Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-01-28
mn or RIGHTS,

I'LL Of nun D.
A Decnation ofRighis made by me Representa-
fres oflhe good People Of VIRGINIA. 7sstn.
hLd in fan and free Convention; achich 'igdb
J"n,rtat,, 10 them, and their Poterity, as the
bo,i, and foundation of Government
.utnan,mousy adopted, June l2th l1id
That all men are by nature equally free
Independent aud have certain inherent rights
~ which. when they enter into "A stale a socIr.
~ they cannot, by any compact deprive or
dives, their posterlty namely, the enjoyment
Of If. aud liberty, with the means of acquiring
Il possessing property, pursuing & obtaining
happiness and safely
. That all po~eri vested IN, and consequent
10 derived FROM the people that Magistrates
are their trustees ann Servants anu d. MI 'ihfs
,,nenabIe to them
2. That government, is or ought 10 I've, in'iin
,sd for the common benefit, projection and So
curity Of the people nation, or community ::
.of ali the vafious modes and forms OF govern
,nent thai is best which is ca able producing
the greatest degree oil nappi"ess ana shtiy o.
i mos, effectualy secured against the danger
Standardization; Il that when any govern
nenl shall be found mad, q ate or cpnsary
10 these purposes, a majority o tue communl'y
hath an indubitable, andl"nab =, and lndetea.
sible right to reform, alter OF abolish 1t IN such
manner ss shall be judged mos; conducive 10
the public veal. 80
a That no man, Oh se' of men, are entitled
,,e,clu.iy. or seperate emo uments nf privile.
90. from the community, but IN CONSIDERATION
Of pubic services, winch not being decensble,
osi,he1 ougt the Office Of Magistrate, Legs
oislaior, or Judge, to be hereditary.
g. That the Legislative aud Executive pc" er
Of the State should be separate and distinct
from the Judiciary and that The members Of
the Two fist ma, be restrained from oPpressi' n.
by feeling and par icipating the burthens Of
the people, they should, at liked periods, be
reduced 10 private sta''o", return INTO thht
hodv from which tney were originally taken Il
the vancirs be supplied by frequent, certain,
and regular elections, IN when all, or any
mart of the iurDeT members TO be AGAIN eligible
or Negligible as the laws shsil direct.
Il That ELECTIONS of member, TO serve as rep
rsspntatives of the y .ope, in Assembly, ought
10 be free and that all men, ha'ns sufficient
evidence OF permanent, common interest win
& attachment 10 the community, h we The rigat
of sufrrasp aui cannot he tax d or deprived of
their property for public uses. ''llh"ut treIr
own consent, oT nat OF their rep esaniatlvps,
SO e!ectel, nor bound by any law 10 which hey
have not, in like manner asstnted, Tor the
public good.
7 That all power of suspendlng laws. or the
execution Of laws, by am authority. without
consent Of the representatives OF The people, 10
injurious to their igh,s, and ought not to be
exercised.
8 That, in all capital or criminal prosPcu
tions, a man hath right TO demand thu cause
and nature OF his accusation, Ia be confIoned
with the accuseT. AID witness $, by an impar-
ta jury uf ais vcinRge, ihou whose unanr
nous consent ne cannot b" found gull y; nor
can he he compelled 10 CIV" evidence Hgains
himself that no man be deprived of his lber.
", excep by IN" law ofine lanl, or the judg-
ment al his peers.
.. That excessive bail ought moi to be re.
quired, nor r1Cesslye fiups imposed nor Cruei
and unusual punishment. inf cIed.
10 That general warrant, whereby an Off
Ger OF messenger may be commanded TO search
suspected places. wthou' evidence ola fact
committed, n SEIZE any person or perseas
ia I'D, or not whose of nee is no particularly
des rbed and supported by evidence, ara
gilrv rs and oppressive, and ought not 10 he
graz.
IL That, in controversies respecting pro-
peItr, AID in suits between man aud man, the
ance", irai by jury is preferable TO any other
aud ought TO be held sacred.
~ Jha che freedom OF the press is one of
che great buwarks Of liberty, and can never
De re.lralned but ny despotIc governments
ID. That well regulated militia, composed
oftae body of the people, trained TO arms, is
ihe proper, natural and safe defence oil a Iree.
State that standing armies. in times ot peace,
should be avoided, as dangerous 10 liberty
and thai in all cases the IN hilary sh0ul be I'M
der suict suDordiuation 10, and governed by,
the civil power.
IA. hat the people have a right 10 uni
form government; and, tharefpre, that no
government separate from, or independent %
the government of Virginia, ougnt to be
sod a ,na thora
OF.
10. Thai M free government, or the blessing
oil liberty, can be preserved 10 any people, but
oy a hrn adherence 20 justice, modera alton
temperance, frusaiiy, aud virtue. and by
frequent recurrence TO fundamental prlncl.
pies.
10 That religion, or the duty which we o re
10 our Creator, and the manner of dscharging
H. Tan he directed only by reason and convIc
'nn' net ny iorce or violence AMI therefore
AL men are equally entiled 10 the free exercise
"' rt1gIon, according to Inc dictates of con-
science and that II is the mutual duty of all TO
pfhchse Chris ian torbeal ance, love, and
CHARITY wards eacn 9th r.
I'M AMENDED CONSTITUTION,
BORN OF GOV ERNMENT FOR VIRGINIA.
ddepted January IAN, 1880
Nne'ea', 'ne Deegat-s and Repre- Sent ativps
OF the gooJ people OF Virginia. IN Convention
dsss'n''ed, on the i"en,y ninth day oi jane,
IN 'le wear OF Quar- Lord one lsand seven
nuoH ed aud >eSeaty-siA reclting and deciar-
ing that "h"reas, Gep,se me third, King of
"a AT Britain and Ireland and Elector of
Hanover, before hat lime entrusted with the
exercise OF the ldngly Office in The Government
oil Virginia, had endeayoured 10 perveri the
same INTO deies able and insupporrabe tyran'
NY .! putting his egatise on laws The most
w"o''s'm' ami necessary for the public good
by d"nyins mis- Gav4fu,r ,ermission 10 pass
laws "f lhiuedlate ani pres,ing impor IA nee,
"nless suspended ~ her operation for his a,
sent wne so ,u'pended.npge ling 10 attend
10 mem i'r man year. by refusing to pa.s
ceta" ne laws. uurss the persons 10 he
hene ID by th.n, ,uu,,II .Is ..,..A1i-