Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-02-20
CONSTITUTION
OF THE STATE OF INDIANA,

AS ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION OF THE
PEOPLE, FEBRUARY 10, 1851.
PREAMBLE.
To END, that Justice be established public order
maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the People
Of the State of Indiana grateful to ALMIGHTY GoD
for the free exercise Of the right choose our own
form of government do ordan this Constitution.
ARTICLE l.
RIGHTS
SECTION l. WE DECLARE, That all men are crea-
ted equal that they endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienabe rights; that, among .se life
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that all power
inherent in the People, and that all free governments
are and of right ought to be founded their authority
and instituted for their peace, safety, and webeing
For the advancement Of these ends the People have
all times ndefeasabe right to alter and reform their
government.
worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their censciences.
SEC. 3. No law shall, in any case whatever, control
the free exercise and enloymento of religious opinions
or interfere with the rights Of conscience.
SEC. a. No preference shall be given, by law, to
any creed religious society," mode of worship; and
place OF worship, or 10 maintain any ministry, against
his consent.
SEC. S. No religious test shall be required, as
qualification for any office OF trust profit.
SEC. 6. No money shall he drawn from the treasury,
for the benefit Of any religious theological institu
ton.
SEC. 7. No person shall be rendered incompetent as
witness, in consequence of his opinions matters of
religion.
SEC s. The mode of administering an oath or afir-
nation shall be such may be most consistent with
and binding upon the conscience OF the person. to whom
such oath affirmation may be administered.
SEC. g. No law shall be passed, restraining the free
interchange of thought anu option or restricting the
right TO speak, write, print, freely any subject
whatever; but &c: the abuse Of that right every person
shall be responsible.
Sec. 10. In all prosecutions Cor libel the truth of
the matters alleged to be beous may be given in justi-
fcation.
/ 2zf.I. L. - ,o~
persons, houses papers, and effects against unreasona
be search seizure, shall he violated and no war
shall ISSUE but upon probable supported by
oath affirmation and particularly describing the place
to be searched and the person thing TO be seized
! SEC. II. All courts shall be open; and every man,
for injury done to him in his person. property, or reputa
ton shall have remedy by due of law. Justice
shall be administered freely, and without purchase
completely, and without denial speedily, and without
delay.
SEC. 13. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall have the right to public trial. by impartial
jury in the county in which the oense shall have been
committed be heard by himself and counsel to de-
mand the nature and cause Of the accusation against
him, and to have copy thereof to meet the witnesses
face TO face and to have compulsory process Tor obtain
| ing witnesses in his favor.
SEC. IA. No person shall be put in jeopardy twice
for the same offense No person, IN any criminal
prosecutions shall be compelled to testify against him.
| SELF.
/ SEC. 10. No person arrested or confined in jail,
shall be treated with unnecessary rigor.
Sec 16. Excessive bail shall not be required. Ex-
cessve fines shall be imposed. Cruel ard unusual
punishment shall not be inflicted All penalties shall be
proportioned te the nature of the ofiense.
SEC. IL. Olienses, other than murder or treason,
shall be baabe by sufficient sureties. Murder or trea-
shall not he balabe when the proof is evident, or
| the presumption strong
| SEC 49, The penal code shall be founded the
principles of reformation and of vndctiye justice.
/ SEC. 10. In all criminal cases whatever, the Jury
shall have the right determine the law and the facts
! SEC 20. In all civil cases. the right OF trial by jury
shall remain inviolate.
SEC. 81. No mans particular services shall be de-
manded, without Just compensation. No mans proper
ty shall be taken by law, without just compensation;
nor except in case OF the State without such comPen
sation first assessed and rendered
SEC. %. The privilege of the debtor enjoy the
essary comforts Of le shall be recognized by whole
some laws, exemptng reasonable amount OF property
from seizure sale, for the of any debt LA
bty hereafter contracted: and there shall be no mpris-
onment for debt, except in OF fraud
! SEC. %. The General Assembly shall not grant to
which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong
| all citizens.
SEC. "a. No post fGcto law, law impairing the
obligation of contracts shall ever be passed.
| SEC %. No law shall be passed, the taking effect
of which shall be made to depend upon any authority,
exsept as provided in this Constitution.
I SEC &c. The operation of the laws shall never be
suspended except by the authority of the General As
sembly.
Sec 81 The privilege of the writ of hGbeas corpus
shall be suspended, except in of rebellion or In
|
SEC %. Treason against the State shall consist,
y In levyng war against it, and In giving aid and CON-
fort to its enemies.
Sec 90. No person shall be convicted of treason ex-
cept the testimony of witnesses the overt
act upon his confession in open court.
Sec 30. No conviction shall work corruption Of
blood forfeiture of estate
SEC 81. No law shall restrain of the inhabitants
of the State from assembling together In peaceable
manners to consult for their common good nor from in
structng their representatives. nor from applying TO
the General Assembly, for redress of grievances.
SEC. 3D. The people shall have right TO bear arms
for the defense of themselves and the State.
SEC 49, The military shall be kept in strict subor
dination TO the civil power.
Sec 81. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quar-
tered in any house, without the consent Of the
nor in time fwar, but in to be prescribed by
law
SEC. 35. The General Assembly shall not grant any
title OF nobility nor confer hereditary distinctions.
Sec SO. Emigration from the State shall not be pro-
hibited.
SEC 81 There shall be neither slavery nor nvolun-
tary servtnde within the State otherwise than for the
punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted. No indenure Of any Negro Mulatto
made and executed of the bounds OF the State shall
be valid within the State.
ARTICLE III.
SUFFRAGE AND ELECTION.
SECTION L., All elections shall be free and equal.
SEC. 2. In all elections. otherwise provided for
by this Constitution, every white male citizen of the
wards, who shall have resided in the State during the
six months Immediately preceding such election: and
every white male OF foreign BIRTH OF the age of twenty
years and upwards who shall have resided in the
United States one year, and shall have resided in this
State during the six Immediately preceding such
election and shall have declared his intention become
citizen Of the United States, conormaby to the laws
ofthe United States the subject of naturalization
shall be entitled to vote, in the township precinct
where he may reside
SEC. No soldier. marine. the