understand. Much of the advantage of reading is often lost, especially to young persons, by the neglect of this practice.

The questions relating to the several sections, are deemed useful in exercising the pupil. A few only are inserted, leaving it to the teacher to add such further interrogatories as he shall find necessary. Teachers will also find occasion to tax their own resources, in enlarging upon and illustrating the several subjects, which could not be fully treated, without swelling the work to an improper size.

Originality in a work of this kind is hardly to be expected.

Whatever of merit, therefore, may be awarded to this unpretending volume, is chiefly due to other and abler authors. Among the works to which the compiler is indebted, he would particularly mention,. Sullivan's "Political Class Book," Chipman's "Principles of Government," Duer's "Outlines of Constitutional Jurisprudence," and the invalua ble "Commentaries" of Story and Kent.

With the hope that this treatise, notwithstanding its im perfections, will be found in some degree useful, it is respectfully offered to the patronage of a liberal community.

Warsaw, Oct. 1835.

イ

TO THE

FOURTH EDITION.

Three editions of this work have been published, and disposed of principally in a few of the western counties of the state of New-York. Its favorable reception has induced the compiler to revise and essentially alter it, with a view to a more extended circulation. The former editions were designed more particularly for the state of NewYork: the present edition is adapted to the states in general.

The several clauses of the constitution are introduced in the order in which they occur in that instrument, and copied in full. They are made conspicuous by being enclosed in double commas; and the number of the article, section, and clause is affixed to each. Thus, although the several clauses are separated from each other by intervening commentaries, any part of the constitution may be readily referred to.

It will be seen that similar subjects occur in different parts of the work; and that reference is made from sections in one part, to sections in another, where the same subject is considered. The reader will, in most cases, be benefited by examining the sections referred to.

The science of Political Economy is an essential part of education, and is beginning to receive that attention. which its importance demands. Being nearly allied to the science of government, it was deemed proper to give the

subject a place in this work. Without a knowledge of this science, no person can perform, efficiently, the duties of a legislator, nor even those of a private citizen.

The treatises on economy which the compiler has consulted, are Smith's Wealth of Nations, and the works of Say and Wayland. He has not, however, on all subjects adopted the opinions of these authors.

It is to be remembered that this work is, as its title denotes, an "introduction" to political science, being intended to teach elementary principles, rather than to settle questions on which the most eminent statesmen and economists are divided. Most of these controverted questions have therefore been avoided. The few, however, which have been introduced, have been freely discussed; and antagonist reasons have been stated, that the political student may be enabled to form intelligent opinions on subjects of public concern. It was considered inexpedient to keep altogether out of view those arguments which he will hereafter be called to meet in the discharge of political or legislative duties.

It has been a prominent object of the author, to impress upon the public mind a due sense of the value of our republican institutions, while he has endeavored to illustrate clearly the principles upon which they are founded. If the attempt shall prove successful, he will consider his labors amply rewarded. And he indulges the hope that this volume, in its amended and improved form, will be acceptable to the public.

June, 1840.