CONTENTS THE STORY OF THE CONSTITUTION THE FOREFATHERS The English forefathers of America's first settlers were men of brave spirit. To appreciate rightly the Constitution of our own United States we should know well the story of these English forefathers' struggle for liberty; for out of their struggle grew our own independence. When the Puritans left England to come to America they left the common people of England struggling against the tyranny of the Hanoverian kings, and the struggle against them went on for years, both in America and in England. We do not always appreciate this. Too often we forget that when the Puritans, together with the Cavaliers of the south, gained Independence for the colonies, the common people of England rejoiced also. The Hanoverian family came to the throne of England in 1714. At that time, the people of England were angry with the behavior of that royal family the Stuarts - which had so long been ruling England, and they were determined to have a change. George, Elector of Hanover, Germany, was therefore called to the English throne at the death of Queene Anne,° the last of the Stuarts. George I knew little of England's people and less of England's history, customs and ideals. Indeed he could speak so little English that during his reign the country was ruled by his English advisors, rather than by himself. Fortunately, however, there was a Parliament, which represented the people well, and no harm was done by George I, who stood, at least, for the liberty of the people, rather than for the "divine right of kings and no rights for the common people," as had the recent Stuart kings. For a long time there had been associated with the King of England, a Council. King George, however, not being able to know what his Council might be planning, realized his need for some one person who should stand closer to him than a Council and upon whom he could depend as upon a personal friend. Consequently, as the direct outcome of the inefficiency of George I, the office of Prime Minister was created; and from that time every king of England has had his personal counsellor - the Prime Minister - whose rank is next to the king and head of the Cabinet, the Cabinet having been introduced during the reign of Charles I (a Stuart). The Cabinet consisted of a few strong men chosen by the King from Parliament; but George I brought about the custom of a Prime |