Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-14
VIRGINIA BILL OF RIGHsTs,


Adouted without alteration by the Convention
of i82o--'30, and rc-adopted with amendments by
the Convention Of lSJ0-'Jl.
A Declaration of Righs made by fe Representottres
Of HE rood peoplc Of VHeinia, assembled n tai
and free Contention. tkicL rights do pertain d
them aied thar yos'eyity as The bass and JoHHda-
tan ofgoronracn
l. That all men are by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights o
which, when they enter into state Of society. they
cannot by any compact deprive or divest Their pos
tcrity; namely: tic enjoyment Of life and liberty
with the means of acquiring and possessing proper
ty, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safe
ty.
o That all power is vested in, and consequently
derived from the people, that magistrates are thei
trustees and servants md all times amenablc ID
them.
B. That government is, or ought to be instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security o
the people, nation community OF all the various
modes and forms of government, that IL best whicf
is curabe Of producing thagreatest degree of nap
pincss aad safety, ard is most etiectuniiy secured
against the danger imal-adminisiraiIon' ana that
when any government shall be found inadequate OF
contrary to these purposes. majority OF the com
munitv hath an indubitablc, unacnable and indie
f,osib. rislt 10 REFORM alter or abolish IT, in such
mnnncr as shall be Judged most conducive to the
public veal
A. That no man. or set Of men are entitled TO cx-
elusive or separate emoluments or privileges from
the community but in consideration Of public SER
vices, which, not being deseendiblc, neither ought
the offices of magistrate legislator or Judge TO be
hereditary.
S. That the legislative, executive and Judicial
powers should be separate and distinct; and that
members thereof may he restrained from oppres-
sion, by feeling and participating the burthens of
the people they should, fixed periods, be rcduc-
cd to n private -ia;ion return into that body from
which they were originally tikcn, and the vacancies
he supplied by frequent, certain and regular cleo
tious, in which all, any part OF the former Nom
bcrs TO he again eligible or ineligible, as the lnws
shall direct
G. That all elections ought be free. and that all
men having sufficient evidence of permanent com
mon interest with, and attachment 10, the commu-
nty have the right Of suffrage, and cannot be taxed
deprived Of their property for public uses with
their consent, or that of their representa-
tives so elected nor bonnd By any law which they
have not ia ike manner, assented, for the public
good.
Z. Thnt all power of suspending laws, or the cx-
ecution of laws. by any authority. without consent
of the repre- sentatves of the people, is injurious to
their rights and ought not to be exercised.
8. That in all CAPITAL or crinal prosecutions, a
man hath right to demand the cause and nature of
his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers
and Witnesses to call for evidence in bis favor, and
TO a speedy trial by aninipartal jury of twelve men
of his vicruge, without whose unanimous consent
he cannot be found guilty; can be be compelled
to give evidence against himself that man be de-
prived of his liberty, except by the law ofthe land
or The iudgm mt OF lis peers.
o. I hat excessive bail ought not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishmenis inflicted.
TO- That general warrauts. whereby an officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence Oft fact committed, or TO
seize any person persons not named, or whose of
fence is not particularly described and supported
by evidence. gr eyous and oppressive, and ought
not to be granted.
II. That, in controversies respecting property,
and in suits between and man. the ancient trial
by Jury Of twelve men is preferable to any other
and ought to be held sacred.
L. That the freedom of the press is of the
great buwurks of fhberty, and never be restrain
ed but by despotic governments.
-. That well regulated militia, composed of
the body of the people, trained arms, is the pro-
per, natural and safe defence Of free States that
standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoid
cd dangerous to liberty and that in all cases the
military should be under strict subordination to aud
governed by the civil power.
ii. That the people have right to uniform gov
ernment; and therefore, that government sepa-
rate from, or independent Of the government Of
Virginia. ought be erected or established within
the limits thereof.
Is. That no free government, the blessing Of
liberty can be preserved to any people but by firm
adherence to justice, modcrution temperance. frii-
gality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles.
I6. That religion, or the duty which VIC owe 10
oar Creator, and the name fdiscla gingii can be
directed only by and conviction. not by force
or violence and therefore all men equally enri-
tied TO the free exercise of religion. according to
the dictate, of conscience and that it is the mutual
duty Of all to practice christian forbcarancc, love
and charity towards each other.