Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-17

nd onte 18TH day OF January IN TINS present year
1880, adjourn sine die-and do direct that the said
amended Constitution form of Government for this
Commonwealth, shall! be published once week Tor
hrce successive months, together with TINS proca.
nation, in such newspapers as by advice OF Council
were directed to publish the Act of the General
Assembly OF Virginia. to organize Convention
Given under my hand as Governor. and under
5SEAL.l the seal of the Commonwealth at Rich
mond, this 18th day of January, 1880.
VIM. B. GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights made by the Representatives
ofNc good People Of Virginia, assembled an jIti
oEd free Contention; ,rhich rights do pertain 10
neot and their pos,eriiy, as he basis and J"unda-
Unanimously adopted, June I2,h, I776
|. That all men by nature equally tree ana
Independent, and have certain Inherent rights, o.
which, when they enter into state OF society, they
cannot, by any compact deprive or dvest their pos
teEity namely, the enjoyment OF life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring and possessing property,
aud pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
Q. That all power is vested in, and consequently
derived from, The people; that Magistrates their
trustees and servants, and at all times alnennbc to
them.
). That government is, or ought to be, Instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security OF
the people, nation or community OF all HE various
modes and forms of government, that is BEST which
is capable of producing the greatest degree OF hap
pincss and safety, and is most efcctualY secured
aEainst the danger of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority OF the coCinu
Iy hath indubitabc, unulcnable, and indefeasble
right, reform, alter, abolish it, In such manner
shall be Judged most conducive TO the public wee
4. That man, set of men, arc entitled TO eX-
elusive separate emoluinents or privileges from
the community, but i'll consideration of public serv
ces; which not being descendable, neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary.
s. 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
he restrained from oppression, by feeling and partcl-
plting the burthens of the people, they should al
fixed periods. be reduced private station, return
into that body from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
and regular elections, in which ALL any part of the
former members TO be again eligible, or lneigloIc,
US the laws shall direct.
c. ThOt elections of members to serve as represen-
tatives Of the people, i'll Assembly, ought TO be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence Of per-
Iuanept common interest with, and attachment to-
the community, have the right of suffrage, and
not be taxed deprived OF their property for public
,.uses without their own consent or that of their re-
representatives. so elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in ike manner, assented, fc;
she public good.
T. That all power of suspendipg laws, or the ex-
ecuton of laws, by any authority without consent OF
tie representatives of the people, is injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
8. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions,
hath right to demand the cause and nature o.
his accusation to be confronted with the accuser:
and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor anC
speedy trial by impartial jury of his vicna &c
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can ne be compelled to give Gvi-
dGnce against LinlseE that be deprived of
his liberty except BY the law Of the land OF the judg
ment of his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not to be required,
excessive fines imposed, cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted
10. That general warrants, whereby officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of a fact committed, or
s.niva o-yn nntp vIOSa Of
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
evidence grIevous and oppressive, and ought not
20 be granted
II. That, in controversies respecting property,
and in suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and ought 10 be
held sacred.
IL. That the freedom of the press is one of the
great buiwarks ofliberty and never be restrain
cd but by despotc governments.
10. That well regulated militia composed Of
the body Of the people, trained to is the pro-
per, ural and safe defence of free State; that
standing armies in time Of peace, shou be avoided,
dangerous to liberty; aHd that IL all cases, the
military should be under strict suboTdinution to, and
governed by, the civil power.
IA. That the people have right to uniform GOV
ornmcn; and therefore, that no government separate
from, Independent of, The government Of Virgin.
al, ought 10 be erected established within the lin
It's thereof.
10. That no free government, or the blessing OF
liberty can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence TO justice, moderation temperance,
lrugaiy and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to
Fundamental principles
lG. That religion, the duty which owe to
our Creator and the manner of dlscharglng it, can
be dlctcd only by reason and conviction, not by
force violence; and therefore all men equally
entitled to the free exercise Of religion, according to
the dictates Of conscience; and that it is the mutual
duty Of all to practice Christian forbearance, love g.
charity towards each other.
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
on
Form Of Government for Virgiaia.
adopted January Nth, 1901
NYhcroasthe Delegates and Representatives Of the
good people of Virginia, in Convention assembled on
the twenty nnth day of June in the year Of our Lord
tlocsand seven hundred and seyentysix: recitng
mud declaring that whereas. Georrp the tlrd. KING