SECTION IV.—GUARANTIES TO THE STATES.
The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government,[1] and shall protect each of them against invasion,[2] and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.[3]
[1] That is, the United States will protect each state against one man or a few men who may try to usurp the functions of the state government. By inference, the United States could insist upon a republican form of government even if the people of the state desired some other. Happily, no necessity for the exercise of this power has yet arisen.
[2] This would have been the duty of the general government, even if this provision had not been made. To defend the country against invasion is one of the principal duties of government. The government was organized "to provide for the common defense."
[3] To "insure domestic tranquillity" was another reason given for the establishment of the constitution. But lest the general government should make every little disturbance a pretext for interfering with the local affairs of a state, it was provided that no interference should occur until asked for by state authority.
Pertinent Questions.
If a judgment is secured against a resident of New York and he moves to Minnesota without paying it, could he be held responsible in Minnesota without another suit? Is a marriage ceremony performed in Illinois binding in Kansas?
Define citizen. Can a person be a citizen of the United States without being a citizen of any state? Could he be a citizen of a state and not be a citizen of the United States? A certain southern state imposed a tax upon commercial travelers not residents of that state; was the act constitutional? What is the Civil Rights bill, and why was it passed? Can a citizen of any state claim in another state any privileges peculiar to the state from which he removed?
How is a "fugitive from justice" secured when he has escaped into another state? Is a governor obliged to surrender an escaped criminal upon demand of the authorities of the state from which he escaped? How is a criminal secured if he escapes into another country? Name countries with which we have extradition treaties. Have we any with Canada?
What were the provisions of the fugitive slave law?
Did the articles of confederation provide for the admission of new states into the union? Name the first state admitted into the Union. The last. What territories are now seeking admission into the sisterhood of states? How does a territory become a state? What advantages are gained by becoming a state? Is congress bound to admit new states? Can congress compel a territory to become a state? Can it compel a state to remain a state? Is there such a thing in our system as a state out of the Union?
What does a citizen of the United States lose by moving into a territory?
Does the constitution define a republican government? Is any particular department charged with the duty of guaranteeing to each state a republican form of government?
When did the United States protect a state against invasion? Against domestic violence? Have any states been admitted into the Union more than once?