Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-01-27
BILL OF RIGHTS.


VIRervIt. assembled IN fill and free
C9aseafog: aoticb rights do pertain 20
them. and their PJStsrlty. as Tee 0aS''
and Foundation Of Government.
Unanimously adopted, June l2ih, ITO
1. That all men are by nature equally
free and independent, aud have cer'''"
inheren. rights, of which, when tney en-
ter INTO q state of society, they cannot, by
any compact deprive, or d'rest th ,..
po,,erty namely, the enjoyment oi i''e
AMI liberty, with the meaus Of acquiring
aud possessing property, and pursuing
and obtaining happiness and safety
2. That aR power IS vested ln' ana
consequently derived fsn, the people ;
thar Magistrates are their trustees ana
servants, and at all times amenablc TO
them.
,. That government rs, or ought TO be-
instituted tor the common benefit pro-
lection and security of the people, nation
or community; of all the various modes
AID forms OF government, that Is best
which is capable of pro1GcIng the great
est degree of happiness and safety, and
Is INST etfsoul.ly secured aga.nst the
d.~q.- of malajiun,strahon; and that
v3el cnv g0yerImeu, shall be found on
ADEQUATE or contrary 90 these purposes,
a majority of .ha commnmt hath an ne
dIaraale. ulalealh'e ald mde.eosio.a
r..r. % reforn alter or abolish D., 90
sIrh nd1ael ass shah He judged most con
ducuyst o. the public veal
4. That l1 mll. or sat of men, are en-
Titled 90 -v ius.va or separate emo.u-
rslts or privileges from the community.
On. in consideration of public service;
winch not beng lescanhbie. neither olgA
tna 1h'7s Of Magistrate, Legislator, or
Judge. fY be- lered arY.
D TAatt1e Legislature and EeXecduve
powers Of me Sac should be separate aud
d.suact from the Judiciary; and that the
m4n1ers ofths two FIRST may be restrained
from oppression, by feeling and participant
ing .ba burlhens Of the people. tney should
al fixed periods be reduced 20 a private
station. re.ura INTO that body from which
they we're or ri1ally taken. and the va
cunoies Doe supplied bv frequent, certain,
and regular elections n winch All, or an'
part o., the former members, TO be again
ehg,e, or ineligible, as the law shall
dlrec,
8 Thatelecuons of members to serve
as representatives of the people, IN Assem-
biz. ought % be free; and that all men hav-
ing 1fiaeot evidence Of permanent COM
mou interest with, aud attachment to, the
community, have the right Of suffrage, and
cannot be taxed or deprived OF their pro-
pe-tg for public uses, without their own
consent, or that Of their representatives so
eIecte nor bound by any law TO which
they have not, in like manner, assonted,
for che public good.
2 That an power Of suspendng laws
or th execution ofhws, by any authority
without consent of the representatives o.
tbs PEOPLE. is injurious TO their rights onC
ought not 10 be exercised.
= That, DO an capital or criminal pro-
secuuoas, a man hath a right to demand
tn cause and nature Of his accusation, tC
be confronted with the accusers and WIT
nesses. to- call for evidence 10 his favour
aid toa speedy trial 10y an impartial jury
ofhis vicinaCe. without whose unanimous
consent he cannot be found guilty; nor car
he he compelled 20 give evidence against
himself that no man be deprived Of hl+
liberty except by the law of the land or the
Judgment fhis peers.
Q Traf excessive bail ought not To- be
required. nor excessive fines imposed, hol
cruel 5ra unusual punishment inflicted.
30 rha. c,eerol warrants, whereby au
of6ccr-or messenger may be commanded
80 search inspected places without evl
dence Of q fact committed, or 10 seize ans
person or persons not pamet, or whose
offence is not particularly described an,
supported bY evidence. are grievoUs AND
op1ress.ye. and ought Uo' % be granted.
NJ. That. io controversies res Getting
property. and ir sUts between man and
man, the ancient taj by jury, is prefera.
ble 10 any other, aud ought to be held
sacred.
u. Tnat the freedom of the press ~ one
Of the great bulwarks Of liberty, and car
never be restrained but by desPohc govern
ocrs.
IL. That a well regulated militia, com
posed Of the body Of the people trained e
arms, Is the proper, natural, and safe GO
fence OF a free State; that standing armies
IN time Of peace, should be avoided, a.
dangerous 10 liberty; and that m all cases,
the military should be under strict subor-
dination to, and governed by the civil
nnWnr.