Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-01-07
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. =

A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Made By the Representative Of The good dpeople or
Virginia, assembled IN full and free Conven--
ti0n, aohics rights do pertain to them and their
| posterity as the basis and foundation of Coz
ernme1,t.
| l. That all men are by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights, Of
which, when they enter into a state Of society,
they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest
their pOsterity; namely, the enjoyment of life
and liberty, with the means of acquiring and
possessing property, and pursuing and obtatntug
happiness and safety. tln su egs..,f sl. .s4.5I5
2, That all power is vested in, and consequent
ly derived from, the people; that magistrates are
their trustees and servants, and at all times
amenable to them.
3. That Government is, or ought to be, insti-
tuted for. the common benefit, protection and
security Of the people, nation or community; OF
all the various modes and forms OF Government,
that js best which is capable of producing the
/ greatest degree of happiness and slfety, and is
most eHectualy secured against the danger Of
NAL administration and that, when any Govern
ment. shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, majority of the community
hath aaind ubitabls, unalsnable and indefeaslbe
right to reform, alter abolish it, in such man
ner a. shall be Judged most conductive to the
public veal. s.-t = 10 -- ~ a.Uss..tl .s II
A.. That nan, or set of men. are entitled 20
exclusive or separate smolumsntg or privileges
from the community, but in consideration of
public services, which, rot being descendable,
nsither ought the Offices of agistrats, legislator
or judss 10 be hereditary. =. rsi,A s..5 -.s4s
y =. That the Legislative and Executive powers
of the State should be separate and distisct from
ths Judiciary, snG that the members of the two
irst maybe restrained from oppression, by feel
ing and participating the burthens OF the people,
thsy snosld, 1t 6xed periods, be reduced 10
priv ate station, return iAto that body iron Ehch
they we're ori giHalIy taken. and tbs acances be
Iiod f,~ mt tain nd
tions, In which all, or any part OF the former
memosrs to be again eligible or Ineligible - the
laws shall direct. - sgz41 1.loaa c.ll l,e.4
6. That elections of ell members to serve rep
ressntatiyes of the people in Assembly ought to
ns tree, and thai all men having sufficient evil
dsncs of permanent Gonna On interest with, and
attachment to, the community, have right Of
suffrage, and cannot be taxed or deprived OF their
property for public uses, without their own con-
seat, or that of their representative so elected,
AOr bound by any law to which they have not in
like msnIsr assented for the Eub,is good.
Z. That ali power Of suspending laws, or the
exec tlon of laws, by any authority, without
c. naent Of the representatives of the people, is
nju urious to their rights, and ought not to be ex
ercised. .5..
8. That in all capital or criminal prosecutions,
a man hath right 10 demand the cause and
ture OF bis accusation, TO be confronted with
the accusers and Witnesses, to call for evidence
in his favor, and to speedy trial by irpar-
nous sonsent he cannot be found guilty nor
can he be com"slled to give evidence against
himself; that no man be deprived CT his liberty,
except by the law of the land or the Judgment of
his peers:
| 9. That excessive bail ought not to be requir-
ed, nor excessive nnes imposed, nor cruel and
| unusual punishment inflicted.
i 10. That general warrants, whereby an officer
| or messenger may be commanded to search sus-
pected places without evidence of q fact commit
ted. or to seize any person or persons not named
or whose offence is not particularly described
| and SUPPORTED by evidence, are grievous and op-
pressire, and ought not to be granted.
II. That in controversies respecting property,
and in suits between man and man, the ancient
trial by jury is preferable to any other, and ought
to be held sacred. ca ite-e aaE -
| IL. That the freedom of the press is one of
the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be
restrained but by despotic Governments.
49,. That well regulated militia, composed Of
/ the body of the people, trained to arms, is the
proper, NATURAL and safe defence of free State
bthat standing armies in time of peace should be
avoided as dangerous to liberty and that in al
ceases the military should be under strict subor-
dinaton to and governed by the civil power.
10 Ii. That the people have right to uniform
Government and, therefore, that no Goyern-
ment separate from, or independent OF, the Gov
fernment of Virginia, ought TO be erected or es-
tabshed within the limits thereof. .lia-ol
7 15. That 20 free Government CT the blessings
of liberty osa be preserved to any people but by
a firm adherence to justice, moder tion, temper
ance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent re-
currence to fundamental principles. li.a.
16. That religion, OF the duty which we owe
to our Creator, and the manner of diseharging ii,
can be directed only by reason and conviction,
not by force violence; and therefore all men
are equally entitled to the free exercise OF reil-
gion according to the dictates of conscience;
and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice
Christian forbearance, love and charity towards
each other. 40 ea sr re
g94.I1 l.}.5 s3sii----s sa.s
G o. CONSTITUTION
1. Whereas the delegates and representatives
Of the good people Of Virgnis, in Convention as
seinbied, On the twenty ninth day OF June, in the
year OF. our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and seyenty-six-reciting and declaring, that
whereas, George the Third, King OF Great Brit