The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-10

pose of amending the Constitution OF the stare
having consolidated the same as adopted ON th'
18th day of December, A. D., 1776, with th'
anne ndments thereto which we're ratified on tht
1lth day of July, A D, 1885, together will
sundry ame endments adopted in the years 1856
I 1861 and 1862, aud other amendments adoptsd
| by this Convention, do ordain and establish tie
| folio wing Constitution for the State:
ARTICLE l. =
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Section L. All political power is vested in
and derived from the people only.
Sec g The people of this State ought tc
have the sole anG exclusive right of regulating
the internal government and police thereof:
| Sec. g. No man set Of men arc entitled to
| exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges
from the community, but In consideration o!
| public services.
Sec. 4 The legislative, executive, and Sc
preme judicial powers of government ought to
be forever separate and distinct from each other
! Sec: 5. All power of suspending laws, or the
| execution of laws, by asy authority, without
consent of the representatives of fhe people, is
injurious to their rights, and ought not to be
exercised.
Sec. 6. Elections of members to serve as rep
resent atives inc eneral Assembly ought to be free
Sec 7. In all criminal prosecutions, every
man has right to be informed Of the accusa-
tion against him, and to confront the accusers
and witnesses with other testimony, and to have
counsel for his defence, and shall not be CON-
PEELED to give evidence against himself
Sec. g. No freeman shall be put to answer
any criminal charge, except as Hereinafter al
lowed, but by indictment, presentnent, or i'm
peachment.
Sec. 9. No freeman shall be convicted of any
crime, but by the unanimous verdict of jury
Of good and lawful men, in open Court, as here
tofore used: The Legislature may, however,
provide. other modes of trial for petty misde.
meanors, with the right of appeal
Sec. TO. Excessive bail should not be requir-
ed, nor excessive fines imposed, nor unusual
punishmeHts inflicted. ..
Sec Ii. General warrants, whereby any off
or messenger may be commanded to search
suspected places without evidence of the fact
committed, or to seize any person or persons not
named whose offence is not particularly descrb-
ed and supported by evidence, dangerous TO
liberty, and ought not to be granted.
Sec IL. No freeman ought to be taken, i'm
prisoned, or disseized Of his freehold, liberties,
or privileges, or outlawed, CIR exiled, or in any
manner destroyed, or deprived, of his life, lber-
ty, or property, but by the law of the land
Sec. Ii Every freeman, restrained of his lib
erty, is entitled to a remedy to inquire into the
lawfulness thereof, and to remove tire same if
unlawful and such remedy ought not to be de-
MED or delayed -
Sec. Ia In all controversies at law respecting
property, the ancient mode of trial by Jury is
one of the best securities of the rights of the
people, and ought to remain sacred Dc inviolaL lie.
Sec. IS The freedom of the press is cne of
the great bulwarks of liberty, and therefore
ought never to be restrained
See. Is. The people of this State ought not
to he taxed, or made subject to the payment Of
any impost or duty, without the consent of them
selves, or their representatives in General As
semby, freely given.
See. IT, The people have right to bear arms
for the defence of the State; and, as standing
armies in time OF peace dangerous to liberty,
they ought not to be kept up; and the military
should be kept under strict subordination to-,
and governed by, the civil power
Sec. lS The people have right to assemble
together, to consult for their common good, to
instruct their representatives, and to apply to
the Legislature for redress of grievances
Sec 10. All men have natural aud unalien-
able right to worship Almighty God according
to the dictates of their own consciences
Sec. 20. For redress of grievances, and for
amending aud Strengthening the laws, elections
ought to be often held
Sec. 21. A frequent.recurrence tofu ndameDt-
al principles is absolutely necessary to preserve
the blessings Of liberty.
Sec y. No hereditary emouments, privi-
leges, or honors ought to be granted or confer
red in this Stale
Sec. %. Perpetuties and monopoes con-
trary to the genius of free State, and ought
not to be allowed.
Sec Il Retrospective laws, Furnishing. acts
committed before the existence of such4aws,
and by them only declared criminal are oppres-
sive, unjust, and incompatible with liberty;
wherefore, no &c post facfo la Nv ought to he made.
Sec - Slavery and involuntary servitude
otherwise than :or crimes, whereof the parties
shall have been duly cons icted, shall be, aud is
hereby forever prohibited within the State.
Sec 26 The limits and boundaries of the
State shall be and remain as they now are.
. Sec. 27. All courts shall be open, and every
person, for an injury done him in his lands,
goods person or reputation, shall have remedy
By due course of law, and right and justice ad-
ministered without sale, denial or delay.
Sec 2S. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be
quartered in any house without the consent of
the owner; nor in time of war, but In a manner
TO be prescribed by law.
ARTICLE III.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
Section l. The legislative authority shall be
vested in two distinct branches, both depend
ent on the people, to-wit: Senate and House
of Commons
Sec. 2. The Senate shall consist of fifty re-