The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-04-28
ARTICLE /.

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to secure its blessings and promote our COM
mon welfare, do establish this constitution.
ARTICLE |. S't3
BILL OF RIGHTS.
SECTION l. All men are by nature, free
and independent, and have certain inaliena
BILE rights, among which are those of enjoy
ing and defending life and liberty, acquiring,
possessing, and protecting property, and
seeking and obtaining happiness and safe
ty. a i9f Ie5 ,iss.
SEC. ?. 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
same, whenever they may deemiit necessary;
and no special privileges or immunities shall
ever be granted, that may not be altered, re-
voked, or repealed by the General Assem-
bly,. a IL
SEC. 8. The people have 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 griev-
anceS. .y..'.s..i is3is.e as.f..
SEC. d. The people have the right to bear
arms, for their defence and security; but
standing armies, in time of peace, are dan.
gerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up;
and the military shall be in strict subordina-
ton to the civil power.
SEC. s. The right Of trial by jury shall
be inviolate. 4-t "4 f'l@
Sec. 6. There shall be no slavery in this
State; nor involuntary servitude, unless fol
tho funichmenf nf crinoa
SEC. q. All men have natural and in
dsfeasible right to worship Almighty Goo
according to the dictates of their own con
science, No person shall be compelled tc
attend, erect, or support any place of wor
ship, or maintain any form Of worship
against his consent; and no preference shall
be given, by law, to any religious society
nor shall any interference with the rights ol
conscience be permitted. No religious tes
shall be required, as qualification for Office
nor shall any person be incompetent to be q
witness on account Of his religious belief
but nothing herein shall be construed to dis
pense with osths and afirmations. Religion
morality, and knowledge, however, being es
sential to good government, it shall be thu
duty of the General Assembly to pass suita.
BILE laws, to protect every religious denomi
nation in the peaceable enjoyment Of it
own mode Of public worship, and to encour
age schools and the means of instruction.
SEC. 8. The privilege of the writ of ha
beas corpus shall not be suspended, unless
in cases of rebellion Or invasion, the publ,
safety require it.
SEC, 9. All persons shall be bailabIe b.
sufficient sureties, except for capital Offences
where the proof is evident, or the presump
tion great Excessive bail shall not be re
quired; nor excessive fines imposed; nor cru
el and unusual punishmerts inflicted.
SEC. 10. Except in cases of impeach
nent, and cases arising in the army and navy
or in the militia when in actual service II
time of war or public danger, and in cases O
petit larceny, and other inferior offences, NJ
person shall be held to answer for capital
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on pre-
sentiment or indictment Of grand jury. Ii
any trial, in any court, the party accused
shall be allowed to appear and defend in per
son and with counsel; to demand the nature
and cause of the accusation against him, ant
to have copy thereof; to meet the witnesses
face to face, and to have compulsory process
to procure the attendance of witnesses in hi
behalf, and speedy public trial by an i'm
partial jury OF the county or district, il
which the offence is alleged to have beel
committed; nor shall any person be compel
ed, in any criminal case, to be witnes
against himself, or be twice put in leopard,
for the same offence.
Sec. ii. Every citizen may freely speak
write, and publish his sentiments on ali sub
jects, being responsible for the abuse of tn
right; and no law shall be passed to restraiI
orabndge the liberty of speech, or of th
press. In all criminal prosecutions for libel
the truth may be given in evidence to the jury
and if it shall appear to the jury, that tn,
matter charged as libelous is true. and wa
published with good motives, and for, iusti
fable ends, the party shall be acquitted.
T., SEC. IL. No person shall be transporte,
out Of the State, for any offence commilte,
within the same; and no conviction shal
work corruption of blood, or forfeiture o
estate. a,4 u 5f.br4i .-r'
SEC. l3. No soldier shall, in time @
peace, be quartered in any house, without tn
consent Of the owner; nor, in time of war
except in the manner prescribed by law.
SEC, IA, The right of the people to b
secure in theirpersoiiiss, houses, papers, an'
possessions, against unreasonable Sscc.s.rrche
and seizures shall not be violated; and n,
warrant shall issue, butupon probable cause
supported by oath or affirmation, particular
ly describing the place to be searched, an,
the person aud things to be seized.
SEC. l5. No person shall be imprisone,