Washington telegraph., 1845-10-08
ARTICLE FIRST.
BILL OF RIGHTS.


may be recognized and established, we
declare that
SECTION l. All political power is inhe-
rent in the people, and all free governments
are founded on their authority, and institu-
ted for their benefit; and they have at all
times the unaienable right TO alter, reform,
or abolish their form of government, IN such
manner as they may think exPedient..
SEC ,. All freemen, when they form
social compact, have equal rights; and no
man, or sci Of men, is entitled to exclusive,
separate, public emoluments or privileges,
but consideration of public services.
SEC. 3 No religious test shall ever be
required as qualification TO any office or
public trust in this state.
Sec 4. All men have natural and in
defeasable right to worship God according
to the dictates of their own consciences; no
man shall be compelled to attend, erect, or
support any place Of worship, or to maintain
anv ministry against his consent. no humari
authority ought: in any case whatever, to
control or interfere with the rights OF con-
science. in matters of religion, and no pre-
ference shall ever be given by law to any
RELIGIONS societies or modes of Worship
But il shall be the duty of the Legislature
To pass such laws as shall be necessary TO
protect every religious denomin alton in the
peaceahe enjoyment of their own mode OF
of public worship.
Sec. ). Every citizen shall he at liberty
to speak, write or publish his opinions ON
anv subject, beng responsible for the abuse
of that privilege, AMI no law shal ever he
passed, cur Il NJ he .ther.y "f speech or
of the Pres
Sec. s. IN pro,c'-a .,ls s1r tle pub.!c,t-
ton Of papers !nvcs. igatin4 thF ott'ca- cJn
duet of officers OF men Ia pub Ic captctl,
or where the matter puhi.shed is proper t1f
rubhc nfornaiion the trath the.ebt may
he piven in evidence. And in al! 'nIct
mcnis tor libelz. the Jury shall have right
to determine the law and The facts. nnde
the direction of the court as in o her Cases
Sec I. The people shall be secure IN
their persons. houses, papers, aad posses
sions. from all unreasonable seizures or
searches. and no warrant To search any
place, or To seize any person or thing snail
issue, without describing then as near as
may be; nor without probable cause sup
ported by oarrI. or .t4Iirmasion.
Sec. 5. In all criminal prosecutions. the
accused shall have a speedy public tr al, by
to give evidence against himself: he shall
have the right of being heard by himself or
counsel, or both: shall be controncd with
the Witnesses against him, and shall have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
in his favor; and no person shall be holden
10 answer for any criminal charge. but on
Indictment or information, except IN cases
arising in the land OF naval forces, or Of
fences against the laws regulating the mill
itia. ....
Sec. 9. All prisoners shall be baiiable
by sufficient suretes unless Tor capital OF
fences, when he proof Is evident or the pre-
sumption great; but this provision shall not
be so construed as to prohibit bail after III
dictment found, upon an examination ot the
evidence by Judge OF the Supreme or Dis
Irict Court, upon the return ot the writ OF
habeas corpus, returnab!e in the county
where the offence is committed.
Sec. 10. The privilege OF the writ OF
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, ex-
cept when in case of rebellion or invasion,
the public safety may require it.
Sec. IL. Excessive bail shall not be re-
quired nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel or unusual punishment inflicted. All
courts shall be open; and every person, for
an injury done him, in his lands, goods. per-
son, or reputation, shall have remedy by
due course OF law.
Sec. II. No person for The same offence
shall be twice put in jeopardy of life or
limb nor shall person be again put upon
trial for the same offence, after verdict of
not guilty; and the right of trial by jury
shall remain inviola,c.
Sec. 13. Every citizen shall have the
right to keep and bear arms in the lawful
defence of himself and the State.
Sec. IA. No bill of a,tainder, ex post
facto law retroactive law, or any law i'm
pairing the obligations of contracts, shall
be made; and no persons property shall be
taken or applied to public use, without ade-
quate compensation being made, unless by
the consent of such person. ....-
Sec. 5. No person shall ever be impris-
oned for debt.
Sec. l6. No citizen of this state shall be
deprived Of life. liberty. property or privil-
eyes, outlawed exiled, or in any manner
disfranchised, excep; by due course of the
law of the iand-
Sec IT, The military stall at all times
be subordinate to The civil authority.
Sec. Is. Perpetuities and monopolies are
contrary to the genius OF Free Govern
ment. and shall never be allowed; nor shat
the law primogeniture or entailments ever
be in force in this State.
Sec. 10. The citizens shall have the
right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble