Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-04-11
Facts for Young Men.

There are many matters OF history, not ~
tie school books, which every youth should
Araw. ForinStance, the formation and growth
q the National Union.
.ifter the Declaration Of Independence, the
States adopted form Of government, on the
oh Il July, lT7s, entitled Articles OF Con-
federation and Perpetual Union between the
S..,ss Of New Hampshire. Massachusetts, Bay
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Con-
rs,ticu., New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva-
ma Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Car
DINA. South Carolina and Georgia, "-lS IN all.
Article l. The style Of this C1nfederaey
sAall be. "The United States Of America
AT, . Each State retains is sovereignty,
freedom, and independence, and every power
jurisdiction, and right, which IS not oy - tniS
confederation expressly delegated 20 the Uni
tcd States in Congress assembled
Aria The said States hereby seyeraly enter
into a 6ru, league Of friendship with each other
C,r their common defence, the security Of their
Ii6erties. and their mutual and general welfare;
b;pdinq themselves TO assist each other against
al force offered to, or attacks made upon them,
or any Of them, on account Of religion, soyer-
eighty, trade, or any other pretenee whatever
There were 10 articles in oil. There was no
Senate, but the 5th article provided that No
State shah be represented in Congress by less
than two, nor more than seven members, &c.
The Confederation was not deemed strong
enough for national defence, and Convention
was assembled at Philadelphia, composed Of
delegates from each Of the States, at which
Gen. Washington presided, and reported on the
18th September, 1889, Constitution OF the
United States. The preamble suecinctly states
the object Of the new government:
I'VE. the People of the United States, in or
der to form more perfect Union, establish
Justice. insure domestic tranquility, provide for
The common defence, promote the general well
fare. and secure the blessings Of liberty to our
selves and our posterity, do Ordain and estab-
li,h this CONSTITUTIONS for the United States
Of America
What could 10 more impressive in language
20 denote a high and noble object
By this Constitution three distinct depart
meuts Of government were formed, the execu-
tive. legislative, and judicial.
The Senate to be composed Of two members
from each State, large or small the House OF
Representatives Of members according to num-
bcrs. but each State to have at least one.
The thirteen original States which adopted
tie Constitution are named. There are now
Mirty-ssrsn States, the new ores admitted as
follows: Vermont, March 4, 1871 Kentucky,
June l, 1892; Tennessee, June l, 1896; Ohio,
November 29, 1902; Louisiana, April s, 1912;
Indiana. December II, 1916; Mississippi, De-
cember 10. 1917; Illinois, December 8, 1918;
alabama, December IA, 1919; Maine, March
IS, 1920; Missouri, August 10, 1921; Ar
kansas. June IS, 1886; Michigan, January
20. 1887; Florida, March 8, 1916; Texas,
December 90, 1915; Iowa, December %,
1876; Wisconsin, Nay 90. 1888; California,
september ., 1850 Minnesota, May IL, 1858;
Oregon, February y, 1859, Kansas, De
rru,ber 8. 1859 West Virginia, December 81,
1862 Nevada, October, 1864; Nebraska,
February q, 1857.