Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-10-06
NEW CONSTITUTION
OF The
STATEOF MARYLAND
ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION AT
ANNAPOLIS, SEPT. 8, 1864, AND TO
BE SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE
l2TH AND 18TH OF OCT, 1864.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

SlNil uuu Tel5louS llDSTlJ anu thhilS III
to our serious consideration the best
means of establishing good Constitution
In this State, for the sure foundation and
snore permanent security thereof, declare
Article THAT we hold it to be self
evident that all men are created equally
free; that they are endowed by their Gre
'tsr with certain unalenablc rights among
which are life, liberty, the enjoyment Of
the proceeds of their own labor and the
pursuit OF happiness
Article 2.-That all government Of
right originates from the people, is founded
in compact only, and instituted solely for
tie good Of the whole aud they have at
all times the hnalienablc right to alter,
reform or abolish their form of govern
ment in such manner as they may deem
expedient.
Article 3.-That the people Of this
State ought to have the sole and exclusive
right of regulating the internal govern
mcnt aud police thereof.
Article THAT the inhabitants of
Maryland are eutitled to the common law
of England, and the trial by jury accord
ing to the course of that law, and to the
benefit of such of the English statutes rs
existed On the fourth day Of July, seven
teen hunlrcd and sevcuty-six, and which,
by experience, have been found applica-
bic to their local and other circumstances
nnl have been introduced, ussd and prac-
tised by the courts of law or equity, and
alsJ Of all Acts of Assembly in force on
the first day of June, eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, except such as may have
since expired or may be inconsistent with
the provisions of this Constitution, cub
ject, nevertheless, to the revision of and
Amendment or repeal by the Legislature
of this State; and the inhabitants Of
Maryland are also entitled to all property
derived to them from or under the charter
granted by his majesty Charles the First,
to Cecilius Calvert, Baron Of Baltimore.
Article 5.-The Constitution of the
United States and the laws made in pur-
suance thereof being the supreme law of
the land, every citizen of this State owes
paramount allegiance to the Constitution
and Government Of the United States,
and is not bound by any law or ordinance
of this State l. contraycntion or subver-
sion thereof
Article G.-That all persons invested
with the Legislative or Executive powers
OF Government are the trustees of the
pabic, and rs such accountable for their
conduct; rtcrcfore, whenever the ends
OF Government are perverted. and pulic
liberty manitcstly endangered, and all
other means of redress are Intellectual
the pcoplc may and of right ought to re-
form the old or establish new Govern
ment The doctrine of non-rcsistancc
against arbitrary power and oppression is
absurd, siavish xud destructive of the
good and happiness of mankind.
Article 7.--That the right of the peo-
pie to participate in Tie Legislature is the
best security of liberty ana the founda-
ton of free government ; for this purpose
elections ought to be free and frequent,
aud every free white male citizen, having
the qualifications prescribed by the Con-
stitution, ought to have the right of suf-
fragc.
Article s.-That the Legislative, Ex-
ecutive aud Judicial powers of govern
ment ought to be forever separate and
distinct from each other, and no person
exercising the functions of one of said
departments shall assume or discharge
the duties of any other.
Article 9.-That no power of suspend.
ing laws or the execution of laws, unless
by or derived from the Legislature, ought
to be exercised or allowed.
Article 10.--That freedom of speech
and debate, or proceedings in the Legis
lature, ought not to be impeached in any
court Of judicature.
Article l1.-That Annapolis be the
place for the lnaeting Of Legislature; and
She Legislature ought not 10 be convened
or held at any other place bat for evident
necessity.
Article 12.--That for the redress OF
grievances and for amending, strength
ening and preserving the laws. the Leg,
islature ought to be frequently convened
Article l3 That every man hath I
right to petition the Legislature for th'
gedress Of grievances. in peaceable ant
and orderly manner.
Article 14.-That no aid, charge. tax
burthen or fees ought to be rated or ievieG
under any pretence, without the conscn
of the Legislature.
Article 15.-That the levying of taxel
by the poll is grieyous and oppressive
and ought to be prohibited; that paupcr
ought not to be assessed for the suppor
of the Government, but every other per-
son in the State, or person holding prop
erty therein, ought to contribute his pro
portion of public taxes for the support 0
Government. according to his actua
worth in real or personal property; We
fines, duties or taxes may properly an'
Justly be imposed or laid, with politica
view, for the good government and ben
eft Of the community.
Article 16. - That sanguinary law
ought to be avoided as far as it is consis
tent with the safety Of the State; and n
law to inaict cruel and unusual pains an
penalties ought to be made in any case
or at any time hereafter.
Article II THAT retrospective laws
furnishing acts committed before the ex
istence of such laws, and by them onl
declared criminal. arc oppressive. unjui
and incompatible with liberty wherefor
no er post ft.cto law ought to be made.
Artile l8.-That no law to taint pai
ticular persons of treason or felony oagt
10 be made in any case, or at any tim
hereafter.
Article 19.-That every man, for an
injury done 70 him in his person or prt
perty, ought to have remedy by the oour'
of the law Of the land, and ought to hav
jnsties and right, freely without sale