FOR YOUNG AMERICANS. BY CHARLES NORDHOFF, AUTHOR OF 99 66 THE COMMUNISTIC SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED STATES," NORTHERN 99.66 CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND THE SANDWICH ISLANDS,' CALI- Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 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 |