FOR YOUNG AMERICANS. By CHARLES NORDHOFF AUTHOR OF "THE COMMUNISTIC SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED STATES," NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND THE SANDWICH ISLANDS," FORNIA FOR HEALTH, PLEASURE, AND RESIDENCE," ETC. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. BODLEIAN 25 MAR1954 LIBRARY TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS. In the following pages I have attempted to explain in simple language, and by familiar illustrations fitted for the comprehension of boys and girls, the meaning and limits of liberty, law, government, and human rights; and thus to make intelligible to them the political principles on which our system of government in the United States is founded. The book grew out of an attempt, in a few letters, to instruct my oldest son in the political knowledge which every American boy ought to possess to fit him for the duties of citizenship. I found my subject much larger than I at first imagined; but interest in the attempt led me on, and what was begun originally for one boy is here printed for the use of others. I have retained the familiar and direct style which one naturally uses in addressing a boy, because thus I hope more easily to interest young people in the subject. I believe that free government is a political application of the Christian theory of life; that at the base of the republican system lies the Golden Rule; and that |