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The States must approve or refuse to approve of any amendment to the Federal Constitution which is suggested by the Congress. The American people cannot amend their Constitution unless the legislatures or conventions of at least 36 of the 48 States vote their approval. This means that any 13 States can defeat an amendment to the Constitution.

When the Federal Government needs help in time of national danger it may call on the militia (National Guard) of the several States.

In general the States make and enforce most of the laws which apply directly to the protection of the lives and property of citizens, except from dangers which may extend across State lines from other States. Because citizens in general have citizenship both in one particular State and in the United States, they are protected by both the State and Federal Government and owe loyalty to both.

HOW THE STATES COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER

The 48 States also work together. They live as 48 large neighbors who depend on one another for many things. This is very important for every citizen who lives in any State. The court decisions, laws, and records of your State are equally binding in every State of the Nation. The United States Constitution provides that:

"Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State."

If the States did not cooperate in this way, a marriage performed according to the laws of your State might not be recognized in another State. And a title or deed to property in your State might not be accepted in another.

People can move from one State to another freely. For example, if you move from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, you may be sure that the State of Massachusetts will not place higher taxes on your income or your property than it places on the income or property of its own citizens

under the same conditions. The Constitution provides that:

"The citizens of each State shall be entitled to

all privileges and immunities of citizens in the
several States."

However, a State may require you to live there for a certain length of time before it gives you a right to vote or hold office.

If a criminal crosses from one State to another, the second State, on request of the governor of the first State, will usually send the criminal back to the State in which he committed the crime. In this way States cooperate in enforcing State laws.

Sometimes when neighboring States have a problem in common they join and work as one group. For example, those States which sometimes are flooded by the waters of the Mississippi River have joined together to try to solve their common problem. As another example, New York and New Jersey worked together to improve the conditions of the port of New York.

HOW THE STATES, COUNTIES, CITIES, AND TOWNS COOPERATE

You learned earlier that cities and towns get their authority from the State. In some States cities are allowed almost complete freedom in establishing their own government. The counties also get their authority from the State.

Sometimes the State cooperates with the towns or counties in such matters as supervising education, building roads and public buildings, and caring for the poor and sick.

The State offers to local units of government and to citizens its system of courts to which they can bring their disputes for a fair trial. In some cases it helps to keep the peace in local communities.

The local government units often cooperate with the State in enforcing State laws. The counties, towns, and

cities help to collect taxes for the State. They have charge of elections at which State officials are chosen.

SUMMARY

Our Nation, the 48 States and thousands of smaller units help one another and depend on one another. Because of this the many parts of our country are drawn closely together into one whole. They make "a more perfect union” wherein the people rule. This cooperation makes it possible for us to move from one State to another without inconvenience or loss.

In 1918 the House of Representatives of the United States adopted a short statement drawn up by William Tyler Page, Clerk of the House, which it called "The American's Creed." We cannot give a better summary of the ways in which American Government cooperates for the common good than by quoting it. Read it in Figure 56, then discuss its meaning in your class group.

THINGS TO DO

Complete each of the following:

1. Four of our government units which cooperate are:

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2. Three ways in which the Federal Government cooperates with the 48 States are:

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3. Three ways in which the 48 States cooperate with our Federal Government are:

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The American's Creed

I believe in the United States as a Government of the People, by the People, for the People; whose Just Powers are Derived from the Consent

of the Governed; A Democracy in a Republic; A Sovereign Nation of many Sovereign States; A Perfect Union, One and Inseparable; Established upon those Principles of Freedom, Equality Justice, and Humanity for which American Patriots Sacrificed their Lives and Fortunes.

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I Therefore Believe it is My Duty to My Country to Love it; to support its Constitution; to Obey its Laws, to Respect its Flag; and fo defend it Against All Enemies.

William Tyler Page

Figure 56

The American's Creed

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4. Three ways in which the 48 States cooperate with one another are:

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5. Three ways in which the States cooperate with their counties, cities, and towns are:

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6. Three ways in which the counties, cities, and towns cooperate with the State are:

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immunities-privileges which let people be free of certain obli

gations or requirements.

indivisible-not possible to be separated or divided.

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