The Arkansas advocate., 1836-01-15

l Iodfaff q Schedule t0sAe Constitatioa.--Messrs Marshall, Walker of Hempslead, Lacy, Dickinson. Biscoe, McCamy, McLain, Wilson of Lafayette and Drew. ~'N
 On ue Mlitia.-Messrs Fowler, McKean. Clark of Chicot, Ringgod and Whncry.
 MT. Walker of Washington, from the committee to draft Declaration of Rights. submitted the following report, which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:
 "The Committee to whom was referred the subject of preparing Declaration of Rights for the future State of Arkansas, having had the same under consideration. respectfully submi! the following Report:
 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. l That the great and essential principles of Liberty and Free Government may be re- cognlzed and unalterably established, WE DECLARE
 That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and lndefeasible rights, amongst which are those ol enjoying and defending life and liberty of acquiring, possessing and protecting pro- Pefty and reputation; and of pursuing their own happiness.
 That all power is inherent in the people; and all free Governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, satety and happiness. For the advance ment of these ends, they have, at all times. an unaienable and indefeasble right to al- ter' reform or abolish thelr Government, in such manner as they may think proper.
 That all men have natural and indefea- slbe right to worship Almighty God accor- ding to the dictates of their own conscien- ces; and no man can of right be compelled 10 attend, erect or support any place of wor- ship, or 10 maintain any ministry, against his consent: That no human authority can. in any case whatever, interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be gwen to any religious establishment or mode of worship.
 That the civil rights, privileges or capa- cities of any citizen shall in no wise be di- mnished or enlarged, on account of his re- ligion.
 That all elections shall be free and equal.
 That the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate
 That printing presses shall be free to ev- cry person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the Legislature, or of any branch of Government; and no law shall ever be made to restrain the rights thereof The free communication of thoughts and opinions IS one of the invaluable rights of man; and every citizen may freely speak, write and print, on any subject-bei..g res- ponslble for the abuse of that liberty.
 In prosecutions for the publication of pa pers Investigating the official conduct of of ficers or men in public capacity, or where the matter published is proper for public in- formation, the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and in all indictments for libels. the Jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the Court.
 That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures and that no general warrants, whereby any officer may be commanded to search sus- pected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or per sons not named, whose offences are not particularly described, and supported by evidence, are dangerous 10 liberty, and ought not to be granted.
 That no free man shall be taken or im- pfsoned, CT dsse;sed Of his freehold, r. bertIes, or privileges, or oulawed or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judg- ment of his peers, or the law of the land.
 That in all criminal prosecutions, the &C., cused hath right to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have copy thereof; to meet the witnesses face to face to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and, in prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the country or district in which the crime shall have been committed and shall not be compelled to give evidence against him. self.
 That no person shall, for the same of 1 fence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.
 That all penalties shall be reasonable, and proportioned to the nature of the of fence; the true design of all punishment being to reform, not to exterminate man. kind.
 That no man shall be put to answer any criminal charge, but by presentment indict- ment or impeachment.
 That no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate. The es- tates of persons who destroy their own lives, or are killed by casualty, shall de- scend and vest as Tn case of natural death |