(7) Each State is guaranteed a republican form of government by the United States, and protection against invasion, and (on application of its Legislature, or of its Executive) against domestic violence.[401] (8) The Legislatures of two thirds of the States may call a convention for amending the Constitution; but no amendment becomes part of the Constitution until ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the States, or by Conventions in three fourths of them, as the one or the other mode may be proposed by Congress.[402] In this procedure of amending the Constitution, the several States are equal. A proposed amendment may be ratified and become part of the Constitution by the approval of three fourths of the States irrespective of their respective area, population, wealth, or any other mark or quality.[403] Finally, both as conferring benefits, and as prescribing the fundamental limitations on the States and on the United States, the Constitution and the laws and treaties made in pursuance thereof comprise “the supreme law of the land,” and all officials “both of the United States and of the several States shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support it, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.”[404] The character of this supremacy of the “law of the land” is indicated in the Constitution itself: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”[405] The fundamental character of the limitations which this provision establishes is seen as it affects the common interests of life. These interests include domestic relations, ordinary business transactions, recognized by common law; the ownership, acquisition, administration, and distribution of estates; peace and good order within the State; schools and education; the erection and care of public highways; personal liberty, freedom of worship, freedom of speech and of the press. These and cognate interests are within the scope and power of the State, and not, unless control over them is specially delegated, within the scope and power of the United States.