The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-25

have not in like manner assented for the pub
lie good
8. That all power of suspending laws, OF
the execution of laws, by any anthoFi,y,
without consent Of the representatives OF Inc
people, Is injurious to- their rights, ana oushs
not TO be exercised ..aon.
10. That In NIL capital or criminal proseca.
tions, man hath right 70 oenIanu w S
and nature OF his accusation, to be conllCntNe s
with the accusers and witnesses, 70 cen tol
evidence in his favor, and to speedy lflat W
an impartial Jury Of twelve men OF MS Vicih-
age, without whose unanimous eonsens ne
cannot be found guilty; nor can ne % c ahn
no man be deprived Of his liberty, except py
the law of the land or the judgment OF his
peers. - % 10 .a
uuired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruei
and unusual punishments inflicted.
70. That general warrants, whereby an
officer or messenger may be commanded 70
search suspected places without evidence oI u
fact committed, or to seize any person OF pc,
sons not named, or whose offence is not paru-
cularly described and supported by evidence,
are grievous and oppressive, and ougnt not 70
be granted.
Is. That in controversies respecting pro-
perty and in suits between man ana man tne
ancient trial by jury Of twelve men Is prefer
able to any other, and ought 10 Dc helo Sd
cred.
IA. That the freedom of the press is one OF
the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never
be restrained but by despotic governments.
Is. That a well-regulated militia, composeo
of the body of the people, trained TO arms, is
the proper, natural, and safe defence OF Tree
State; that standing armies, in time OF peace,
should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and
that in all cases the military should pc unoer
strict subordination TO and governed by the
civil power.
Is. That the people have right to uniform
government. and therefore that no govern
ment separate from or independent OF the CO.
yernment of Virginia ought to be erected or
established within the limits thereof.
of liberty can be preserved to any people put
by q firm adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by a
frequent recurrence 10 fundamental prlncl-
pies.
to our creator, and the manner of discharging
it, can be directed only by reason and conVlc-
ton, not by force or violence ana, therelore'
all men are equally entitled to the free eXer.
else of religion, according to the dictates OF
conscience and that it is the mutual duty OF
all to practice Christian forbearance, love- ana
charity towards each other.
10. That neither slavery nor involuntary
seryitude, except as lawful imprisonment may
constitute such, shall exist within this State.
( 20. That all persons residing IN TINS State'
and born or naturaliZed in the United states,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereon, are
citizens of this State" ~,
q. The rights enumerated in TINS BIN o.
Rights shall not be construed to limit otner
rights of the people not therein expressed.
TcHAsGRs IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
l. The second and third articles are interpo.
lated in the old Bill, and indicate the subj uga.
ton of the State to the central consolidated
power at Washington.
2. The words modes and - are omitted De-
r.. -.or~ ont ~
3. The 10th, Goth, and 2lst sections are
added
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.
Whereas the delegates and representatives
of the good people of Virginia, in Convention
assembled on the 29th day of une in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred anc
seventy. six, reciting and declaring that Wnere'
as George the Third, King of Great Brltaln
and Ireland, and elector Of Hanover, before
that time entrusted with the exercise OF the
kingly office in the government of Virginia,
had endeavored to pervert the same INTO de-
testable and insupportable tyranny by putting
his negative on laws the most wholesome ano
necessary for the public good by denying MS
governors permission to pass laws of immedl,
ate and pressing Importance unless suspended
in their operation for his assent; and when Sc
suspended, neglecting to attend to them 1or
many years by refusing to pass certain otber
laws unless the persons to be benefited by
them would relinquish the inestimable right
of representa- in the Legislature; by
dissolving legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually for opposing with manly
tirmness his iuyasions Of the rights OF the pPo-
pie when dissolved, by refusing to call others
for 4 long space Of time, thereby leaving the
political system without any legislative head;
by endeavoring to prevent the population OF
our country, and for that purpose obstructlng
the laws for the naturalization of foreigners;
by keeping among us, in tine of peace, stand
ing armies and ships of war; by affecting tc
render the military independent OF ana su
perior to the civil power; by combining Win
others to subject us TO q foreign JGrisolctloh
giving his assent TO their pretended acts Of
legislation, for quartering large bodies of arm
ed troops among us, for cutting Oft our trade
with ali parts cf the world, for imposing taxes
on us without our consent, for depriVlng US o.
the benefits of the trial by jury, for transport:
ing us beyond seas 10 be tried for pretended
offences, for suspending our own legislatures
and declaring themselves invested with power
to legistlate for us In all cases Whatever; ~
plundering our seas, ravaging our coasts
burning our towns, and destroying the llVes
of our people; by melting instructions OF oul
fellow subjects with the allurements OF forfeit
ure and coniiscation; by prompting our negroes
to rise In arms among us-those very negroes
whom, by an inhullan use Of his negative ne
had refused us permission to exclude by law
by endeavoring TO bring on the inhabitants o!
our rontiers the merciless 1dian saTages
whose known rule OF warfare is On undlstln,
guished destruction of all savages, sexes, ano
conditions of existeneeI by Transporting
hitheT q large army of foreign mercenarles u
complete the work of death, desolatlon, ano
| tyranny, then already begun with clrcum.
| stances of cruelty and pertidy unworthy the
head of civilized nation by answering oul
| repeated petitions for redress with 4 repeti
! ton of injuries and finally, by abandoning
| the helm of government and declaring us out
| of his allegiance and protection 4; by which
several acts of misrule, the government Of
| this country, as before exercised under thu
crown of Great Britain, was totally dis
solyed-did, therefore, having matnrely con
sidered the premises, and viewing with grea
concern the deplorable condition TO which
this once happy country would be reduced
unless some regular, adequate mode o.
civil policy should be speedily adopted, ane
| in compliance with the recommendation
of the general Congress, ordain and de-
clare q form Of government Of Virginia
and whereas Convention held on the frs
Monday In October, in the year one thousanc
eight hundred and twenty -nine did propose
| to the people of the Commonwealth an amend
| ed Constitution or form of government, which
was ratified by them and whereas the Gene
raj Assembly of Virginia, by an act passed or
| the fourth of March, in the year one thousanc
| eight hundred and fifty, did provide Tor TIT
election by the people Of delegates to meet II
| general Convention to consider, discuss, anc
propose new Constitution, or alterations anC
! amendments to the existing Constitution o.
this Commonwealth and by an act passed or
the thirteenth of March, in the year one thou
sand eight hundred and fifty-one, did further
provide for submitting the same to the people
| for ratification or rejection; and the same
having been submitted accordingly, was rati
| fed by them; and whereas the General As