White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-12-10
THETOPEKA CONSTITUTION,
III. Free State Constitution Of the
State Of Kansas ,.a.-,
PREAMBLE.


PREANBLE.
We. the people of the Territory OF Kansas,
nv our Delegates in Convention assembled at
ToOeka. on the 23d day of October, A. D., 1892
nd az the Independence Of the United States,
The eirhtieth wear, having the right of admis-
ID, into the Union as one of the United States
~ ame,;es. consistent with the Federal Gonsti /.
tutiou and By virtue Of the treaty Of cessiOn by
France to the United States of the province OF
Jouisiana, in order to secure to ourselves and
our posterity, the enjoyment of all the rights Of
life. liberty and property, and the free pursuit OF
haupiness, do mutually agree with each other TO
form ourselves into free and independent State,
bv the name and style Of the STATE OF KANSAS,
bounded as follows, to-wit: Beginning at point
on the western boundary of the State of Mis-
souri,, where the thirty-seventh parallel OF north
latitude crosses the same; thence west on said
uarallel to the eastern boundary Of New Mexi-
co; thence north on said boundary to latitude
thirty-eieht; thence following said boundary
westward to the eastern boundary Of the Terri
tory of Utah, on the summit of the Rocky Noun
tains; thence northward on said summit TO the
forieth parallel of said latitude; thence east on
said parallel to the western boundary Ofthe State
of Missouri; thence south with the western boun-
dsry of said State to the place of beginning; and
do Ordain and establish the following CoSsrTTU-
TON and BILL OF RIGHTS for the government
thereof:
ARTICLE I-BiLL OF RIGHTS.
SECTION /. All men are by nature free and in
dependent, and have certain inalienable rights,
among which are those of enjoying and defend
ing life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and
protecting property, and seeking and obtaining
happiness and safety.
SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the
PEOPLE Government is instituted for their equal
protection and benefit; and they have the right
to alter, reform or abolish the same whenever
they may deem it necessary; and no special priv
ileges 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may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the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 peaeeable manner, to consult, for
their common good, to instruct their Represen-
tatives, and 20 petition the General Assembly
for the redress Of grievances.
SEC. 4. The people have the right to bear arms
for their defense and security, but standing ar
mics in times of peace are dangerous to liberty,
and shall not be kept up; and the military shall
be kept in strict subordination to the civil power.
SEC. 5. The right Of trial by jury shall be in
violate.
SEC. s. There shall be no slavery in this State,
nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punish
ment of crime.
SEC. I. All men have natural and indefeasi
bic right to worship Almighty God according to
the dictates of their own conscience. No per-
son shall be compelled to attend, erect or sup
port any place of worship, or maintain any form
of worship against his consent; and no prefer
ence shall be given by law to any religious soci-
city; nor shall any interference with the rights
of conscience be permitted. No religious test
shall be required as qualification of Office, moi
shall any person be incompetent to be witness
on account of his religious belief; but nothing
herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths
and affirmations. Religion, morality, and know
ledge, however, being essential to good govern
ment, it shall be the duty Of the General As
sembly to pass suitable laws to protect every re
ligious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment
Of its own mode of public worship, and 10 en-
courage schools and the means Of instruction.
SEC. 8. The privilege OF the writ of habeu
corpus shall not be suspended, unless in case o
rebellion invasion, the public safety require it
SIC. g. All persons shall be bailable BY sufi
Gent sureties, unless for capital effenses wher
the proof is evident, or the presumption great
Excessive bail shall not be required, orexeessiv
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment
inflicted. l @
SEC. 10. Except in cases Of impeachment, an
cases arising in the army and navy, or in the mi
litia, when in actual service, in time of war Q
public danger, and in cases of petit larceny an
other inferior ofenses, no person shall be bel
to answer for a capital or otherwise infamou
crime, unless on presentment or indictment Of
grand jury. In any trial, in any court, the par
ty accused shall be allowed TO appear and defen
in person, and with counsel; to demand the ns
ture and cause of the accusation against hin
and to have copy thereof; to meet the witnes
ses face to face, and to have compulsory process
to procure the attendance of witnesses in hi
behalf, and a speedy public trial BY an impartis
jury Of the county or district in which the ofens
is alleged to have been committed, nor shall an
person be compelled in any criminal case to b
awitness against himself, or be twice put in jeot
ardy for the same onense.
SEC. IL. Every citizen may freely speak, writ
and publish his sentiments on all subjects, bein
responsible for the abuse Of the right; and n
law shall be passed to restrain or abridge tn
liberty Of speech or Of the press. In all Grim
nalprosecutions ovindictments for libel, the trut
may be given in evidence to the fury, and if
shall appear to the jury, that the matter charge
as ibelous is true, and was published with GOO
motives. and for iustihable ends, the party sha
be acquitted. f----.r.
SIC, II. No person shall be transported out
the State for any ofense committed within q
same; and no conviction shall work eoruptio
OF blood or forfeiture Of estate.
SEC Is. Ne soldier shall, in time Of peace
quartered in any house, without the consent
the owner nor in time Of war, except in maj
ner prescribed BY law. ss ,-sl-af
SEC. ID The right of the people to be secu
In their persons, houses, papers and possession