Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-04-26
ARTICLE |.
BILL OF RIGHTS.


BILLoF RIGHTs.
SECTION |. All men are, by nature, free
and independent, and have certain inaliena-
ble rights, among which are those of enjoy
ing aud defending life and liberty, acquiring,
possessing, and protecting property, and seek
ing and obtaining happiness and safety.
SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in
the people. Government is instituted for
their equal protection and benefit, and they
have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the
snine, whenever they may deem it necessary
and no special privileges or immunitics shall
ever he granted that may not be altered re-
voked, or repealed by the General Assem-
bly,.
SEC. 3. The people bavc the right to as
semble together, in peaceable manner, to
consult for their common good to instruct
their Representatives; and to petition the
General Assembly for the redress of giiey-
Hnces
SEC. 4. The people have the right to bear
nrins for their defence and security; but
standing armies, in time of peace, are dan
gerous to liberty and shall not he kept up
and the military shall be in strict subordina-
ton to the civil power
SEC. 5. The right of trial by jury shall be
inviolate.
SEC. 6. There shall he no slavery in this
State; nor involuntary servitude, unless for
the punishment of crime.
SEC. z. All men have a natural and indie
feasible right to worship Almighty God ac-
cor,ling TO tho dictates of their own con-
science. No person shall he compelled to
attend, erect, or support any place of wor-
ship, or maintain any form OF worship, against
his consent; aud 10 preference shall be Civ
en-, by law, TO any religious society; nor
shall any interference with the rights of con-
science be permitted. No religious test shall
be required, as a qualification for Office, nor
shall any person be incompetent TO be
witness on account of his religious belief
but nothing herein shall be construed to dis
pense with oaths and aflirmations. Reig-
ion, morality, and knowledge, however, be-
ing essential TO good government, il shall be
tue duty of the General Assembly to pass
suitable laws, to protect every religious de-
nomination in the peaceable enjoyment of
its own mode Of public worship, and TO en-
courage schools and the means of instruc-
ton.
SEC. 3. The privilege ofthe writ of habeas
corpus shall not be suspended, unless, in ca
ses of rebellion or invasion, the public safety
require it.
SEC. 8. All persons shall be builable by
sufficient sureties, except for capital offences
where the proof is evident, or the presump-
ton great. Excessive bail shall not he re-
CURED; nor excessive fines imposed nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Sec. 10. Except in cases of impeachment,
and cases arising in the army and navy, or
in the militia when in actual service in time
of war or public danger, and in cases of petit
larceny and other inferior offences, no per-
son shall be held to answer for n capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on pre-
sentiment or indictment of grand jury. In
any trial, in any court, the party accused
shall be allowed TO appear and defend in
person and with counsel to demand the ma
ture and cause of the accusation against him,
and TO have copy thereof; to meet the
witnesses face to face, and to have compu-
sorry process TO procure the attendance Of
witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public
trial by an impartial jury of the county or
district in which the offence is alleged to
have been committed ; nor shall any person
be compelled, in any criminal case, to be
witness against himself, or be twice put in
jeopardy for the same offence.
SEC. IL. Every citizen may freely speak,
write, and publish his sentiments on all sub
jects, being responsible for the abuse of the
right; and no law shall be passed to restrain
or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the
press. In all criminal prosecutions for libel,
The truth may be given in evidence TO the
jury, and if il shall appear to the jury, that
the matter charged as libelous is true, and
was published with good motives, and for
justifabe ends, the party shall be acquitted.
Sec. IL. No person shall be transported
out of the State, for any offence committed
within the same and 10 conviction shall
work corruption of blood, or forfeiture Of es-
tate.
SEC. 10. No soldier shall, in time of peace,
be quartered in any house, without the con-
sent of the owner; nor, in time of war, ex-
cept in the manner prescribed by law,
SEC. Ia. The right Of the people to be Sc
cure in their persons, houses, papers, and