Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-18
CONSTITUTION
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
4, rv,ssd in COnUentiOH, o. he 20tb
day Of October, a. p. 1882.

81
A.-,crr /. DEcLARArIoN 81 RleHIs.
IT., ,bs.gsneral, great and essential prinoi-
,IeS III liberty and free Government may
= r1ecognized and established, we declare:
src I. That all freemen, when they form
. social compact, are equal IN rights and that
no man, or setOf men, are entitled % exclU-
i've, separate public eTnoluments OF privileges
from the community, but Reconsideration Of
sc. 3. That all political power Is inher-
ent IN the people, and al free governments are
founded on their authority and established for
their benefit; and, therefore, they have at all
times An unaiienable and indeleasible right TO
alter or abolish their form Of government N
such manner as they may think exPedlent.
Src 3. The exercise and enjoyment of
,.ol;o-;ons profession and worship, without dis
-.r;T3ination shall forever be, free to all per-
sans Ri this State: Provided, That the right
hereby declared andestabEshed shall not be SO
ronstTued as to excuse acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
ar instify practices inconsistent with the peace
and safety of the State.
SEC. 4 No preference shall ever be CIV
en- by law to any religious sect or mode Of
worship.
SEC. 5. ThatnO person shall be molested
for his opinion on any subject whatever, nor
suffer any civil or political incapacity, or ac-
quire any civil or political advantagein eonse-
quence of such opinions, exceptin cases pro-
Vided for in this Constitution.
SEC. 6. Every citizen may freely speak,
write, and publish his sentiments on all sub
jects, being responsible for the abuse Of that
SEC. 7. No law shah ever be passed to
-curtail or restrain the liberty Of speech or Of
the press.
SEC. 8. In all prosecutions or indictments
for libel, the truth may be given IN evidence !;
and if il shall appear to the jury. that the mat
ter charged as libellous Is true, and was pub
lshed with good motives and for justiiable
ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the
jury shall have the right to determine the law
and the facts.
SEC. Q. That the people shah be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and possess
sions, from unreasonable seizures and search
es and that no warrant to search any place,
or TO seize any person or things, shall issue
without describing the place to be searched,
and the person or thing TO be seized, as near
as may be, nor without probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation.
SEC. TO- That in all criminal prosecutions,
the accused hath a right to be heard, by him.
self or counsel, or both to demand the ma
ture ard cause of the accusation; 10 be con-
ffronted by the witnesses against him; to have
"A compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
in his favor; and in all prosecutions by indict-
ment or infOrmations, speedy and public trial
by an impartial jury of the county where the
offence was committed that he cannot be
compelled to give evidence against himself,
nor can he be deprived of his life; liberty, or
property, but by die course of law.
Sec IL. No person shall be accused, ar
rested or detained, except in cases ascertained
by law, and according to the form which the
same has prescribed; and no person shall file
punished, but in virtue of law established and
promulgated prior TO the offence, and legally
applied.
SEC. IL. That no person shall, for any IN
'dictable offence, be proceeded against GRIMM
ally by information, except IN cases arising I'm
the land or naval forces or the militia, when
IN actual service, or by leave of the court, for
misdemeanOr in Office. 'f
SEC. ID. No person shall, for the same Of
fence be twice put in jeopardy Of life or limb,
nor shall any persons property be taken or
applied to public use without the consent Of
the Legislature, and without just compensation
being first made therefor.
SEC. IL. That all courts shall be open, and
every person for an injury done him in his
lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have
remedy by due course of law, and right and
justice administered without sale, denial or de-
9ay.
SEC. Is. That no power of suspending
laws shall be exercised, except by the Legis-
iature, or its authority.
SEC. Is. That excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cru
eel punishments inflicted.
SEC IL. That all prisoners shall before
Conviction, be bailable by sufficient securities,
except for capital offencesy where the proof is
evident or the presumption great; and the
privilege of the writ of hGbeGsCOrYlts shall moi
be suspended, uRless when in case Of rebel
lion or invasion, the public safety may require
at.
SEC. 16. That the person Of debtor
when there is not strong presumption Of fraud
shall not be detained in prison, after Delivering
up his estate for. the benefit Of his creditors
in such manner as shah be prescribed b
law. .esc
SEC. 10. No conviction for any offence
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture {
estate: the Legislature shall pass no bill I
attainder, eE post factO law, nor law impairin
the obligation Of contracts.
SEC. 90. Improperly qualification for el
aTIDlllLy 10 OuCS VI tOI TIC kABAS VI suit Is
shall ever be required by law in this State.
SEC. %. That the citizens hayea right
A peaceable manner, to assemble together f
their common good, and to apply 10 those YES
ed with the powers of government, for r
dress Of grievances or other proper purpose
bvpetition, address, or remOnstrance.
SEC. %. Every citizen has right to be
arms in defence of himself and of the Stat
SEC. "a. No standing army shall be Ike
mp without the consent Of the Legislature
and the military shall, in al cases, and at /;
times, be in strict subordinati0n to the ciV
power. 49, 81
SEC. 25. That no soldier shall, in time
peace, be quartered in any house. without q
consent Of the owner, or in time Of war, b
IN manner to be prescribed BY law.
SEC. %. Thatn hereditary emOlumenl
privileges or hOnOrs shall ever be granted
conferred in this State.
SEC. 81. Emigration from this State shs
not be prohibited, nor shall any free white eli
zen Of this State ever be exiled, under any Pr
tence whatever.
SEC. %. The right Of trial By jury shs
remain inviOlate.
SEC %. No person shah be debarrt
from prosecuting or defending any civil cau1
for or against him or herself before any tribl
nal in this State, by him Or herself or coui
sci, OF both.
SIC. 80. No person shall ever be appoin
ed or elected to any Office ID this State for d
or during good behaviour but the tenure
al Offices shall be for some limited period
time, II the person appointed Of elected Their