Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-31

jilIs Or ytaeAi6epTeSehtQtsocS Ot tHe yVolSpeOfsS "
Virgin.a, assembled tn tulland free Coaue1.-
ton, achsch rights dopertain to them and s taes'
posterity as the basis and foundation oI COG
el er7anaeat. sasu.oJ s.ss ssslss sg.4s14n - -
II That all men are by nature equally free and
Independents, and have certain inherent rights, q
which, when they enter into state Of society:
they ecaunot, by any compact, deprive or oives
their posterity; namely, the enjoyment OF iiie
and liberty, with the means OF acquiring ano
possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining n
happiness and safety. y - a.As ~. 40 Il fa1.
q. That all power is vested IN, ana cohseauent-
iy derived from, the people; that magistrates ART
their trustees and servants, and at all tisaei
a1nenable to them. y sf''-' 4---sas y seal =.
8, That Government is, or ought to be-, insti-
tnted for the common benefit, protection and
security of the teople, nation or community; o.
all the various modes and forms OF ofGovernmenr
that is best which lsa capable of producing tle
grcatest degree of happiness and safety and y
most effectually secured against the danger o1
mall Standardization and that, when any Govern
ment shall be found inadequate or contrary 20
these purposes, majority Of the community
hath an indubitabls, Bile and lndefeaslD lie
right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such man
ner az shall be judged most conductive TO- the
public veal. eJ.ss--a
exclusive or separate emolumsnts or privileges
from the community, but in consideration Of
public services, which, not being descenfsbie,
neither ought the Offices Of mAgi strate, Legislators
or jud 90 to be hereditary. II 81 sIsss saI s
- S. That the Legislative and Executive powers
of the State should be separate and -dstiSct from
the iudicisry, ana that the members of the two
first maybe restrained from oppression, by feol-
ing and participating the burthens Of the people,
tLsy should, At fixed periods, be reduced to :
private station, return into that body fron which
they were originally taken. and the nacancies be
supplied by frequent, certain, and regular selec-
tions, in which all, or any part of the former
members to be again eligible or Ineligible - she
laws shall direct. r&sa49sssaa ~. ss.fssa-s sA !
s, That electionsof all members to serve assep-
resentatives of the people ia Assembly ought to
as free, and that all men having sufficient svi
dence Of permanent common interest with, and
attachment to, the community, have q right. OF
suffrage, and cannot be taxed or deprived OF their
property for public uses, without their own con.
sent, or that Of their representatives 90 elected,
nor bound by any Law to which they hsvs not ir
like manner assented for the public good.
7. That all power Of suspendings laws, or the
exec ton of laws, by any authority, without
C, nsent of the representatives. of the people, il
injurious to their rights, and ought not to be ex
| ercised. ,s-ss 80 Ras
s. That in all capital Or criminal prosecutions
man hath right to demand the cause and na
turs of his accusation, to be confronted with
the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidencs
| in his favor, and to speedy trial by an npar
tial jnry Of his vieinage, without whose unaLi
nous consent he cannot be found guilty !; no
can he be com. elled to give evidence agains
himself; that no man be deprived of his liberty
except by the law OF the lAnd or rne JudSm0nt
his peers:
9. That excessive bail ought not to be requir
ed. nor excessive lines imposed, nor cruel sn(
| unnsual punishment inflicted. ,l.a sss.ssss sas
10. That general warrants, whereby an Office
or messenger may be commanded to search sns
pected places without evidence of fact commit
OF whose oferce is not particularly describe'
aud supported by evidence, are grievons and op
pressiye, AM; ought not to be granted.
IL. That in controversies respecting property
and in suits between man aud man, the sncien
trial by jury il preferable to any other, and ough
TO be held sacred. .sasse
~. That the freedom of the press is one o
the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never b.
restrained but by despotic Goyeruns is.
| l3. That we'll regulated militia, composed c
the body of the people, trained to arms, is th
proper. natural and safe defence of free State
/ that standing armies in time of peace should b.
avoided rs dangerous to liberty and that in all
cases the military should be under strict subor
dinatIon TO and governed Dy the civil power.
IA. That the pc pie have right to uniform
fGovorament; and, therefore, that no. Govern
ment separate from, or independent Of, the Gov
ernment Of Virginia, ought to be erected or eE
tahlisied within the limits thereof.
Is. That 20 free Government CT the blessing
| of liberty can be preserved to any people but b,
a firm adherence to justice, moder tion, temper
ance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent re
currence to fundamental principles.
l6. That religion, or the duty which we ow'
to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it
can be directed only by reason and conviction
not by force or violence; and therefore al. mel
are equally entitled to the free exercise of reli
gion according to the dictates of conscience
and that it is the mutual duty of all to practic,
Christian forbearance, love and charity towards
each other.