The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-20 00:00:00, page 3

PHILADELPHIA, August 20.
We hear that the following is a COPY of the DECLA
RATION of RIGHTS puffed by the Convention
of this Rate.,
A DECLARATION of the RIGHTS of the inhabi
tants of the Rate of Pennsylvania.
I 0 "T" EI AT all men are born equally free and indepen
£ dant, and have certain natural inherent and unali
enable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending
life anl liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protesting pro
perty, and purlu&. and obtaining happiness and fafety.
11. That all men have a.natural and unalienable right-to
woilhip Almighty God according to the dictates of their own
corifci nces and understandings ; and that no man ought, or
of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or
ereCtor support any place of worship, or maintain any mi
nistry contrary to or zgainß his own free will and consent.
Nor can any man, who acknowledges the being, of a God,
be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen,
on account of his religious sentiments, or peculiar mode of
religious worship, And that no authority can or ought to be
vested in, or assumed by, any power whatever,, that Shall in
any case interfere with, or in any.manner controul, the right
of conference in the free exercise of religious worship.
111. That the people of this Rate have the sole exclusive
and inherent right of governing and regulating the internal
police of the fame.
IV. That all power, being originally inherent in, and
confcquently derived .from the people, therefore all officers
of government, whether legi^ive or executive, are their
trustees and servants, and aati& accountable to them.-
V. That government is,wrcu£,o be instituted for the
common benefit, protedio^ndjkurit'y of the people, na
tion or community ; and not or the particular emolument or
advantage of any Single man, family, or set of- men, who
are a part only of that community.. And that the commu
nity hath an indubitable, unalienable and indefeasible right
to reform, alter, or abolish government in such a manner as
ffiall be by that community judged, mod conducive to the
public weal.., , . .'
VI. That those who are employed in the legislative and
executive bufineis of the State, may.be restrained from op
pression, the people have a right, at such periods as they
nay think proper, to reduce their public officers to a private
station, and supply the vacancies by certain and regular
©k&ions,.
h#ve. I am ready, at any time, to- go with you through
every necessary difficulty or danger, and,! expert from you,
the fame disposition. Only confider the duty you owe to your
selves, to your families, and your country, and you need no
other inducements; when you ft rget these, which I think is
impoffibie you Should; every other will be in vain. And as a
necessary companion to your bravery,, I would recommend to
you, gentlemen, a ftrid observance of the discipline and duty
of a foidier. A true spirit of liberty is a spirit of order, th<re
can be no liberty preserved without order. The Englilh army
derive all their Rrengdi from a close attention to .discipline,,
with them it Supplies the want of virtue. In Short, gentle
men, though our cause is themoft n®ble that man ever fougut
to defend, yet bravery without order will not be fufficient-for
the work we have to dp ;as we abound in.the firft, let us add
to it the advantages of the lad, and with those united, under
the Smiles of Heaven, we have.no reason to fear a glorious
issue to our.righteous cause.
413
XV. That all men have a natural inherent right to emi
grate, from one state to any other that will receive them, or
to form.a new Rate in vacant countries, or in luch countries
as they can purchase, whenever they think that thereby they
may promote their own happiness.
XVI. That the people have a right to assemble together, to
c^t^for their common good, toinftruct their rep enta
apply to the legislature for redress of grievances
petition or remonßrance.
VII. That all elections ought to be free, and that al! free
men, having a fufficient evident common interest with and
attachment to the community, have a right to ele& officers,
or be elected into office..
VIII. That every member of society bath a right to be
protested in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property, and
therefore is bound to contribute his proportion towards the
expence of. that protection, and yield his personal service
when necessary, or an equivalent thereto ; but no .part of a
man's property can be jußiy taken from him, or applied.to
public uses, without his own consent or that, of his legal re-'
prefentatives : Nor can any man,- who is confeientioufly
scrupulous of bearing arms, be justly compelled thereto, if
he will pay such equivalent : Nor are the people bound by
any law but such as they have in like manner assented to for
their commomgood.
IX. That in all prosecutions for criminal offences/ a man
hath a right to be heard by himfelf and his council, to de
mand the cause and nature of his accusation, to be confronted
with the witnesses, tocall for evidencein his favor, aQatyeedy
public trial by an impartial jury of the countryJ^ Praline
unanimous consent of which jury he cannot be tail ^fo
nor can he be compelled to give evidence agal^Mbdrof,
nor can any man be justly deprived of his liberty, except
by the laws of the land, 'or the judgment of his peers.
X. That the people have a right to hold themselves, their
houses, papers, and possessions free from search or seizure ;
and therefore warrants, without oaths or affirmations firft
made, affording a fufficient foundation, for them, and whereby
any officer or messenger may be commanded or required to
search fufpeded places,.or to. seize any person or persons,
his or their property not particularly described, are contrary to
that right, and oughtnot to be granted.
XL That in controversies refpe&ing property, andin suits
between man and man, the parties have a. right to trial by
jury, which ought to be held sacred;
XII. That the people.have a right to freedom of Speech,
and of writing and publishing their sentiments, therefore,
the freedom of the press ought not to be restrained.
XIII. That' the people have a right to bear arms, for the
defence of themselves and the Rate ; and as Standing armies,
is the time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, they ought
not to be kept up. And that the military Should be kept
under ibid Subordination 1.0, and governed by, the civil
power.
XIV. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental prior
ciplcs, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, tem
perance, induftry,and frugality, are absolutely necessary to
preserve the bleftings of liberty, and keep a government free.
The people ought therefore to pay particular attention to
these points in the choice of officers and representatives, and
have a right to exact a due and constant regard to them, from
their legislators and magistrates, in the making and executing
such laws as are necessary for the good government of the
Rate..