Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-04-21
The Proposed Constitution with us
Alterations from, and Additions 10,
the Constitution oflsS1.
!; So pPEAMBLE &

the Constitution OflSS1. i
Si # PREAMBLE.
The preamble recites the formation OF the
constitution in l776, its amendment In 1879,
and in 1861, copied from the old constitution
verbatim, and adds the following
And whereas the General Assembly OF Elr,
oinia by an act passed on the 2lst day OF De- e.,
eember. n the year 1863, did provide for the
election, by tue people, Of delegates to meet IN
general convention to consider, discuss and
kadopt alterations and amendments to the ex-
istinr constitution of this Commonwealth, the
deleentes so assembled did, therefore, having
maturely considered the premises, adopt
revised and amended constitution as the form
of government Of Virginia. -,
And whereas the Congress Of the u: 5. dld,
by an act passed on the I'd day Of March, 1867,
and entitled ran act to- provide tor the ), more
efficient government of the rebel States, and
bv acts, supplementary thereto, passed on the
I 23rd day Of March and the 10Th day. OF July,
in the Year, 1867, provide for the election by
the people ofcVirginia qualified TO vote under
the provisions of said acts OF delegates to meet
| III convention to frame a Constitution or
form of Government for Virginia, IN
conformity with said acts, and by the. same
acts did further provide for the submitting OF
such constitution TO the qualified voters Tor
! ratification OF rejection a..1p,N s.@12u =.
We, therefore, the delegates OF the good
| pcopIc Of Wireiliia, elected and Ill convention
/ assembled, in pursuance Of said acts, invoking
! the favor and guidance. OF Almighty God. 90
propose to tho people the following Constltu-
! ion and Form Of Government lor>thS Com
monweaIth:il2aH ,.p;.oq'nL .rrgl%"I"ao
BILL oFRlGnTS., I.aH 2ny!at
H. l.. That all mon are by mature equally Tree
notwithstanding, and have certain inherent
'rights Of which, when they enter into . state
| Of goc;cty, thoy cannot by any compact deprive
! or divcstllieirer Iostcrity, namely: the cbjoy-
nietIt-o life aBd;liberty, with the means Of &C.
4 (uuiring.and possessing property, and pursuing
and obtaining happiness and safety. -. '.,. !
1w III That this State shall ever remain u
member Of the United States of America, and
! that The people thereof arc part OF the Aincrl-
can nation, and that all attempts, from what
ever source, or upon whatever preteIt,to dis
solve said Union or 10 sever said nation arc5un-
authorized, and ought to be resisted With the
whole power of the State, . .--.
LIE That the Constitution Of the United
States, and the laws Of Congress passed in pur-
s1lanca ihercof constitute the supreme law Of
the land, to which paramount allegiance and
obedience arc due from every citizen, anything
| in the Constitution, ordinances, or laws OF any
State to Che contrary notwithstanding. ,.--u-
The other sections, down to section XIV,
arc rerbutinl copies OF sections Ill TO Nl, IN
elusive of the old Virginia Bill OF Rights OK
cept that this is provided that trials byjury
shall be by an5impartial jury ofhs vdIclnagee,
1 of no; particular number, instead OF IAN i'm
martial Jury OF twelve men of his vicnagc, as
the old Bill Of Rrights required :. >-. ~: 49,.
i VIM Tbof fbn 4r.ooInTo IF tho Orncc ia nDn
of tho great bulwarks of liberty, and can never
be restrained but by despotic governments, and
any citizen may spca K, ' write. and publish his
sentiments on all subjects. being responsible
for the abuse of that liberty, .....
+, PThe other sections, down to section NIX,
! arc verbntzne copies of sections XIII to XVI,
inclusive of the old Virginia Bill Of Rights.
The following are added .a. a.... ..
| KIN That neither slavery nor involuntary
scrvitude except as lawful imprisonment may
constitute such, shall exist within this State
Xxx That all citizens of the State are here
by declared to possess equal civil and political
rights and public privileges. ...
| XXI. The rights enumerated in this Bill OF
Rights shall not be construed to limit other
rights of the people not therein expressed.
! XXI. The declaration Of the political
rights and privileges of the inhabitants OF this
State is hereby declared to be a part Of the
Constitution Of this Commonwealth, and shall
not be violated on any prctencc whatever.
-r. =. ARTICLE II. ....
... .-.. DIVISION OF POWERS.
The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary
Departments shall be separate and distinct, so
| that neither exercise the powers properly be.
longing to either Of the other; nor shall any
person exercise the power OF moro than one of
them at the same time except as hereinafter
provided.
ARTICLE III.
| ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
Sec. |. Every male citizen of the United
| States, twcnty-one years old, who shall have
| been a resident of this State twelve months,
and the county, city or town in which he
shall offer to vote, three months next preced-
ing any election, shall be entitled to vote upon
all questions submitted to the people at such
election: Provided, That no officer, soldier,
seaman or marine the United States army or
navy shall be considered q resident of this
State by reason Of being stationed therein ::
And, provided also That tho following per-
sons shall be excluded FROM voting ... ..
|. Idiots and lunatice. r..s- .... ."
"a Persons convicted CT bribery in any cleo
ton, cmbczzlement Of public funds, treason, or
felony ."' a..
3. No person who, while = citizen Of this
State, has, since the adoption Of this Coustitu
| ion. fought "a duel with 4 dead y weapon, seut
uIiacccptcd achacnge to fight q duel with u
deadly weapon, either within Or beyond the
boundaries Of tiiis State, Or knowingly con-
vcyCl IL cbul!Gnge, Or aided or assisted in any
manner 10 fighting a duel, shall be allowed to
vote or hold any office Of fouor, profit, or
trust, under this Constitution ~.-.u~ y -
i EVERY rnrS0n who has hcnn = Snuatir a.,
representative in Congress, or clcctor Of Pre,i-
dent or Vice President, or who hcld amy Office,
civil or military, under the United States or
under any State, who having previously taken
an oath rs = member Of Congress or. as IN Off
Ger Of the United States, or as a member Of any
State Legislature, or rs an executive or judi.
cieal officer Of anI Stale. Silall have cngaccl In