Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-26
DILL OF RIGHTS.

DILL OF RIGHTS. 'u
a Declaration IF Rights made by the Representatives.
ofthc good People IF Iirgtaia, assembled IN full
then, and their pos.eriiy, he basis mud fhunda
tiDn II Government
Unanimously adopted. Juno 18th, 1875
{. q'hat all men arc by nature equally FREQ and
independent, aud have certain inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into state of society they
cannot. by any compact, deprive divest their pos
tcrity; nomey, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means Of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaiAing happiesss and safety
2. That ali power is vests<ts6, and consequently
derived fom the people; that Magistrates their
tSustecs and servants, and atsll times ernenablc to
them. o ds.,.H Ugt
5. That government is or ought to be. instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security Of
the people, nation community: of all he various
modes and forms OF government, that best, which
capable Of producing the greatest degree OF hap
piness aud safety, and is most effectually secured
aGunst the danger of nul-administration; and that
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority of the commit
nifty hath ndubtablc, unaenaoe, and indefeasible
right to REFORM alter, or abolish it, in such manner
shall be Judged most conducive TO the public veal
a. That no man, or set of men, arc entitled To sx-
elusive separate emouments or privileges from
the community, but IN consideration OF public serVi
ces; which not being descendable neither ought the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary.
5. That the Legislative and Executive powers of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and that the members of the two first may
bs restrained from oppression, by feeling and partic
Pating the barthens of the people, they should, at
fxed periods be reducsd to private station. return
into that body from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent certain,
md regular elections. in which all any pa of the
former members, to be again eligible. ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
s. That elections of members to serve rcprescn
tatves Of the people, in Assembly, ought to he free
aud that all men, having sufficient evidence of per-
upanent common interest with, and attachment To-,
the community, have the right Of suffrage, aud
not be taxed or deprived of their property for public
uses. without their consent that of their
representatives. elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in like manner, assented, for
the public good.
=. That all power of suspending laws, or the cx-
ection of laws by any authority without consent of
tho representatives OF the people, il injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
o. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions o
an hath a right to demand The cause and nature OF
his accusation TO be confronted with the accusers
ind witnesses, To call for evidence in his favor. and
TO speedy trial by impartial jury of his vicinage
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; can he be compelled to give evi-
dence against himself that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land the judg
nrcnt of his peers
0. That excessive bail ought not to be required
NOR excessive fines imposed, cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of fact committed, or TO
seiZe any person or persons not named whose Of
Ghce s not particularly described ard supported By
evidence, grievous and oppressive, and ought not
TO be granted.
IL. That, in controversies respecting properly y,
dfid in suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other, and ought to be
Held sacred
ls That the freedom of the pross is one of the
great bulwarks of liberty, and Gun never be restrain
ed but by dcspotic governments
10. That a well regulated militia, composed of
the body of the people, trained to arms, the pro-
per- na ural and safe defence of free State; that
standing armies, in time of peace, should he avoided
as dangerous to liberty and that iI all cases the
military should be under strict subordnaton to- and
governed by, the civil power.
II. That the people have right to uniform rov-
crnmeni and therefore, that government separate
from or Independent of, :he government of V,,;gjn
a. ought to be urected established within the lin
re thereof
Is. That no free Government, or tho blessing Of
Iihorty can be preserved to any people, but by n
firm adherence TO justice, moderation, tempera nco
iingaity and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles
10. Thut religion, or tho duty which 80 owo TO
Our Creator, and tho manner of dischsrging it, can
DO directed only by reason and conviction, not by
f0Tce or violence nnd therefore all men ure equally
Quilted to the free exercise Of religion according to
the dictates Of conscience and that il is tho mutual
dny Of oil TO practice Christian forbearance love g.
charity towards each other