Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-08-13
The New Constitution of Virgini a.
WITH THE AMENDED
9rEL OF RIG 81 T S,

AS ADOPTED BY The
Rcsor,sa Convention of 1SSO-'5F.
10 BE ACTED UPON BY THE PEOPLE,
ON the 4th Thursday in october, 1851
Virginia Bill of Rights
TPAssEp JUNE II, l770,I
Ador,oJ without alteration by :he Convention OF
l82o-,3O. and re adopted with amendments
by the Convention of lS5U-'5l.
a Declaration of Rights made by Ihe Representa-
fires of The good people Of Vuginid, assembled
IN 6.H and free Conreniion, tch.ch rights 90
pertain 10 them and iheir posterity as The basis
and foundation Of government.
|. That all men are by nature equally free and
;ndependent. and have certain inherent rights, OF
which. when they enter into state Of socley, they
cannot by any compact, deprive or dlvest their
nos,erity namely the enjoyment OF life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring and possessing prop
erty; and pursuing and UbIalnlng happiness ana
. That all power is vested in, and consequently
derived from the people that magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and at all times amenaole TO
them.
3 That government, is or ought to be instituted
G,r the common benefit, protection and security OF
the people. nation or community: of all The varl-
ous modes and forms of government that Is pest
which is capable OF producing the greatest degree
OF happiness aud safety and is most efIectuahy So
cured against the danger ot NAL administrators
and that when any government snail Oe lou'ia !o-
ADEQUATE or contrary TO these purposes, majority
of thecommunity hath an indubitable, unalienabe
ard nde(easbe right to reform, alter or abolish II,
in such manner as shall be judged most conductive
to the public weai.
a That no man, or set of men are entitled to eX-
elusiye or separate emouments or privileges from
the communi,y, but in consideration OF public ser
vices. which. not being descendble, neither ought
the offices uf magistrate, Legislature Judge 10 De
D .rtIar the legislative, executive and judicial
powers should be separate and lsllnct ana tha'
the members thereof may be restrained from OPP
pression by feeling and participating the burthens
VI the people, they should, at liked periods, be re-
duced to private station, return INTO lna' ooGy
from which they were originally, taken. and the
vacancies supplied by frequent, certain and regular
elections, in which all, or any part OF the former
members to be again eligible or Ineligible, as the
laws shall direct.
6. That all electons ought to oe free, and that
all men having sufficient evidence of permanent
eommon interest with. and attachment to, the COM
munty, have the right of suffrage, and cannot be
taxed or deprived Of their property Tor public uses
without their cohsen or that OF their representa-
,ives so elected, nor bound by any law to which
they have not, in like manner, aSsented, for the
public good.
Z. That all power of susperdiug laws, or the
execution Of laws, bY any authority, without con-
sent Of the representatives OF the people, Is luuIi
Gus to their rights, and ought not 10 be exercised
8. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions,
man hath right to demand the cause and nature
of his accusation to bs confronted with the accu-
sers and witnesses, TO call for evidence In his isyor
aud to speedy trial by an impartial jury OF twelve
men of his vicnage, without whose unanimous
consent he cannot be found guilty; nor can he be
compelled to give evidence against himself; that
no man be deprived Of his liberty, except by the
law of the land or the Judgment OF his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not to be required
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an oihce
or messenger may 5e commanded to search suspect
p ed places without evidence OF fact committed, O
To sezs any person or persons not named, or whose
offence is not particularly described and supported
by evidence, are grevous and oppressive, and ough
not to be granted.
ii. That, in controversies respecting property
and in suits between man and man, the ancient
trial by jury of twelve men is preferable to any 9th
or, and ought 10 DO held sacred.
~ That the freedum of the press is one of th'
greast bulwarks of liberty, and can never be re
strained but by despOtc governments
l3. That well regulated militia, composed
the body Of the people, trained To arms, is the prop
er, natural and safe defence ola free state; tina
standing armies, in time Of peace, should be avoid
ed as dangerous to liberty and that in all cases th
military should be under strict subjrdnaton TO ant
governed By the civil power.
IL. That the people have right 10 a uniform
government and therefore, that no governmen
separate from, or Independent Of, the guvernmen
of Virginia. ought 70 be erected or establishes
wthin the limits thereof.
Is. That no free government, or the blessing o
liberty. can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
frugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrenc
10 fundamental principles.
4, I6. That religion, or the duty which we owe t
0nr Creator, and the manner OF discharging it, ca
Inc directed only by reason and conviction, not b
,snrse Or violence and thereioye all men are equa
etIsd 10 the free exercise Of religion, according
tbe dictates of conscience and that is the mutud
.duty Of Ell to'praclice christian iOroearance' low
.and charity towa rds each other