The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-07-04
The New Constitution.

W - sA~ PSopiS VI lHe ola(e OF Iowa,
grateful to the Supreme Being for the
blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling
our dependence on Him for continua-
tion OF those blessings, do ordain and
establish free and Independent govera-
ment, by the name of the State Of Iowa.
the boundaries whereof shall be as fol-
lows:
Beginning in the middle of the main
channel of the Mississippi river, at a
point due east Of the middle of the mouth
OF the main channel of the Des Moines
river; thence up the middle of the main
channel of the said Des Moines river, to
a point on said river where the northern
boundary line of the State of Missouri,
as established by the Constitution of that
State, adopted June II, 1s20-crosses
the said middle of the main channel of
the said Des Moines river; thence west
wardly along the said northern boundary
line of the State Of Missouri, as estab-
lishcd at the time aforesaid, until an ex.
tension of said line intersects the middle
of the main channel of the Missouri
river; thence up the middle of the main
channel of the said Missouri river, to a
point opposite the middle of the main
channel Of the Big Sioux river, accord
ing to Nieollett's map; thence up the
main channel Of the said Big Sioux
river, according to said map, until it is
intersected by the parallel of forty-three
degrees and thirty minutes north lati-
tude thence east along said parallel of
forty-three degrees and thirty minutes.
until said parallel intersects the middle
Of the main channel Of the Mississippi
river; thence down the middle Of the
main channel Of said Mississippi river,
to the place Of beginning.
ARTICLE Bill OF RrGnrs.
Sec. /. All men are, by nature. free
and equal, and have certain inalienable
rights--among which arc those of enjoy
ing and defending life and liberty, ac-
quiring, possessing, and protecting pro-
perty, and pursuing and obtaining safety
and happiness.
See. =. All political power is inherent
in the people. Government is instituted
for the protection, security, and benefit
of the people, and they have the right,
at all times, TO alter or reform the same,
whenever the public good may require it.
See. 3. The General Assembly shall
make no law respecting an establishment
Of religion, or prohibiting the free excr-
else thereof; nor shall any person be
compelled to attend any place ct worship,
pay tithes, taxes, or other rates, for build
ing or repairing places Of worship, or
for tho maintenance of any minister or
ministry.
See. !. No religious test shall be re-
quirea rs qualification for any Office, or
public trust, aud no person shall /" de-
prived Of any Of his rights, privileges,
or capacities, or disqualified from the
performance OF any of his public or pri-
vate duties, or rendered incompetent to
give evidence in any court of law or
equity, in consequence of his opinions on
the subject of religion and any party to
any judicial proceeding shall have the
right to use as a witness, or take the tes-
timony Of, any other person not disquai-
fed on account of interest. who may be
cognizant Of any fact material to the case;
and parties TO suits may be witnesses, as
provided by law.
See. }. Any citizen Of this State who
may hereafter be engaged, either direct
ly or Indirectly, in a duel, either as prin-
cipal, or accessory before the fact, shall
forever be disqualified from holding any
Office under tho constitution and laws of
this State.
Sec. 6. /AlI laws Of q general nature
shall have uniform operation the Ge-
neral Assembly shall not grant to any
citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or
immanities, which, upon the same terms,
shall not equally belong to all citizens.
Sec. 7. Every porsoa may speak, write,
and publish his sentiments on all sub
jects, being responsible for the abuse of
that right. No law shall be passed to
restrain or abridge the liberty of speech,
or of the press. In all prosecutions or
indictments for libel, the truth may be
given in evidence to the jury, and if it
appear to the jury that the matter charg-
ed as libellous was true, and was pub
lished with good motives and for justi-
fable ends, the party shall be acquitted.
Sec. 5. The right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable seizures
and searches, shall not be violated and
no warrant shall issue but on probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation,
particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons and things to
be seized.
See. 8, Tn: right Of trial by jury shall
remain inyiolate; but the General AS
sembly may authorize trial by a jury of
less number than twelve men in infe-
rior courts, bat no person shall be de-
priyed of life, liberty, or property, with
out due process Of law.
See. 10. In all criminal prosecutions,
and in cases involving the life or liberty
of an individual, the accused shall have
a right to a speedy and public trial by an
impartial jury to be informed of the ac-
cusation against him, aud to have copy
of the same when demanded to be con-
fronted with the witnesses against hi:a !;
to have compulsory process for his own
witnesses and to have the assistance Of
counsel.
Sec. IL. All offences less than felony,
and in which the punishment does not
exceed a fine Of one hundred dollars, or
Imprisonment for thirty days, shall be
tried summari!y before Justice of the
Peace, or other officers authorized by
law. on information under oath, without
indictment, or the intervention of a
grand jury, saving to the defendant the
right of appeal and no person shall be