\Self`-gov"ern*ment\, n.
1. The act of governing one's self, or the state of being
   governed by one's self; self-control; self-command.
2. Hence, government of a community, state, or nation by the
   joint action of the mass of people constituting such a
   civil body; also, the state of being so governed;
   democratic government; democracy.
         It is to self-government, the great principle of
         popular representation and administration, -- the
         system that lets in all to participate in the
         councels that are to assign the good or evil to all,
         -- that we may owe what we are and what we hope to
         be.                                   --D. Webster.