Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-02-12
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

DECLARATION Ot KlGHIS.
Sec l. All m-a are born free and equal
endowed by their Creator with certain inalien-
able rights, among which may be reckoned
the right of enjoying and defending their
lives and liberties. acquiring, possessing and
protecting property, and seeking and obtain
ns their safety and happiness.
SEC. ,. Slavery shall not exist in this
State, nor Involuntary servitude, otherwise
than for the punishment Of crime, whereof
the party shali been duly convicted.
SEC. 3. All political poweris vested in and
derived from the people only therefore they
have the right. at all times, to modify their
form of government in such marner as they
may deem cxpedient wbcn the public good
demands.
SEC. 4. Every citizen of this State owes
paramount allegiance to the Constitution and
Government Of the United States, and no
lay or ordinance of this State in coutraven-
ton or subYersion thereof can have any bind
ing force.
SEC. 5. This State shall ever remain a
member of the American Union, and all at
temp;s, from whatever source, or upon what
ever pretext, 10 dissolve said Union, ought to
be resisted with the whole power of the State
Sec. G. The right Of the people, peaccably
to assemble 70 consult for the common good
and to petition the government, or any de-
partment thereof, shall never be abridged.
SEC. :. All persons resident in this State,
born in the United States, or who have been
natura'iz ID, ard shall have legally become
citizens Of the United States are hereby de-
cared citizens OF South Carolina, possessing
equal civil aud political rights and public
privileges as hereinafter declared by this con.
sntution.
SEC. s. All persons may freely speak,
write and publish their sentiments on any
subject, being responsible for the abuse OF
that right; and no laws shall be enacted to
restrain or abridge the liberty Of speech or
of the press.
SEC. 9. In prosecutions for the publication
of papers investigating the official conduct Of
Officers or men in public capacity, or when
the matter published is proper for public in
formation, the truth thereof may be given in
evidence; and that in all indictments for Ii
bel, the Jury shall have the right to determine
the law aud the facts under the direction Of
the court.
On motion of Mr.. Holmes, the first section
was amended by striking out the words,
"may be reckoned," in the sentence encme-
rating the inalienabe rights, so as 20 read
"among which are the rights" aud passed 70
its third reading.
Mr.. B. o. Duncan moved to amend the
second section by inserting the words " except
as punishment for crme" in lieu Of other
wise than," which was adopted, and the sec
ton passed to its third reading.
The third section, after various motions to
amend, ali of which were defeated, passed to
its third reading.
Section 4tb, asserting the paramount allie
glance of the citizen to the Government of
the United States was unanimously adopted
without amendment or discussion.
Section 5th, declaring that this State shall
ever remain State Of the American Union,
was also unanimously adopted, with aD
amendment providing that all attempts to
dissolve said Union shall be resisted with the
whole power of the State.
Section 9Th, forbidding any abridgement of
the right of peaceful assemblages of the peo.
ME to consult for the common good, was also
adopted unanimously, without amendment.
Section I, in relation to citizenship, after
lengthy discussion. participated in by Messrs.
Bowen, Cardoza, Whittemore, DeLarge, Mo
ses, Chamberlain, Duncan, Donaldson, Wright
ard others, on motion, was stricken out.
S, c.ion s, providing for the freedom of
speech and liberty CT the press, was adopted
without amendment or debate.
Mr.. F. j. Moses. Jr., moved reconsidera-
zion of the vote by which section ID was
adopted.
The motion was carried, and Mr.. Moses
proposed the following amendment, which
was adopted:
Slavery shall never exist in this State;
neither shall involuntary ser7itude except as
punishment for C me.
Section 9th, er 4cing the manner Of pros
ecutions for the ,lication of papers and in
vestigating the ficial conduct of officers,
vas taken up and discussed.
Pending motion to postpone its further
consideration until tomorrow, and that one
of the solicitors be requested to give his opin.
ion on the section, the Convention adjourned.
TWENTIETH DAY.