11. The people of North Carolina, with one accord, desire that such a spirit may continue to animate the American people. As they were the first of all the States to urge the independence of America, so may they ever be found sustaining the Constitution and the Union that guarantee its perpetuity. QUESTIONS. 1. What is said of the State at this period? What portion of this debt was considered an honorable burden? 2. How was a compromise effected in 1879? How does the State consider the unconstitutional debts? 3. What is said of the Presidential contest of 1876? What was the great issue? How had General Grant acted towards the Southern Commonwealth? What followed the seating of Governor Hayes as President? 4. What changes had been made in 1876 in North Carolina public officers? What appropriations from Congress has North Carolina received through efforts of her Senators? 5. Who succeeded Governor Vance? Who became Supreme Court Judges? 6. What mention is made of the public charities? 7. What tends greatly to the physical improvement of the State? What is said of North Carolina's mineral wealth? 8. What has retarded the State's progress? 9. What was the condition of this sectional feeling during the late Presidential campaign? What calamity befell the country on July 2d, 1881? How did the news of this event affect the whole world? 10. When did President Garfield die? What are the concluding reflections upon this great national calamity? 11. What is the sincere desire of every true North Carolina patriot? APPENDIX. REMARKS. The Constitution of North Carolina is an important instrument to the people of the State. It contains all the fundamental principles of our State government, and ought to be carefully read and studied by every citizen of North Carolina. In order that the boys and girls who study this history may more thoroughly understand the meaning and provisions of the State Constitution, a series of "Questions" has been prepared with great care by a distinguished citizen of the Commonwealth who is well acquainted with the subject. The pupils will become better informed on this subject if only short lessons are given to them for preparation. About one page of the text will be sufficient for a lesson if properly studied, and by this means a much greater amount of information will be retained than if larger space is rapidly passed over. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. PREAMBLE. WE, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of nations, for the preservation of the American Union, and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof, and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution: ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.