Written constitutions in this country probably arose from the fact that the charters granted to the colonies and securing to them privileges, were in writing.  And these written charters themselves grew out of a practice prevalent in England of securing the rights of towns and cities by written charters wrung from the king.  Some general charters of liberties, too, had been secured.  Among these may be mentioned the charter granted by Henry I. in 1100; the Magna Charta, or great charter, wrung from King John in 1215; and the Petition of Right, the Habeas Corpus Act, and the Bill of Rights, secured in the seventeenth century.

Some of the charters granted to colonies were so liberal in their terms that they were adopted as constitutions when the colonies became states.  The charter of Connecticut remained its constitution till 1818.  And even in 1842 it was with difficulty that the people of Rhode Island could be prevailed upon to give up the old charter for a new constitution.

Their Contents.—­The state constitutions are very much alike in their general characteristics.  After a preamble, setting forth the purpose of the instrument, they usually contain a bill of rights, intended to secure personal liberty and other personal rights.  They then distribute the powers of government among three branches or departments, and provide for the organization and general procedure of each.  Then follow miscellaneous provisions, relating to franchise, education, amendments, etc.

Their usual defects.—­We have flourished so wonderfully under our system of government that we naturally have a great reverence for our national and state constitutions.  So far has this feeling gone that a large number of people seem to fancy that there is some magic in the very word constitution.  As a consequence state constitutions are usually too long; they contain too many miscellaneous provisions.  Most of these relate to transient or petty matters which, if made affairs for public action at all, should be left to legislation.  Changes in the constitution weaken our respect for it.  Rarely should anything go into that great charter which has not stood the test of time, unless it has the promise of endurance as a necessary safeguard of the rights and liberties of the people.

BILLS OF RIGHTS.

These usually assert or guarantee the following: 

Republican Principles.—­That governments are instituted by the people and for their benefit; that all persons are equal before the law; that no title of nobility shall be granted.

Freedom of Conscience.—­That there shall be perfect religious freedom, not, however, covering immoral practices; that there shall be no established or state church; that no religious test shall be required for the performance of any public function.

Freedom of Speech.—­That any one may freely think, and publish his opinions, on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of this right.