The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-09-05
THE CONSTITUTION
O. AF
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
Adopted in Convention, IN FRIDAY. An.
gnst 2S, 1881
SIGNED By TIE eFFICERs AND MEMBERS M THE
CONVENTION, AUGUST %. ls,r


Atrse COP compared carstaRy seita a. x,rou,,
Cog fePosi'ed ''ta the Secretary efthe Territory.
PREAMBLE: ~
W. the people Of the State of Minnesota
grateful to God for 1pr civil and RELIGIOUS lib
erty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings
aud secure the same to ourselves and our DOS
terity do ordain and establish this Coastitu.
hon:
ARTICLE FIRST.
Bi1 Of Rights.
SECTION [. Government is instituted for
the security, benefit and protection of the
people, in whom all political power is inhe.
rent together with the right tG alter, modify
OF reform such Government, Whenever the
public good may require it.
Sc. ,. No member Of this State shall
be DISTINGUISHED or deprived of any of the
rights CT privileges secured to any citizen
thereof unless BY tie law of the land or the
Judgment Of his peers. There shall be nei
rher slavery nor Involuntary servitude in the
State otherwise shan in the punishment oil
crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted. j
Sc. } The liberty Of the press shall forev-
CT remain inviolate. aud all persons may free
ly speak, write and publish their sentiments
on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse
Of such right. -... .te-.t.
Sec. +. The right of trial by jury shall
remain iuviolate. and shall extend to all cases
al law without regard to the amount in con-
-trovorsy, but 4 jury trial may be waived by
the parties IN all cases, in the manner prescrb-
cd By law.
Sec. ). Excessive bail shall not be requir-
e3. nor shall excessive fines be imposed nor
shall cruel or unusual punishments be inflic
tel.
Sec. {. In all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and
public trial. by ~ impartial jury of the Coun-
" Or District wherein the crime shall have
been committed, which County or District
shall have been previously ascertained by law,
and 20 be Informed of the nature aud cause
Of tle accusation, to he confronted with the
witnesses against him. to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
aGd t5 have the assistance of counsel in his
defense
Sec. :. No person shall be held to answer
t1r . criminll 0f3ace auless on the present
men, o. in lictment Of i Grand Jury, except
IN cases Of Impeachment or in cases cogn.hs-
ble by Justices # the peace or arising i'll the
ARM OF Navy. Or ia the militia wi, Il in ac-
tuai service in time Of war or public danger.
a,:i no person for tue same offence shall be
pu5 twice in jeopardy Of punishment, nor
shall he compelled in any criminal case to be
witness against himself, nor be deprived of
lie, liberty, or property without due process
of law. All persons shall before conviction
he bailabiosty s"iiiCiens sureties, except for
cor.,al offences, when the proof is evident or
the presumption great; and the privilege of
the writ Of habeas CORPUS shall not be suspen-
dei unless, when IN eases of rebellion or in.
7asion, The public safety may require.
Sec. :. Every person is entitled to q GER
tain remedy in the laws for all injuries or
wrongs which he NAV receive in his person.
property or character he ought to obtain
justice freelyand without purchase; complete
iv, and without denial; promptly and with
Out delay, contormably TO the laws
Sec. .. Treason against the State shall
consist only in ievyins war against the same
or iu aihering to its enemies, giving them aid
ard c1mfort. No person shall be convicted
OF Treason unless on the testimony of two
witnesses to the same overt act, or on con-
fessioG in open court.
Sec 10. The right of the people to be
secure IN their persons, houses, papers and ef-
iects against unrea sOnsble searches and sez-
ures shall not be violated, and no warrant
shaiiissue but upnn probable cause, supported
10y oath or Affirmation, and particularly de-
scribng the place to be searched, and the
person or things 10 be seized.
Sec. IL. No bill of attainder, er post fac
10 law. nor any law impair'ng the obligation
Of contracts sha!, ever be passed, and no con-
viction shall work corruption of blood or for
feiture Of estate.
sec. u. No person shall be imprisoned
FOR debt in this State, but this shall not pre-
sant the Legislature from providing for i'm
pfisonment or holding to bail persons charg.
ed with fraud IL contracting said debt. A
reasonable amount of property shall be ex.
empt from seizure or sale, for the payment of
any debt or liability the amount of such eX-
emption shall be determined by law.
Sec. l3. Private property shall not be ta-
ken FOR public use without just compensation
therefor first paid and secured.
See. Ii. The military shall he subordinate
to the civil power, aud 10 standing army
shall be keptup in this Sta,e IN time of peace.
Sec. Is. Al lands within this State are
declared to be allodaI and feudal tenures of
every description, with all their incidents, are
prohibited. Leases and grants of agricnltu-
raj land for longer period than twenty-one
wears, hereafter made in which shall be re-
served any rent or service of any kind, shall
he void.
sec l6. The enumeration of rights in
ths Constitution shall not be construed to
denv or impair Others retained by and inher-
ent IN the people. The right of every man
to worship God according to the dictates of
his own conscience shall never be infringed;
nor shall any man be c0mpelled to attend,
erect or support any place of worship, or to
maintain any religious or ecclesiastical minis
Try against his consent: or shall any control
of or interference with the rights of con-
science be permitted Or any preference be
given by law to any RELIGIOUS establishment
or mode of worship; bat the liberty of con-
science hereby secured, soall not be so con-
ssrued as to excuse acts OF hcentiousness or
iustify practices inconsistent with the peace
or ssfetv of he State: nor shall any money
be drsvii from the treasury for the benefit Of
any religious societies, or religious or theo-
logical spnllnaries. -H-
Sec. II. No religious test or amount OF
property shall ever be required as qualica'
non for any office of public trust under the
State No religions test or amount OF pro
perty shall ever be required as qualification
of any voter al any election in this State
nor shall any person be rendered incompe-
tent 10 give evidence in any court of law OF
equity in consequence of his opinion upon the
subject of religion. 43 e.
ARTICLE SECOND.
o. Mime ard Boundaries. ..l
Section l. This State shall be called and
known by the name of the State of Minneso-
Ia, and shall consist of and have jurisdiction
over the Territory embraced in the following
boundaries, to wit Beginning at the point
in the center Of the main channel Of the Red
river Of the North, where the boundary line
between the United States and the British
Possessions crosses the same thence up the
main channel Of said river to that Of the
Bois des Sioux river; thence up the mair
channel ofsaid river to Lake Traverse; thence
ND the center of said Lake to the southern ex
tremity thereof; thence "A direct line te
head of Big Stone Lake; thence through it
center to its outlet; thence by due south
line to the north line Of the State Of Iowa
thence east along the northern boundary o
C.4..o e., +I. roo;r, chQnnnl 0f the MiaalsS