Part 55 (1/2)

8. What is a Const.i.tution? Answer--” The principles or fundamental laws which govern a State.” Another definition is: ”The body of rules and maxims in accordance with which the powers of sovereignty are habitually exercised.”

9. Is the Const.i.tution of North Carolina the highest law?

Answer--No; the Const.i.tution of the United States, and the laws of the United States pa.s.sed in pursuance thereto, are the supreme law.

10. Is the Const.i.tution of North Carolina higher than the Acts pa.s.sed by the General a.s.sembly? Answer--Yes; acts contrary to the Const.i.tution are null and void.

11. Who decides whether acts are const.i.tutional and binding or not? Answer--The Courts.

12. Give a simple explanation of the Const.i.tution of North Carolina. Answer--It is a written doc.u.ment in which the people of North Carolina have laid down their plan of government of the State. It designates what officers are to make the laws, what officers are to interpret the laws, and what officers are to enforce the laws. It lays down laws for the guidance of these officers. If any officer acts contrary to it he is liable to punishment: It is the organic or fundamental law--the foundation stone on which our State government rests. It guards and enforces the liberties of the people. If officers are allowed to disobey it, our liberties will be in danger. Hence every citizen should understand it, so that he may watch the officers and hold them to their duties.

13. Can it be changed? Answer--Yes; the people of the State can change or amend it. The manner in which the people can change it is prescribed in the Const.i.tution itself, as will be seen hereafter.

14. Can it be changed in any other way? Answer--Yes; if an amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States, contrary to any provision of the State Const.i.tution, is made according to law, the latter must yield.

PREAMBLE.

1. Who made the Const.i.tution?

2. For what purpose was it made?

3. Is there recognition of G.o.d in it?

4. For what blessings is grat.i.tude to G.o.d expressed?

ARTICLE I.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

1. For what purpose is this declaration made?

2. What fundamental truths are declared? Section 1. * (NOTE-- Most of the language of this section is taken from the Declaration of Independence).

3. In whom is political power vested? Section 2.

4. For what good is government inst.i.tuted? Section 2.

5. Who has the right to regulate the State government? Section 3.

6. Under what circ.u.mstances can the people change the form of government? Section 3.

7. Are the people under any restrictions in changing the form of government? If so, what? Section 3.

8. Has the State the right to secede from the Union? Section 4.

9. Is the American Union a confederacy of States, or a nation of the people of the States? Section 4.

10. Is this State bound to prevent other States from seceding from the Union? Section 4.

11. Is our allegiance first due to the United States or to North Carolina? Section 5.