half-Cantons being counted each as a half vote). The Cantons voting against the adoption of the Constitution were Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden (the original three), Luzern, Zug, Freiburg, Valais, and Appenzell (Inner). A decree of the Federal Assembly, May 28, 1874, after setting forth that the revised Federal Constitution had received both a majority of all the votes cast and the approval of a majority of all the Cantons, says, “That it is, therefore, hereby solemnly declared in effect, bearing date of May 29, 1874.” The Federal Council, on May 30, 1874, ordered the above decree, together with the Constitution, to be enrolled in the official collection of statutes of the Confederation, and the decree to be transmitted to the governments of the Cantons, to be published by them through posting up in public places. The Federal system thus established has many features which are strikingly like, as well as many which are almost as strikingly unlike, those in the system of the United States. The preamble, and Articles I. and II. of the Constitution, point out the aim and lay down the fundamental idea of the Confederation. IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD. The Swiss Confederation, desiring to confirm the alliance of the confederates, to maintain and to promote the unity, strength, and honor of the Swiss nation, has adopted the Federal Constitution, following: ARTICLE I.--The peoples of the twenty-two sovereign Cantons of Switzerland, united by this present alliance [then follow the names of the Cantons], form in their entirety the Swiss Confederation. ARTICLE II.--The purpose of the Confederation is to secure the independence of the country against foreign nations, to maintain peace and order within, to protect the liberty and rights of the confederates, and to foster their common welfare. The Constitution is divided into three chapters, embracing, respectively, seventy, forty-seven, and four articles, numbered consecutively throughout the whole. The chapters have subdivisions, with descriptive titles to the general heads. The first chapter is titled _General Provisions_, and covers a wide field. A literal transcript of the most important provisions of this chapter will be given. CHAPTER I.