and the perpetuity of the government
itself, depend upon the manner in which the people discharge their
public duties. A man who habitually fails to vote and to take interest
in the political affairs of his country may be a good man, but he is
certainly a bad citizen.

To be a good citizen is to aid intelligently in giving the people good
government. For a man to hold himself aloof from politics, unless his
action is based upon conscientious scruples, shows his interest in
himself, and his lack of interest in his country.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Why does happiness depend upon the maintenance of rights?

2. How do persons _born_ under government agree to be governed by the
laws?

3. If the claims of people as to their rights conflict, how is the
difference settled?

4. What is meant by the phrase "common carrier"?

5. Is it right for men to hold aloof from public affairs because there
is corruption in politics?

CHAPTER XVII.

LAW AND LIBERTY.

Through law rights are secured, and the performance of some duties is
enforced. _Law_ is a rule of action, prescribing what shall be done
and what shall not be done. Laws exist for the purpose of securing the
rights of the people. The enjoyment of rights is _liberty_.

As the enjoyment of rights depends upon their security, and as they are
secured by law, therefore liberty is based upon law. Without law there
could be no political liberty, and the civil liberty of the people
would be narrow and uncertain. It may be said, therefore, that there
can be no true liberty without law; but laws may be so many and so
stringent that there can be no liberty. Liberty and _just_ laws are
inseparable.

Liberty and rights are of the same kinds, _industrial_, _social_,
_moral_ or _religious_, and _political_. The words "rights," "law,"
and "liberty" are full of meaning, and in a free country suggest ideas
of the deepest reverence.

ORIGIN.--The laws of the country are partly human and partly divine.
They were framed by man, but some of them are based upon the laws of
God. Some are of recent origin, and many are so ancient that their
beginning can not be traced. When men began, to live in society, they
began to make laws, for laws at once became necessary. Laws are
undergoing constant changes, as new conditions arise and new customs
prevail.

KINDS OF LAW.

The _moral law_ prescribes our duties to men, and also to God. It is
summed up and revealed i