The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-03-08
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS,
AS ADOPTED BY THE coNvEN TON


We, the People of the State of Mary
land, by our Delegates in Convention
assembled, at the City of Annapolis,
taking into our most serious considera-
ton, the best means of establishing
good Constitution in this State, DE-
CLARE:
ARTICLE /. That all government of
right originates from the people, is found
ed in compact only, and substituted
solely for the good of the whole; and
that they according to the mode pre-
scribed in this Constitution, and the laws
made in pursuance thereof, at all times,
the unalienable right to alter, reform, or
abolish their form of Government, in
such manner as they may think expe.
ent; provision ought therefore be made
in the Constitution now to be formed,
whereby the exercise of such right at
reasonable periods and in Conventional
Assemblies, would be secured and regu-
lated.
ART. That the people of this State
ought to have the sole and exclusive
right of Regulating the internal govern
ment and police thereof.
land are entitled to the common law of
England; and the trial by jury according
to the course of that law and to the ben
eft of such of the England statues as
existed at the time of their first emigra-
ton, and which by experience have
been found applicable to their local and
other circumstances, and of such others
as have been since made in England or
Great Britain, and have been introduced
used and practiced by the courts of law
or equity, and also to all acts of Assem-
bly, in force on the first Monday of No
vember, 1850, except such as may have
since expired, or may be altered by acts
of this Convention, or this Declaration
of Rights, subject nevertheless, to the re-
vision of, and amendment or repeal by
the Legislature of this State; and the in
habitants of Maryland are also entitled
to all property derived to them from or
under the charter granted by his Majesty
Charles the First, to Cacilius Calvert,
Baron of Baltimore.
ART. a.. That all persons invested
with the Legislative or Executive pow
ers ofgovernment are the trustees of the
public, and as such accountable for their
conduct; whenever the ends of govern
ment are perverted, and public liberty
manifestly endangered, and all other
means fredress are intellectual, the peo-
pie may, and of right ought to re form
the old or establish new government,
the doctrine of non-resistance against
arbitrary power and oppression Is absurd,
slavish and destructive of the good and
happiness of mankind.
ART. 5. That the right in the people
to participate in the Legislature is the
best security of liberty, and the founda-
ton of all free government; for this pur-
pose elections ought to be free and fire.
quent, and every free white male citizen
having the qualifications prescribed by
the Constitution, ought to have the right
of suffrage.
ART. 6. That the legislative, execu-
tive, and judicial powers of government
ough hit to be forever separate and distinct
from each other; and no person or per-
sons exercising the functions of one of
said departments, shall assume or dis
charge the duties of any other.
ART. 7. That no power of suspend
ing laws or the execution of laws, unless
derived by Or from the Legislature,
ought to be exercised or allowed.
ART. 8. That freedom of speech and
debates, or proceedings in the Legisla-
ture, ought not to be impeached in any
court or judicature.
ART. 9. That Annapolis be the place
for the meeting of the Legislature; and
the Legislature ought not to be convened
or held at any other place but from evil
dent necessity.
ART. 10. That for the redress of
grievances, and for amending, strength
ening and preserving the laws, the Leg
islature oughtto be frequently convened.
ART. II. That every man hath
right to petition the Legislature for the
redress of grievances in peaceable and
orderly manner.
ART. IL. That no aid, charge, tax,
burthen, fee Or fees, ought to be set, ra-
ted or levied, under any pretence, with
out the consent of the Legislature.
ART. 10. That the levying of taxes
by the poll is grievous and oppressive;
that paupers ought not to be assessed for
the support of Government, but every
other person in the State, or person hold
ing property therein, ought to contrib.
ute his proportion of public taxes, for
the support of Government, according
to his actual worth in real and personal
property; yet fines, duties Or taxes may