Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-03-25
BILL OF RIGHTS.


& Declaration Of Rights made by the Repre-
n seaabied in fiji and free Cmee,stiOn; ,ohich
rights do pertain to them, and their Postcrity,
as Tie basis and foladatio. Of Government.
rUmammoasiy adopted, June l2th. i776
l. That all men are by nature equally free
and independent. aud have certsiu inherent
rights OF which, when they enter into state
of society. they Cannot, by any compact. de-
1prive or divest their pesterlty; namely. the
*cnj oy ment of life and liberty, with The means
&spf acquiring and posse ssinH properly, and plc.
puing snd obtaining happiness and safety
That adj power is vested ia, and conse.
RIestiy derived from the people; that M,gis-
6a,es are their trustees and servants, aad vt
all times ameaabie to them
IS. g. That government is, or ought to be, in
btiiuted tor the coinmoa benefit, protection,
And secura,y OF the people, nation, or comma.
nitys of all the various modes and forms OF 70.
We nmens, that is best which is capable of pro.
duclns the greatest degree of happiness and
zeafety, and is most ejectuai.y secured against
#the danger Of NAL adm oistratoD, add that.
Mwhen any governm nj snaN be found inscequate
III 10 these purposes, n majority of the community
B bath an in6ubl able, nnai,ensble, ard ,adefessi
q bic right to reform, alter abb sh il 10 such
manner as shalt be judged most conducive to
Ii the public veal.
4 That so man. or set OF men, are eutitied
60 exclusive or separate emplumen.s or privi-
leges from the community, Dat in consideration
OF public services; which not being descendt
bic, neither ought The Office. OF Magistrate.
d Legislator or Judge, to be hereditary.
S. That the Legislative add Executive pow
ers Of the State should be separate aud dis.
tinct from the Judiciary; and that the members
OF the two first may be restrained from Gppres
4 sion, by feeling and participating the burtheas
of the people, they should, al fixed periods.
be raGnced to private station, return into
8 tha body from which they were originally ia
ken, aud the vacancies supplied by frequent,
n certain, and regular elections, in which all or
any part of the former members, to be again
4 eligible, or ineligible, rs the law shalt direct.
That elections OF members to serve as
representatives OF the people, ia Assembly,
ought TO be free, and hat sll men, having sut
6cient evidence ct permanent common interest
II with. aud attachment 10, The community, have
the right OF suffrage, and cannot be taxed or
B deprived Of their property for public uses
without their own consent. or that their rep
reseotatives SO elected, nor Bound by any law
to which they have not, in like manner, as
scented, for the public good.
That all pow er OF suspendiDg laws. or the
execution OF laws, by any authority, With VI
y consent Ut The repress natives Of the people,
4 injurious TO their rights, and ought not to be
u exc rcIsed
g. That, in all capital or criminal prosecu
tons, man hath rght',o demand the cause
g and nature Qt his accusation, to be confronted
VI With the accusers and witnesses, to call tor ev
idence in his favor, and to speedy trial by az
impartial jury of bis Vicinage, without whose
Il unanimous consent he canaot be found guilty
nor can he he compelled TO give evidence
Il gainst himself; that man be deprived OF h's
liberty except BY the law OF the land, OF tue
q judgment Oh his peers.
9, That excessive bail ought not to be re
i CURED. nor excessive fines imposed, nor crue
8 and unusual pun shnsnt inflicted.
10 That general warrants, whereby an ON
Ger messenger may be commanded TO sesrci
suspected places without ey,dence OF y tao
committed, or to seize any person or person
not named, or whose offsnce IS not particular
4 ly described aud supported by evidence, arr
grievous and oppressive, and ought not to b.
granted.
IL. That, 10 controversies respecting prop
4 erty, and IN suits between man and man, ID
ancient Trial BY Jury IL preferable TO any Other
and ought to De held sacred.
To- That the freedom OF the press is one q
the great buiaarks OF liberty, and can neve
be rest,alned bat Dy despouc governments.
Is. Taat a well regulated mlhils, compo
sed uf the hoJy OF the people, trained to arm
Is the proper, nat,ara, ana safe defence OF
free State: that sssading armles, in tins
peace, should be avoided, as dangerous 10 h
cry; and that in all cases, the military shou
be under strict aubordinstlon 10, and governs
BY, The civil power,