Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-01-28

'entatioss q the good People Of VIRGINIA, as.
senlbted ss tiu and free Generation; ,ehic.
ID Tsghts DO pertain to them and their Pos;sritv.
as the basis and Foundation # Government.
81 ~ s"m"osly sdJp.s1 JAM l7,h. I776l
II 1. That all men are by nature equally free
#and Independent, and have certain Inherent
Rirhts, of which, when they enter into a state
vi society, they cannot, by any compact. de-
&prve or divest their posterity; namely. the en-
w%JoyrnOnt ofhfe and liberty, with the mean. of
cquiring and possessing property, and pur-
Nuia5 and obtaining happiness and safety.
# x mar all power Is vested in, and conse-
Aucntly derived from, the people; that Magis-
trates are their trustees and servants, and at
al times amenable to them
N s. That government is, or ought to be, in
fhtuted for the common benefit. protection.
and security of the people, nation, or commu-
Ilty: oil al Tue various modes and forms of
government, that is best, which is capable of
producing the greatest degree of happiness
ana safety, and is most eifectlallv secured a
galnst the danger of INSTRUMENTATION: and
/ that, when any government shall be found in
) adequate 10 these purposes, majority of the
y community hath al indubIta5le, unalienabie,
and indeinasIble right, to reform, alter, or a.
b7lsh IT, In such manner as shall be Judged
mot conducive to The public veal
a. That no man, or set of men, are entitled
to eAclIaoo or separate emoilments or privi-
le.5es rom the community, but in censidera-
ton OF public services; which not being de-
scendlble, neither ought the Offices of NIagis-
trate, Legislator, OF Judge, to be hereditary.
S. That the Legislative and Executive
= movers Of the State should be separate and
ci'u"ee rom the "3'ciary, and that the mem
bars OF the two first may be restra;ned fro,a
hG aal,s IL
burfhens Of the people, they should, at fixed
pe.lods, be reduced 10 private station, re-
turn INTO that body from which they were orr
gnaly taken and the vacancies be supplied
by frequent, certain, and regular elections, in
which ali, or any part Of the former mem
bers. to be again eligible, or ineligible. as the
laws sliah direct
s That elections Of members to serve az
representatives Of The people, In Assembly,
olg1t 10 be free, and that all men, having
sufficient evidence Of permanent common in
terest with, and attachment to, the communi
~, have the right Of suffrage, and cannot be
taxed or deprived Of their property for public
uses. ~Itheat their own consent, or that Of
their representatives. SO elected, nor bound
by amy law TO which they have not, in like
manner, as>ented, for the public good.
z. That all power of suspending laws, or
y
ont consent Of the representatives Of the peo-
pie, is injurious to their rights, and ought
not To be exercised.
g. That, in all capital or criminal prosecu-
tons, man hath right to demand the
cause and nature OF his accusation, TO be con-
fronted with the accuseYs and witnesses, to
Cell Tor evidence in his favor, and to a speedy
trial by an impartial jury Of ilis vicinage,
Without whose unanimous consent he cannot
be found guilty; nor can he he compelled to
give evidence against himself: that 10 man be
deprived Of his liberty except by the law OF
the land, or the judgment OF his peers.
9. That excessive hail ought not to be re-
qiired, nor excessive fines imposed, ner cru
el and unusual punishment inflicted
10. That general warrants, whereby an of
ficer or messenger may be commanded
10 search suspected places without evidence
of fact committed, or to seize any person or
persons not named, or whose offence is not
particularly described and supported by evil
dence, are grievous and oppressive, and
ought not 70 be granted.
II. That, IN controversies respecting prop
crty, and 10 suits between man and man, the
ancient tiial by jury is preferable to any 9th
or, and ought TO be held sacred
=, "A That tic freedom of the press is one o
Wc great n5iWafts % 6S---ts, and can never
cc hNstLdihNh oot ~ ucspouC governments.
IS. That q well regulated militia, compo
sed Of the body of the people, IL L to arms
iS-tte proper, natural, and safe defence of
free Sate, that SHADING armies, in time O
peace, should be avoided, as dangerous Il
hoerty; aud that in all cases, the militar
should be under strict subordination to. an,
governed by, the civil power.
IA. That the people have right to uniform
government; and therefore, that no govern
meat separate from, or independent Of, tn
government Of Virginia. ought to be erecte
OF established within the limits thereof
10. That no tree government, or the BILE.
elDg of liberty, can be preserved to any pee
Is, but by firm adherence to justice, mos
e,stion. temperance, frusshty. and virtue, an
b, frequent recurrence to fundamental pru
eli lies.
10. That religion, or the duty which "
owe TO car Creator, and the manner Of di
charging it. can be directed only by reass
ana CONVICTION, not by force and violence; al
therefore all men are equally entitled to I
free exercise OF religion, according 30 the ii
tates Of conscience: ana that it is the mutt
dsty Of all 10 practise Christian forhearanC
love, and charity towards each other.