Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-07
virginia Bin Of Rights.
IPAssEp JUNE l2, l776.I

/ AoSNINIlON OF lc-o- OO, AND ht- "A
DOTTED WITH AMENDMENTS BY THE
CoxyENrIoN or 1s50-'5l.
4 Declaration of Rights made Jy tie Re
presentdtteese Of thegoodpeople Of Tirgin-
Ia, assembled ~ FIJI and free Conrea-
ton, sehicA rights do pertain TO them and
tier posfeyity as ne basis and foaada-
tion Of .g0refnmeat.
!. That all men are by nature equally
free and independent, and have certain in
herent rights, of which, when they enter
into a state Of society they cannot, by any
compact, deprive or divcst their posterity;
namely, the enjoyment Of life and liberty,
with the means Of acquiring and possess
ing property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety.
2. That all power is vested In, and con-
sequently derived from the people; that
magistrates are their trustees and servants,
and at all times amenable to them.
3. That government is, or ought to be
instituted for the common benefit, protec-
ton and security Of the people, nation OF
community: of all the various modes and
forms Of government, that is best which is
capable Of producing the greatest degree
Of happiness and safety, and is most etiec-
tually secured against the danger of NAL
administration; and that, when any govern
ment shall be found inadequate or contra
ry to these purposes, majority of the
community hath anindubitable, unalienable
and indeieasible right to reform, alter OF
abolish it, in such manner as shall be judg.
ed most conducive to the public veal.
A. That no man, or set Of men are en-
titled to exclusive or separate emoluments
or privileges from the community, but in
consideration of public services, which
not being descendible, neither ought the
Offices Of magistrate, legislator or judge tc
be hereditary.
8. That the legislative, executive and iu-
dicial powers should be separate and dis
tinct: and that the members thereof may be
restrained from oppression, by feeling and
participating the burthens Of the people
they should, at fixed periods, be reduced tc
a private station, return into that body from
which they were originally taken, and til,
vacancies be supplied by frequent, certait
and regular elections, III which all, or any
part Of the former members TO be agar
eligible or ineligible, as the laws shall di
rect.
6. That all elections ought 10 be free
and that all men having sufficient cyidenc,
OF permanent common interest with, anc
attachment to, the community, have a nigh
Of suffrage, and cannot be taxed or depriv
ed Of their property lorpublcuses, withou
their own consent, or that Of their repre-
seutativcs so elected, nor bound by any Law
to which they have not, in like manner, as
scntcd, for the public good.
Z. That all power Of susponding law.
or the execution of laws, by any authority
without consent Of the representatives o
the people, is injurious to thcir rights, anc
ought not 10 be exercised.
8. That, in all capital or criminal prose
cutions, man hath right to demand tn,
causo and nature Of his accusation, to b,
confronted with the accu5ers and witncs
scs, to call for evidence in his favor, and tc
a speedy trial by an impartial jury o
twelve men Of his vicinagc, without whose
unanimous consent he cannot be found
guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evi
deuce against himself; that no man be dc
privcd Of his liberty, except by the law o
the land or the Judgment of his peers.
Q. That excessive bail ought not to be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, MOI
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted
10. That general warrants, whereby al
officer or messenger may bc commanded
to search suspected places wlthouteyidencC
of a fact committed, or to seize any person
or persons not named or whose offence i.
not particularly described and supported
by evidence, are grievous and oppressive
and ought not to be granted.
IL. That, in controversies respecting
property, and in suits between man anc
man, the ancient trial by jury of twelve
menis preferable to any other, and ough
to be held sacred.
12 That the freedom Of the press is one
Of the great bulwarks of liberty, and car
never be restrained but by despotic gov
ernments.
10. That well regulated militia, com
posed of the body Of the people, trained tC
arms, is the proper, natural and safe de
fence Of free state; that standing armies
in time Of peace, should be avoided as dan
gerous to liberty; and that in all cases the
military should be under strict subordiua
ton to and governed by the civil power.
II. That the people have a right to uni
form government; and therefore, that Nc
government separate from, or Independent
OF, the government of Virginia, ought to be
erected or established within the limit:
thereof
Is. That no free government, or the
blessings Of liberty, can be preserved to any
people, but by firm adherence to justice
moderation, temperance, frugality and vir
tue, and by frequent recurrence to fun
demental principles.
1G. That religion, or the duty which We
owe to our Creator, and the manner of dis
charging it, can be directed only by reason
and conviction, not by force or violence
and therefore all men are equally entitled
to the free exercise Of religion, according
to the dictates of conscience and that it /:
the mutual duty Of all to practice christian
forbcarancc, love and charity towards each
other.
Constitution OTvirg5n5sa.
WHEREAS, the Delegates and Repre-
sentatives Of the good people of Virginia
IN Convention assembled, on the twenty
ninth day of june, in the year Of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventy
six: reciting and declaring, that whereas,
George the Third, king Of Great Britain
and ireland and elcctor Of Hanover, be.
fore that time entrusted with the exercise
of the kingly Office in the government ol
Virginia, had endeavorcd to pervert the
same into a dctestable and insupportable
tyranny, by putting his negative on laws
the most wholesome and necessary for the
public good; by denying his governors per
mission to pass laws ofimmediate and pres
sing importance, unless suspended in their