Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-25
CONSTITUTION
or HmE
STATE OF. MISSISSIPPI
A, r.,usd IL CONDeatioa, on the 26th
dov Of OctOber, a. D. 1882.

As-,rLE |. DEcEARArtON o. RIsHTs.
IT,, ~ General great and essential princi-
- ~ liberty and free Government may
srocoqni1sd aud established, we declare:
grc 4. That an freemeH, when they form
a.. social compact, are equal in rights and that
~ man, or setof men, are entitled to exclu-
ave, separate public emoluments OF privileges
from the community, but In consideration of
public services.
SIC. 3. That al political power is inher-
ent in the people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority and established for
their benefit; and, therefore, they have at all
times an unalienable and lndefeasible right to
alter or abolish their form Of government IN
such manner as they may think expedient.
Sre 3. The exercise and enjoyment of
RELIGIOUS profession and worship, without dis
Termination, shall forever be free to all per-
sons IN this State: PrOUided, That the right
hereby declared and established shall not be so
construed as to excuse acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
or Justify 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. That no 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 conse-
Guence OF such opinions, eXceptm cases pro-
yided for in this Constitution.
SEC. 8. Every citizen may freely speak,
write, and publish his sentiments on all sub
iects, being responsible for the abuse of that
liberty.
SEc. z. No law shall ever be passed to
.curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of
the press.
SEC. g. 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
ished with good motives and for justi6able
ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the
jury shall have the right to determine the law
and the facts.
SEC g.. That the people shall be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and posses
sions, from unreasonable seizures and search
es; and thatnO 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 all criminal prosecutions,
the accused hath right to be heard, by him
self or counsel. or both to demand the ma
ture and cause Of the accusation; TO be con-
fronted by the witnesses against him; to have
a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
n his favor and in all prosecutions by indict-
meHt 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 due course of law.
SEC. ii. 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 -. That no person shall, for any in
dctable offence, be proceeded against GRIMM
ally by information, except in cases arising in
the land or naval forces, or the militia, when
in actual service, or by leave of the court, for
misdemeanor in Office.
SEc. Ii. 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. IA. 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-
Jay.
SEC. Is. That no power of suspending
laws shall be exercised, except by the Legis-
Iature, OF its authority.
SIC. is. That excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cru.
ell punishments inflicted.
SEC. IL. That all prisoners shall before
conviction, be bailable by sufficient securities,
except for capital offaI ces, where the proof is
evident, or the presun ION great; and the
privilege Of the writ Of bdbeaS corpus shall not
he suspended, unless when in case Of rebel
zion or invasion, the public safety may require
6t.
SEC. Is. That the person of debtor,
when there Is not strong presumption offraud,
shall not be detained In prison, after delivering
up his estate for the benefit of his creditors,
in such manner as shall be prescribed by
law.
SEC 10. No conviction for any offence,
shall work corruption Of blood or forfeiture OF
estate the Legislature shall pass no bill Of
attainder, er post factO law, nor law lmpalrmg
the obligation OF contracts.
SEC. 20. Improperly qualification for ell
llOillty 20 once OF lQf blS EiBnb VI 5unEdBc
shall ever be required by law in this State.
SEC. %. Thatthe citizens have right il
eeaeeable manner, to assemble together 70
their common good, and to apply TO those vest
"a with the powers Of government, for re
dress of grievances or other proper purposes
bV petition, address, or Tcmonstrance.
SIC. %. Every citizen has a right to bea
arms in defence Of himself and of the State
SEC ~ No standing army shall be KEEP
nm without the consent Of the Legislature
and the military shall, in all cases, and at al
times Be In strict subordinatiOn to the civi
power.
Ssc. 25. That no soldier shah, In time q
peace, b duartered in any h5use, without til
consent Of the owner, or in time Of war, bu
in manner to be prescribed BY law.
SIC. %. Thatno hereditary emolument'
privileges OF honors shall ever be granted O
conferred il this State.
SEC. o.. Emigration from this State sha
not be prohibited, nor shall any free white cit
zen Of this State ever be exiled, under any pre-
tence whatever; a 4Y
SEC Is. The right Of trial by jury sha
remain inviolate.r
SFc 90 No person shall be debarre
from proseeuting or defending any civil caus
for OF against himor HERSELF before any tribu
nal in this State, BY him or herself or coun
sci, or both
SEC. 30. No person shall ever be appoint
ed Or elected to any oficein this State for Ii
or during good behaviour but the tenure {
allOficas shall be for some limited period 4
time the person. appointed or elected there