Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-30

10 possess the ultimate property III ano
10 all lands within the jurisdiction OF this
Stale: and all lands The title 10 which
shall fail from defect of heirs, shall re-
vert, or escheat 10 the people.
ARTICLE XVII.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
Section l. All men are born equally
free and independent: all power is Inhe-
rent IN, and all government of right orr
ginates with The people, is founded IN
their authority, and Instituted for their
peace, safety and happiness.
Sec. Q. There shall be neither slave
ry nor involuntary serviude ia this state
otherwise than for The punishment o!
crimes. whereof The party shall have
been duly convicted.
Sec. 3. Every person may freely
sneak, write and publish his sentiments
on all subjects, being responsible Tor the
abuse Of tina, right, and TO laws shall be
passed TO restrain or abrldge the liberty
Of speech or orthe press In all prose-
cutions or indictments for libel, the truth
may be given in evidence 10 The jury;
and if it shall appear TO the Jury. that the
matter charged as lisel'ous be true,& was
published with good motives and for JUS
iifable ends, the party shall be acquitted;
and The jury shall have the right to de-
tormne the law and the fact.
Sec 4. The people shall at all times
have the right in a peaceable manner
to assemble together to consult for the
common good
Sec. 5. No words spoken in debate
in either house Of the Legislature shall be
the foundation of any action, complaint
or prosecution whatever.
Sec. 6. The trial by jury in all suits
nj law shall be preserved. but ii jury tr'a!
may be waived bv the parties in all civil
cases, in the manner prescribed by law.
Sec. Z. No law shall be passed gram
ting any divorce, otherwise than by due
judicial proceedings.
Sec. 8. Excessive bail shall not be
required; excessive fines shall not be inn
posed and cruel and unjust punishment
shall not be inflicted.
Sec. 8. In all criminal prosecutions
the accused shall have the right TO a
speedy and public trial by an impartial
Jury of the vicnage; 10 be confronted
with the Witnesses against him, 10 have
compulsory process for obtaining wit
nesses in his favor, and TO have the assis
lance of counsel for his defence.
Sec 10. No person shall be held tc
answer for a capital or otherwise inia
nous crime unless on presentment or in
dictment Of u grand jury, and no person
! for the same offence shall be twice put in
jeopardy of punishment; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case TO be &
witness against himself: all persons shat
before conviction be bailable by sufllcien
sureties, except for capital offences when
the proof is evident or the presumption
great: and the privilege Of the writ OF
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, I'M
less when, in case Of rebellion or inva
sion, the public may require IT,
Sec. H. Treason against the state
chail consist only in levying war agains
the same, or IN adherng 10 lis enemies
giving them a id and comfort. No per-
son shall be convicted of treason unles;
on the testimony Of two witnesses 10 the
same covert act or on confession in op2r
court.
Sec. IL. The right Of the people tc
be secure in their persons, houses. papers
and effects, against unreasonable scar
ches and seizures shall not be violated,
and no warrants 10 search any place o,
seize any person or thing, shall issue
without describing them as near as may
be; nor without probable cause, supper
ted by oath or affirmation.
Sec. 10. No bill Of attainder, ex posi-
facto law, nor any law impoiring the
validity of contracts shall ever be passed
and no conviction shall work corruption
Of blood, or forfeiture Of estate.
Sec. IA, The properly Of no person
shall be taken for public use without just
compensation therefor.
Sec. Is. Foreigners who are or may
hereafter become residents Of this State,
shall enjoy the same rights in respect to
the possession, enjoyment and descent OF
property as native born citizens.
Sec. l6. No person shall be impris
oned for debt in this State.
Sec. II. No religious test shall be
required as a qualification for any office
Of public trust, and no person shall be
deprived Of any OF his rights, privileges
or capacities, or disqualified from the pei
formancc Of any of his public or private
duties, or rendered incompetent, TO give
evidence in any court Of law or equity
in consequence of his opinions on the
subject of religion. The free exercise
and enjoyment Of religious profession
and worship, without discrimination OF
preference, shall forever be allowed in
this State TO all mankind.
Sec. Is. The military shall be KEEP,
under strict subordinaiion to the civil
power.
Sec. II. The Legislature shall make
no law respecting the establishment OF
religion. TOR shall any person be com
PEELED 10 attend any place Of worship, pa
iihes, taxes or o;her rates for building
or repairing places Of worship, or for the
maintenance Of any minister or ministry.
Sec ~. Wri:s of error shall never
ba prohibited by law.
Sec. 81. No money shall be drawn
From the treasury for the benefit of re
ligious societies or theological or reli-
glous seminaries
ARTICLE XVIII