Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-02-18
BILL OF RIGHTS.


VIM. 3. GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights nude BIZ the Repre-
sentatires Of The good People Of 'vIRalsiA. US
sensJted IN fiau and free Convention, ,oLirh
rights do pertain to them. and their Posfeyifu.
as the bcsis aud foundation Of Government.
Cunaainousls adopted. June 18th. i776
|. That all men are by nature equally FREQ
and indepe ndcnt. and have ceraiu iaherens
rghis. of which, when they enter into = state
Of society. they cannot, BY sny compact, do.
pfivc or divest their pesteritys namely. the
enjoyment OF life and liberty, with the mcano
OF acquiring and possessing property. and pur.
suing and obtaining happiness snd safety
Q, 1hAtsii power is vested in, and conse-
qaen;ly derived from the people; that Magic,
trates are their trus,sea and servants, and 40
all times amenable TO them
3. That government 10, or ought TO BE- in-
stitutcd for the common benefit psOsectionp
and secnrity Of the people, nation, Or conmu.
nifty, of ell the various modes sad forms ofgo.
vernmeni, that 10 beat. which Is capable Of pro.
ducing the creates, degree Of happiness ana
safety, and Is most effec,usily secured againse
The danger Of NAL administration; and that.
when any government shall be found inadequate
to these purposes, majority OF the community
hath an indubis able, unalicnsbc, and indie feasi-
bic right to reform, alter or abolish il in such
manner as shall be Judged most conducive to
the public veal
4. That no man. or set Of men. are entitled
to exclusive or separate emoluments or privi-
leges from the comnnp,y. but in considesstion
ofpublic services; which no, being descend.
| bic, neither ought the Offices Of Magistrates
Legislator or Judge, TO be heredi.rry.
5. That the Legislative and Executive pow.
srs of the State should be sepsrate and die.
tinct from the Judiciary; and that the msmbers
OF the tvo FIRST may be restrained from cppTes-
sisn. by feeling and participating the busthens
Of the people, they Should, Of fsed periods.
| be re6nced 70 . private station. return into
thai body from which they were originally 10.
ken, and the vscsncies supplied BY trequens>
certain, and regular elections, in which ell %
any part Of the former members, TO be again
| eligible, or ineligible. ~ the law shall direct.
| 6. That elections OF members To serve -
| representatives. OF the people, in Assembly,
ought to be tree, snd that 81 msns having sut.
/ fcient evidence Of permanent common interest
/ with, and att achment 10. the community, have
the right Of suffrage. and cannot be taxed Or
deprived OF their property tor public uses
without their own consent. or that their rep.
| resentat,ves 30 elected, nor bound BY any law
to which they hsve not. In like MANNER -.
sentsd, for the public good.
| That ell power OF suspendisg laws. os tho
| execution OF laws, by any authority, withcus
consent OF The feprese natives ofthe people, u
injurious - their rights. and ought not . DO
4 che rcised
s. THAT, In all capital or criminal psosreu-
tions, . man hath right - demand the cause
| and nature of his accusat,ea, to be confronted
with the accusers and witnesses, TO call tor ev.
idence in his favor, and to speedy trial BY ~
impartial jury Of his viclnage, without whose
| unanimous consent he cannot nc found guilty ,
nor can he be compelled 10 give evidence ..
49, - -
liberty except by the law OF the land. OF the
judgment OF his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not u b re-
qn,re d. nor excessive zines imposed, nsr cruel
and unusual punishment, inflicted.
10 That general rasts. whereby m on.
Ger or messenger NAV b. commanded TO search
l suspected places without evidence Vt face
committed, or to seize any person or persons
not nsmed, OF whose .ff-rce Is not parsicuiar4
" described and supported BY evidence, are
gtievous and oppressive, and ought not t. be
granted.
IL. That, in controversies respecting prop.
erty, and in suits between man aad msp, the
ancient trial By jury ia preferable 10 any other,
| and ought to be held sacred.
l ~. That the freedom OF the press b one sf
tbs great buiwarks Of liberty, md csn 80 YER
be restrained but by despo,.c governments.
4 IS. That . well regulated militia, cemps--
SGD Of the body Vt the people, trained 10 s'ns-
10 tae proper, oatural and safe defence Of =
free State, that s,sndiug armies, in tine .
peace, should be avoided, - dangerous 10 lib
ersy; and that in all cases. the military should
be under strict suberdIzssioa 70, and governed
by, the civil power.
IL That the people have right 20 uniform
government; .aj ,thsrefos that no govesnmest
separate from, or independent Of, the govern.
ment Of Nrg,sia. oagh. to be- erected Or essab.
ilshec within the limits thereof.
IS. That no free government, OF the bless-
ing Of liberty, can be preserved to any people.
but BY firm sdhecnce % justice nsoderssions
temperance, frugsl'ty and virtue, and by free
qasnt recurrence 10 fundamental principles.
Is. That religion. o. the duty which We swe
to our Creator, and the manner OF disehargiaG
1 il can he directed only BY season snd eonvio-
tior, not by farce and vsslences and there fore
oil men are eqossly entitled to the free exerciss
Of religion, according TO the dos.iss Of COO
science; and thai IL IS the mutual duty 81 Ill !
practse Christian foebeafance, love. sndsk1
~ towards zach other.
| AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION.
Or roaM or oovsRNMEsT roR yiR0iy "A