Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-29
VIRGINIA BILL OF RIGHTS.
rPAssEp JUNE II, 1901


.,,.,a;on by the Convention OF 1920 and re-
h''p, omts% with amendments BY the Convention VI i'' "
Declaration of Rights made 6y me RePresedees n
Sooa peops ;Ii do pertain to them and their poSterHs
as he basis and foundation Of goeern"'en'
r, all mon are by nature equally free and independent
and have certain inherent nsh.s vi M, omnact dsnriys
~ divest their poslery namely the enjoyment Oh me a
bery with the means OF acquiring ana pd sascty
~ and pursuing and obtaining happiness ana
Thai ali power is vested in and consequently oe,i.e.
,rn the people; that mag islrates are theif "ueee
r,ns and ut all times amenabie TO hell ,;,,,od Gov he
3 That government is, ought 10 DC nne notor
co,nmon benefit protection and security VI ", sop o
OF community; of all the various Of nrodneing The
r,,,,nt that is best which is capable VI pIouu.iE ~,
degree of happiness and safety and is mos! eec,u
.!ly secured against the danger OF dannn,e ~
49,, when anv government shall be iound in"uequu W
a'., -, ,Sess nnrposes majority Of the community
Sh m indnb,able unalienab!c and indeeasDle riPh.
reform alter or abolish il in such manner Us s " 1e
most conducive 10 the pubic weai 80, . .~.,,s;ro .,
That no man. or set OF men are entitled 10 e"clu''I W
separate emouments privileges from me cob In 40
in consideration of public services, WHICH nos Tes w
,.ndible neither ought the offices OF magistrate s'S'
or Judge to be hereditary. ;. ;. ,.o-, oh o,,d
and distinct; and the members Thereon may
be- restrained from oppression, by feeling ana h
the burtens the people, they should al Kea @ m
,uced 10 a private station, return INTO iat oouy 4ioi
which they were originally taken, ana the vacancies I p
piled by frequent certain and regular sn sub or
ar any par of the former members 10 DC again e"S "
ip.l.oible as the laws shall direct
having sufficient evidence of permanent common interest,"
with and attachment to- the community ha'G W
sirape and cannot taxed deprived OF her properly
for public uses without their own consent Or " VI :ei
representatives elected nor bound by any Ia" 70 "ne
,v have not like manner asscn!ed Tor the puoc soou
That nil power of suspcndng laws or the execution VI
laws by any authority without consent 81 ue 10
lives Of the people, is Injurious TO their nsh uu ou
10 be exercised. ,; no,
S nat in all capital criminal prosecutions a man
hath right 10 enand The cause and nature OF ms
nn IN he conf outcd with the accsers ana Witnesses "
@ evidence IN his favor and speedy trial by an impair
o ury of twel men of his vcinagc without whose uha
imns consent h. cannot be found gully; nor can nc oc
,d 10 give ~iLcnce against himself; that no man DC
deprived Of his oerty except BY the law Oh inc auo u '
Judgment of his 'eers ,;-, s ox,as
siye fines imposed nor cruel and unusual punshents In
fcted ,,.
10 That general warrants whereby officer or messen-
ger r,ay be commanded search suspected places "hou
svd-nce of fact committed seize any person or per
sons not named whose offence is not particularly oesco
and supported by evidence are geVous anu oppressive
and ought not TO be granted ;,
H. That in controversies respecting property anu 10
sus between man and man. the ancient trial by jury OF
twelve men preferable any oter and ought TO DC hcia
- That the freedom of the press is of the great bu
of liberty and can never De restrained ou ny uespo'
ic governments r
The people, trained to arms, is the proper natural ana saG
defence of free State; that standing armies, IN tlne Oh
peace should be avoided dangerous to ocry ana al
all cases the military should be under strict subordnatlon
10 and governed by the civil power.
IA That the people have right TO uniform government
and therefore, that government separate FROM or inoepen-
dent Of government uf Virginia. ought 10 be erected Or
established within the limits thereof
Is. That free government, or The blessing OF hoety
can be preserved any people, but by firm adherence 10
justice moderation temperance rugohy ana VIRTUE anu o
!, frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
IT, That religion, the duty which we owe TO our Crea-
tor and the manner of dschargng it, be directed only
by reason and conviction not by force violence; and
therefore all men equally entitled 10 the free exercise OF
religion according the dictates OF conscience and that
is the mutual duty of all practise christian orbearance
love and charity towards each other.