Article II of the Constitution fixes certain qualifications for President of the United States, the executive head of the Nation; provides the manner of the election of the President and the Vice President, confers certain powers and duties, provides that the term of office of President and Vice President shall be four years, and designates the causes for which they may be removed by impeachment. Article III of the Constitution provides for courts and judges, and fixes their jurisdiction—their power—and gives direction as to trial and penalty in certain cases. Thus we find that the Constitution guarantees a National government (a republican form of government), confers certain powers formerly held by the people, provides an executive to enforce the powers granted, a legislative body to make laws under which the powers may be exercised, and establishes courts to construe and apply the laws enacted, to the end that human rights and liberties shall be protected. Let us carry in our minds this picture of the people of the colonies, who through generations had struggled with royalty to secure the blessings and liberties for which they had come to the New World. In the local government of the colonies much had been done to apply the principles of liberty, but in their relation to the mother country they had endured abuses and sufferings, which finally in 1776 found expression in the Declaration of Independence. In an effort to unite their strength they had formed a federation of the thirteen States, but their dreams of a free country were not realized until in the Constitution they had formed the “more perfect Union” which was created to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”. Now let us bear in mind that the people reserved much of their power, which under the plan of government adopted was to be used in their respective States under Constitutions and laws expressing the will of the people with relation to their domestic affairs. At our next meeting, we shall consider briefly something of the Constitutions of the States, where they come from, and the wonderful purpose they serve in carrying out the scheme of the people in actual self government. ELEMENTARY QUESTIONS 1. Why are the individual guaranties of the Constitution so important? 2. What is meant by legislative power? 3. In whom is the legislative power of the United States vested? 4. When and how was the Nation formed? 5. What is a partnership? How is it usually formed? 6. From whom did the United States obtain its power? 7. State the terms of service of: (a) the President, (b) Senators, (c) Representatives, (d) the Vice President? ADVANCED QUESTIONS A. Tell some of the powers conferred by the people upon the United States. B. Into what departments does the Constitution separate the powers of government?