Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-12
CONsTITU TON:
ARTICLE /.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

~a DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Section 1. All men are born eqWlly free
and independent, and have certain inherent
rights; among these are life, liberty aud the
prrsnit of happiness; to secure these rights,
governments are Instituted among men, de-
irving their Just powers from the consent Of
the governed.
Ssc. 9. There shall be neither slavery
nor iinvoiuRtary servitude in this State, 9TH
.erwise than fer the punishment of crime,
whereof the party shall have been duly con-
vicied.
Sec 8. Every person may freely speak,
write and publish his sentiments on all sub
iects, being responsible for the abuse of that
right, and no laws shall he passed to restrain
or abridge the liberty of speech or of the
press. In all criminal prosecutions or in
dictments for libel, the truth may be given
in evidence, and if it shall appear to the
Jury, that the matter charged as libellous be
true, and was published with good motives,
and for jusiifebe ends, the party shall be
acquitted; and the jury shall have the right
to determine the law and the fact.
Sec. 4. The right of the people peaceably
to assemble to consult for the common good,
and to petition the Government or any de-
partment thereof, shall never be abridged.
Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall
remain inviolate, and shall extend to all ca
SEES at law, without regard to the amount in
controversy; but a jury trial may be waived
by the parties in all cases, in the manner
prescribed by law.
Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not he re-
quired, nor shall excessive fines be imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments infiict-
ed.
Sec. Z. In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to be heard by
himself and counsel; to demand the nature
and cause of the accusation against him, to
meet the witnesses face to face; to have
compulsory process to compel the attend
ance of witnesses in his behalf; and in pros
ecutions by Indictment, or information, to a
speedy public trial by an impartial jury of
the county or district wherein the offence
shall have been committed, which county or
district shall have been previously ascertain
ed by law.
Sec. 8. No person shall be held to an
,swer for a criminal offence unless on the
.presentment or Indictment of Grand Jury,
except in cases of impeachment, or in cases
cognizable by justices of the peace, or aris-
ing in the Army or Navy, or in the Militia,
when in actual service in time of war or
public danger; and no person for the same
offence shall be put twice in jeopardy of
punishment, nor shall be compelled in any
criminal case to be witness against HIM
self; all persons shall before conviction be
bailable by sufficient 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, unless when in cases of rebellion
or invasion the public safety may require.
Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a GER
tain remedy in the laws, for all injuries or
wrongs which he may receive in his person,
property or character; he ought to obtain
Justice freely, and without being obliged to
purchase it, completely and without denial,
promptly and without delay, comfortably to
the laws.
Sec. 10. Treason against the State shall
consist only in levying war against the same,
or IN adhering to its enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. No person shall be con-
victed of treason unless on the testimony of
TWO witnesses to the same overt act, or on
confession in open court.
Sec. IL. The right of the people to be Sc
cure in their persons, houses, papers and
effects, against unreasonable searches and
seizures shall not be violated, and no war
rants shall issue but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and partic-
ularly describing the place to be searched,
and the persons or things TO be seized.
Sec. IL. No bill of artainder, ex post facto
law, nor any law impairing the obligation of
contracts, shall ever be passed, and no con-
yiction shall work corruption of blood, or
forfeiture of estate.
See. Is. The property of no person shall
70 for
pensation therefor.
Sec. IA. All lands within the State, are
declared to be allodial, and feudal tenures
are prohibited. Leases and grants of agri-
cultural land. for longer term than fifteen
years, IN which rent or service of any kind
shall be reserved, and all fines and like re-
straints upon alienation reserved in any
grant of land hereafter made, are declared
10 De void.
Sec. Is. No distinction shall ever be made
by law between resident aliens and citizens,
in reference to the possession, enjoyment or
descent of property.
Sec. 10. No person shall be imprisoned
for debt, arising out of, or founded on a con-
tract, express or Implied.
Sec. IL. The privilege of the debtor to
ENJOY the necessary comforts of life, shall
be recognised by wholesome laws, exempt
fng reasonable amount of property from
SEIZURE or sale for the payment of any debt
Ger liability hereafter contracted.
Sec. IS The right of every man to wor-
ship Almighty God according to the dictates
IN his own conscience, shall never be in
ifringed, nor shall any man be compelled TO
attend, erect or support any place of wor-
ship, or to maintain any ministry against his
consent; nor shall any control of or inter-