Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-02-11
THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration Of Rights made by the Repre-
sentatires of he good People Of VIRGINIA, as
sen.bied IN FIJI and free Conuention; ,chich
riebts do pertain TO them, and their Posterity,
as Tie basis and foundation Of Government.
TUasnimously adopted, June 18th. T7e
I. That all men ave by nature equally free
and indie pc ndent, and have certalu inherent
rights of which, when they enter into stsse
sfsocicty. they cannot, by any compact, de.
priye or divest their pssterityi namely. the
enjoyment Of life and liberty, with the means
eli acquiring and possessing properly, and par
suing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2 That all power is vested m, and conse
quently derived from the people; that Msgis-
trates are their trustees and servants, and ut
ell times smenabie TO them
8. Tha, government is, ought to be in
sti,uted for the common benefit, protection,
ard security of the people, nation, or conmu.
nifty; of ell the Vari Gus modes and forms OF go.
vernmenf, that is est. which ia capable OF pro
ducing the greatest degree of happiness and
safety, and is most eFectu,lly secured agsins,
the dsagey OF NAL administration; and that,
when sny government shall be found inadequate
20 these purposes, majority OF the community
hath an indubi'sble, unalienable, and lndefeasi
bic right to reform, sl,er Or abolish il in such
manner shall be judged most conducive to
the public veal.
4 That no man, o, set efmen, are entitled
90 exclusive or separate emoluments or privi-
ieges from the community, but in consideration
ofPabc services; Which not being descend'
bic, neither ought the Offices OF Magistrate,
legislator or Judge, to be hefedi'rry,
s. That the Legislative and Executive pow
srs # the State should be separate and dis
tinct from the Judiciary; and that the members
OF the TIVE FIRST may he restrained from sppres
slob, by feeling and participating the Surthe0s
of the people, they should, At fixed periods.
be rednced TO q private station, re urn into
thai body from which they were originally ts
ksu and the yscsucies supplied by frequent,
certain, and regular elections in which all or
any part of the former members, 10 be again
eligible, or Ineligible. ~ the law shall direct.
6 Tkst elections of members 10 serve as
representatives of tho people, in Assembly,
ought 10 be Tree, and that ell men, having sui
hcient evidence eft permanent csmmoninterest
with. aud suschmeRt TO, the community, have
The right of suifrsge, and cannet be taxed or
deprived of taelr property for public uses.
without their own consent. or that their rep.
resentsuves so elected, nor bound by any law
10 which they hsve not. in like manner. 40.
scented, for the public good.
2. Tnat all power OF ssspending laws, or the
execution OF laws, by any authority. without
consent of ihs representatives of the people, is
injurious to their rights. and ought not to be
axe rcised
That. in all capital Or criminal prosecu.
tionS, man hath right to demand the cause
and nature OF his accusation, to be confronted
with the 2ccusers and wi,ne sses, to call for ev-
i3snce ir his favor, and to speedy trial by an
impartial jery of his vicinage, without whose
unanimous cOnsen, he cannot be found guilty;
nor oen be hs compelled to give evidence a.
gainst himself; that no man be deprived Of h,s
liberty except by the law of the land, or the
Judgment Of his pecrs.
9. rhs' excessive bail ought not to be re.
quired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an Off.
Ger OF messenger may be commanded to search
suspected places without evidence of fact
committed, or to seize anv person persons
not named, or whose offence IS not particular
ly described and supported by evidence, are
sr'evous and oppressive, and ought aotto be |
granted. |
IL. That, in controversies respecting prep.
erty, and IN suits between man and man, the !,
sncien, trial by jury is preferable 10 any ether.
and ought to ba held sacred.
IL. That the freedom OF the press is one Of !
the great buiwarks of liberty, and can never |
DC restrained but by despoue governments
ID That we'll regulated militia, -compe-
8 OF the body Of the people, trained To arms,
IS The proper, natural and safe defence of |
Tree otatei thAt Nsnain6 armies, m time of
peace, should be avoided, as dangerous to lib
eriyi and that in all cases. the military should
be under strict authorization to, and governed
by, the civil power.
II thst the people have right to tinifsrn
and, therefore that no government
separate from, or independent of, the govern-
neni OF f'rstRSG, oughtto be erected or es,ab.
iisheG within the limits thereof.
is. Ihatao free government, or the bless.
NC 81 !|cry, can be preserved to any people,
be- - h,fn adherence to justice moderation,
'empefaace, irugality and virtue, and by fire.
l1eot recurrence to Fundamental prrnciples.
10. That religion, or the duty which we owe |
. e''s Cater, end the manner of dischsrging |
! can be directed oa!y by reason and convic.
len, net by force and violence; and therefore ,
III men are equally entitled to the free exercise
It rciIyiop, according 10 the dictates of con. a
ciencei and that II is the mutual duty Of all 10
'rsctise ChrsEan forbesrsnce, love, and char. !
J toSsr'ls eseh other. IL
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION,
N FoEM CT GOVERNMENT Tor VIRGINIA.
1A@sp'edp January Ath, 1902 |.
Whereas 3 lie DELEGATES and RenrAsertat;r..