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CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

CHAPTER I.

Of Civil Government and Laws.

§ 1. GOVERNMENT, in a general sense, signifies direction, or regulation. When applied to mankind, it means the exercise of authority by one or more persons over others, in controlling or regulating their conduct. A parent gives directions to his children for the regulation of their behavior. He commands what they are to do, and forbids what they are not to do. In giving and enforcing his commands and prohibitions, he is said to govern his family. So the government of a teacher consists in causing his scholars to observe the rules he has prescribed for their conduct.

§ 2. But the kind of government which is to be described in the following treatise, is called civil government; being that which regulates the actions of persons, as members of civil society. Any number of persons associated in any manner, or for any purpose, is called a society. But none of those associations which are usually called societies, are what is understood by civil society.

§3. The term civil society, is applied to the people of a country united for the purpose of government, under written rules and regulations, and who, thus united, constitute a state or nation. Hence it does not properly apply to the people of savage or uncivilized countries, who, though they observe certain customs, have no fixed system of written rules for their government.

§ 4. Civil society may be said to exist only where the people are in a civilized state, or state of social improvement. By civilization and social improvement is meant, refinement of manners and progress in knowledge. Whereever the people enjoy the benefits of learning and the means of improving their social condition, or of making themselves

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