Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-01-01
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
lsySse5,E IL COnOention, On ne esd
Il, II Octo5er, a. D. 1882.
IMnAA4AAA
ORTmE

krrrcrB I. DECLARATION or NIGHTS
4,h.stbt General, great and essential pfinci-
- ~ liberty and free Government may
-~esornizsd and established, we declare:
- 4. That en- freemen, when they form
q .or;rl compact, are equal in rights and that
"a 80. or sstof men, are entitled TO exclu-
I've separate public emoluments Of privileges
fFoul ti6 community, but in consideration OF
uubic services.
So 3. That an political power il inheT-
emit n he people, and al free governments are
founded on their authority and established for
iheirbensft; and, therefore, they have at al
times an unahenaDle and indefeasible right 20
alter or abolish their form Of government in
such manner as they may think exPedient.
SIC. g. The exercise and enjoyment OF
RELIGIOUS profession and worship, without dis
elimination shall forever be free to all per-
sons IN this State: Provided That the right
hereby declared and established shall not be so
eongtfued a. to excuse acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
or insaifv practices inconsist snt with the peace
and safety Of the State.
SIC. A. No preference shall ever be Civ
On BY law to any religious sect or mode OF
worship.
SIC. 5. That no person shall be molested
for liis opinion on any subject whatever, nor
suffer any civil or political incapacity, or ac-
uuire any civil or political advantage in conse-
Quenceof such opinions, excePtm cases pro-
Vided for in this Constitution.
SEC 6. Every citizen may freely speak,
write, and publish his sentiments on all sub
iects, being responsible for the abuse Of that
liberty.
Sc. Z. No law shall ever be passed to
eurtail or restrain the liberty Of speech or Of
the press.
SIC 8. In an prosecutions or indictments
Tor libel the truth may be given in evidence /;
and II 4 shall appear to the jury, that the mat
ter charged as EibeIous is true, and was pub
Gshed with good motives and for justifable
ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the
jury shall have the right to determine the law
andths facts. -
SIC. 8. That the people shall be secure
in Their persons, houses, papers, and posses
aiona from unreasonable seizures and search
a.: and that no warrant to search any place,
or 70 seize any person or things, shall issue
without describing the place to be searched,
and the person or thing to be seized, as near
az may be, nor without probable cause,
supported BY oath or affirmation.
SIC. 10 That in all criminal prosecutions,
the accused hath right to be heard, by him
self or counsel, or both to demand the ma
ture ard cause of the accusation; 10 be con-
front6d 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 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 fle
punished, but in virtue Of law established and
promulgated prior 10 the offence, and legally
applied.
SEC. II. That no person shall, for any IN
dictable 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. 10. 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 orreputation, shall have
remedy By due cnurse Of law, and right and
justice administered without sale, denial or de-
lay.
SEC. 10. That no power Of suspending
Avs shall be exercised, except by the Legis-
atTe, or its authority.
SEC. l6. That excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cru
81 punishmehts inflicted.
SEC. IL. That all prisoners shall before
conviction, be bailable by sufficient securities,
except for capital offences, where the proof is
evident or the presumption great and the
privilege of the writ of hGbeas corpus shall not
be suspended, unless when in case of rebel
lion or invasion, the public safety may require
il:
SIC. 10. That the person of a debtor,
when there Is not strong presumption offraud,
shah 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 o.
attainder, &c past fdctO law, nor law impairing
the obligation of contracts.
SEC. 20. Improperly qualification for eli
gibllity TO Office or for the right of suffrage
shaIie be required by law in this State.
Sic! %. Thatthe citizens have right il
q peaceable manner, to assemble together fol
Their common good, and to apply TO those vest
ed with the powers of government, for re
dress Of grievances or other proper purposes
bypetition, address, or rcmonstrance.
SEC. %. Every citizen has right to bea
arms N defence of himself and of the State
SIC. "a No standing army shall be KEEP
up 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.
SEC 2j. That no soldier shall, in time {
peace, Be quartered in any house, without tn
consent Of the owner, or in time of war, bu
m manner to be prescribed BY law.
SEc. %. Ehatno hereditary emoluments
privileges Of honors shall ever be granted o
conferred in this State.
SIC. ~. Emigration from this State sha
not BE- prohibited, nor shall any free white citi
zen Of this State ever be exiled, under any pre-
tence whatever.
nSFc 2s The right of trial by jury shal
remain inviolate.
.Sec. %. No person shall be debarre,
IRON. prosecuting or defending any civil caus,
f5fOf against him or herself before any tribu
nal II this State, by him or herself or com
Bel. q both.
SIC 30. No person shall ever be appoint
ed az elected to any oficein this State for lif
0tdl.ing good behaviour; but the tenure o
licences shall be for some limited period o
l,ll1, ne person appointed or elected there