Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-03-20

We the people of the Stale OF
Ohio, grateful to Almighty God ior
our freedom, 10 secure its blessings
and promote our common welfare,
do establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE I.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
SECTION L. All men are by ma
ture free and independent, and have
certain inalienabls rights, among
which are those Of enjoying and de-
tending lie and liberty, acquiring,
possessing and protecting property,
and seeking and obtaining happiness
and safety.
SBc. 2. All political power is in
herent ia the people. Government
Is instituted for their equal protec-
tion and benefit; and they have the
right to alter, reform, or abolish the
same, whenever they may deem it
necessary: and 40 special privileges
or immunities shall ever be granted
that may not be altered, revoked, or
repealed by the General Assembly.
SEC. 3. The people have the right
TO assemble together, in peaceable
manner, to consult for their common
good, to instruct their Representa-
lives, and to petition the General
Assembly for the redress Of grievan-
ces.
SEC. 4. The people have the right
to bear arms for their defense and
security; but standing armies, in
time OF peace, are dangerous to lib
erty, and shall not be kept up; and
the military shall be in strict subordi-
nation to the civil power.
SEC. 5. The right OF trial by jury
shall be inviolate.
SEC. 6. There shall be no slavery
in this State; nor involuntary servi-
tude, unless for the punishment Of
crime.
SEC. Z. All men have natural
and indefeasible right TO worship AL
mighty God according to the die
tates OF their own conscience. No
person shah be compelled to attend,
erect. or support any place of wor-
ship, or maintain any form Of wor-
ship, against his consent; and no
preference shall be given, by law, TO
any religious aociety; nor shall any
Interference with the rights of con-
science be permitted. No religious
test shall be required as qualiica-
ton for office, nor shall any person
be incompetent to be witness on ac-
count of his religious belief; but
nothing herein shall be construed to
dispense with oaths and affirmations.
Religion, morality and knowledge,
however, being essential TO good
government, it shall be the duty Of
the General Assembly to pass suita-
bic laws, to protect every religious
denomination in the peaceable en-
joyment of its own mode Of public
worship, and TO encourage schools,
and the means of instruction.
SEC. 8. The privilege of the writ
of habeas corpus shall not be suspen-
ded, unless in cases Of rebellion or
invasion, the public safety requise
il.
SEC. 9. All persons shall be bail
able by sufficient sureties, except for
capital offences where the proof is /
evident, or the presumption great I
Excessive bail shall not be required; l
nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
SEC. 10. Except in cases Of i'm
peachment and cases arising in the
army and navy, or in the militia, !
when in actual service, in time Of :
war, or public danger, and in cases
of petit larceny and other inferior
afences, no person shall be held to g
answer Tor capital or otherwise in t
famous crime, unless on presentment c
or Indictment OF grand jury. IL
any trial, in any court. the party ac-
cused shall be allowed to appear and
defend in person and with counsel;
to demand 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 to procure the $
Of witnesses in his be-
half, and speedy public trial by an ,
impartial jury of the county or dis {
trict in which the offence is alleged i
to have been committed; nor shall
any person be compelled, in any
criminal case. TO be witness against
himself, or be twice put in jeopardy
for the same offence.
SEC. III. Every citizen may freely
sneak, write, and publish his senti-
,nents on all subjects, being resPon-
S;bIe for the abuse OF the right; and .
no law shall be passed to restrain or |
abridce the liberty of speech or OF
the press. In all criminal prosecu-
lions for libel, The truth may be given
IN evidence to the jury, and If it shall
snpsar to the jury that the matter
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