Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-12
VIRGINIA BILL OF RIGHTS.


the Convention of is50-'5l.
"A Declaration IF Rights made By The Rep
yesenfatires Of The good people Of Vir- H
fginia, assemJledin full md free ConUen-
iron, wlieh rights do pertain Ia them and
their posterify as the basis and founda-
lion Of government.
l.. That all men are by nature equally
free and independent, and have certain-in.
herent rights, Of which, when they enter
into state of society, they Cannot, by
any compact, deprive or divest their pos
terity !. namely the enjoyment Of life
and liberty, with means Of acquiring and
possessing property, and pursuing and OBJ.
tanning happiness and safety. aadi m
2. That all power is vested in, and con-
sequsnly derived from the people that
magistrates are their trustees andservants,
and at all fines amenable TO them. gl 4
3.aThst government is, or ought to be
instituted for the common benefit, protec.
ton and Security of the people, nalion or
community; Of all the various modes and
forms of government, that is bes, which is
capable ofproducing the greatest degree Of
happiness and safety, and is most efeclu-s
allS secured against the danger Of mal,ad-
tninis,ralion; and that, when any govern
ment shall be found inadequate or contra
~ 10 these purposes, a majority, Of The
communily hath an indubitable, unalena-
BILE and indefeasible ght to reform, alter
on abolish il, in such manner as shall be
iudgsd most conducive 10 the,pu5lic veal.
a That no man, or set oil men are en- -
titled 10 exclusive or separate emoluments
or privileges from the community, but in
consideration Of public services, which,
not being descendible, neiiher ought the
offices Of magistrate. legislator or judge TO
be hereditary. ~ e,s4 .s.eeaa.,.., &, -.
8. That The legislative, executive and
judicial powers should be separate and dis,
tinct; and that The members thereof may
be restrained from oppression. by feeling
and participating the burthens OF the peo-
pie, they should, al fixed periods, be re.
duced to private station, return into that
body from which they were originally la
ken, and the vacancies be supplied by fre-
quent certain aud regular elections, in
which all, or any part OF the former mem
5ers to be again eligible or ineligible, as
the laws shall direct.
g. That all elections ought to be free.
and that all men having suihclent evidence
of permanent common interest with, and
attached 10, the community, have the
right Of suffrage aud cannot be taxed or
deprived of their property for public uses,
without their own consent, or that Of their
representatives. so elected, nor bouad 10
any law to which they have not, in like
manner, asseated, for the public good.
7. That all power Of suspending laws,
or the execution Of laws, by AIRY author-
~, without consent of representatives of
the people. is injurious TO ihsi, rights, and
ought not to be exercised.
3. That. in all capital or criminal pro-
ecutions, man hath right 10 demand
the causes and nature Of his accusation, to
be confronted with the accusers and wit
nesses, 10 call for evidence in his favor,
aud speedy trial by an impartial jury Of
twelve men Of his vlcinage, without whose
unanimous cansent he cannot be found
guilty nor can be 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.
8. That excessive bail ought not TO be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punshments afflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an
officer or messenger may be commanded
TO search suspected places without evil
dence OF fact committed, or to seize any
person or persons not named OF whose
offence is not particularly described and
supported by evidence, are grIevous and
oppressive, and ought mol 10 he granted.
Ill. That, in controversies respecting
property, and in suits between man and
man. the ancient trial by jury of twelve
men is preferable 10 any other, and ought
10 be held sacred.
IL. That the freedom OF the press is one
OF the great bulwarks Of liberty, and cea
never be restrained but by despoic gov
ernment.
IL. That a we'll regulated militia, com
posed Of the body OF the people, trained TO
arms, is The proper. natural and safe de-
fence Of free State that standing aimiee,
in time of peace, should be avoided as
dangerous 10 liberty; and that in all cases
the military should be under strict subor-
dinatlon to and governed by the civil
power.
H. That the people have right TO uni
form government and therefore, that no
government separate iIom, or ndepen-
dent OF, the government Of Virginia, ought
Il to be erected or established within the
limits thereof eaa aHA
8 lo That no free government, or the
blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any
people, but by firm adherence TO justice,
moderation, temperance, frugali,y and vlr-
tue, and by frequent recurrence to fun.
y damental principles
l6. That religion, or the duty which we
4 owe to our Creator, and the manner OF
dlschargfng it, can be directed only by
reason and conviction, not by force or vio-
lence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled 10 the free exercise of religion,
according 10 the dictates of conscience /;
and that il is the mutual duty of all TO
practise Christian forbearance, love and
charity towards each other
CONTRIBUTION OF VIRGINIA.