Each male citizen was expected to be present. He could address the meeting, and vote on any matter that was brought up.

Thus, each citizen took part in the government himself, and not by a representative, thus making the government purely democratic.

The County System

The county system of government was used in Virginia. A body of leading men attended to the government of each county. They filled vacancies in their own body, and the people took little part in choosing them.

Other systems of local government were like each of the above in some respects.

Questions and Topics for Discussion

What were the three forms of government in the English colonies? Which form interests us especially? Why?

Describe the charter form of government.

What may be said about the independence of the people under the two other forms of government?

In what ways were the three forms of colonial government alike? Describe the town system of government.

Do you know of any places where the town system of government is now used?

What are they?

Why do we say that the town system of government is purely democratic?

Describe the county system of government.

In what way does the system of government in the town or city in which you now live differ from the government in the colonies?

In what ways are they alike?

LESSON XI

THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY

NOTE TO TEACHER. The following lesson is based upon the text of previous lessons, and may be taught in the nature of a review.

The seeds of democracy were planted very early in American history.

Before leaving this early period we will note what some of them were.

Self-Government and Obedience to Law

Before landing at Plymouth in 1620, the Pilgrims held a meeting in the cabin of the Mayflower.

They drew up a solemn agreement called the Mayflower Compact. By this compact they agreed to form a government among themselves.

The people were to make their own laws and obey them.

The Mayflower Compact which follows has been called the first written constitution in the world.

You will notice that the old English spelling is used rather than the spelling in use to-day.

The Mayflower Compact

"In the name of God, Amen: We, whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread sovereigne King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, King, defender of ye faith, &c., haveing undertaken, for ye glories of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith and honor of our king and countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe, by these presents,

solemnly and mutually, in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of ye ends aforesaid: and, by vertue hearof, to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equall lawes, ordenances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names, at Cape Cod, 11th of November, in the year of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."

Representative Government

In 1619 the Virginia Company invited the settlers to share in the government of the colonies.

Each of the chief settlements or boroughs, as they were called, sent two citizens to Jamestown to meet

with the governor and his council, to help make the laws.

This was the first representative assembly in America. It was called the House of Burgesses.

Later the English king granted charters to some of the colonies.

The people elected their own governor, and members of both houses of the assembly.

This plan of government is the same as that in our national, state, and many of our city governments of today.

Freedom of Religion

The Pilgrims and Puritans came to New England in order that they might have freedom to worship God as they thought right.

Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island, granted freedom of religion to all people in that colony. He taught that the government had no right to interfere with religion.

Maryland granted religious freedom to its colonists. William Penn gave religious freedom to the people of Pennsylvania.

Ownership of Land

Early in the history of our country the colonists were allowed to own land. On this land they built their own homes and raised food for their families.

This ownership of land bred the spirit of independence which is the life blood of Democracy.

Free Education

Many of the colonists had been educated in England. They knew the value of education.

They also wished their children to be able to read the Bible, so they might keep the religion of their fathers. So it was not surprising that one of the first thoughts of the colonists was of education.

In 1647 Massachusetts established free schools.

Connecticut followed the example, and later other colonies did likewise.

The education furnished by our public school system is an important foundation of our Democracy. It is necessary in order that our people may make laws and vote intelligently.

Thus our Democracy began with

Self-Government.

Obedience to Law.

Representative Government.

Freedom of Religion.

Ownership of Land.

Free Education.

These seeds of Democracy grew and flourished. In later lessons you will learn how and in what ways.

Questions and Topics for Discussion

Name the seeds of Democracy as given in this lesson.

Describe each. Which do you think is the most important?

Which of these principles of Democracy did you enjoy in your

native land? Which were denied?

Copy the list into your notebook.

Write a story based upon the above questions.