The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-24
ARTICLE |.

established and that the relations Of this State to the
Union and government of the United States and those
of the people of this State to the rest of the American
people, may be defined and affirmed, we do declare:
Section l. That We hold it to be self-evident that
all men created equal; that they are endowed
by their Greater with certain unallenable rights
that among these iife liberty, the enjoyment OF
thefruits of their labor, and the pursuit OF hap
piness.
Sec 2. That all political power is vested in, and
derived from the people; all government of right
originates from the people, is founded upon their VIII
only and is instituted solely for the good of the whole
Sec 8. That the people of this State have the in
heren sole and exclusive ri ht of regulating the IN
ternal government and policy thereof and of altering
and abolshng their Constitution and form of govern
ment whenever it may be necessary to their safety
and happiness, but every such right should be ex-
ercised in pursuance of law and consistently with
the Constitution of the United States.
Sec. f. That this State shall ever remain a member
Of the American Union, that the people thereof
part of the American nation; that there IS right
the part of this State secede and that all at
tempts from whatever source or upon whatever pre-
text, 20 dissolve said Union, to said nation,
ought to be resisted with the whole power of the
State.
Sec. 5. That every citizen Of this State para
mount allegiance to the Constitution and Government
of the United States and that no law ordinance of
the State in eontravention subversion thereof
have any binding force.
Sec. &. To maintain the honor and good faith of
the State untarnished the public debt regularly
tracted before and since the rebellion shall be re-
garded as inviolable and never be questioned; but
the State shall never assume pay, or, authorize
the collection Of any debt Obligation expressed or
implied incurred in aid of instruction rebellion
against the United States any claim for the loss
Or emancipation of any slave.
See. ]. No man set of men entitled to exclu
sive OF separate emoluments or privileges from the
community but in consideration of public services.
Sec. 8. The Legislative, Executive and Supreme
Judicial powers OF the government ought to be for
ever separate and distinct from each other.
g. O 81 a the
ton of laws, by any authority, without the consent
of the representatives Of the people, is injurious to
their rights and ought not to be exercised
Sec. 10. All elections ought to be free.
Sec. H. In all criminal prosecutions, every man
has the right to be informed of the accusation against
him and to confront the accusers and witnesses with
other testimony and to have counsel for his Defence
and not be compelled to give evidence against himself
or to pay costs Jail fees necessary witness fees of
the defence unless found guilty.
Sec. H. No person shall be put to answer any
criminal charge, except hereinafter allowed, but
by Indictment, presenment, or Impeachment.
Sec. l3. No person shall be convicted of any crime
but by the unanimous verdict of a jury of good and
lawful in open court. The Legislature may,
however, provide other of trial for petty mis-
demeanors with the right of appeal
Sec. IA. Excessive bail should not be required
excessive fines imposed, cruel or unusual punish
uents inflicted.
See. Is. General warrants whereby any officer or
messenger may be commanded search suspected
places, without evidence of the act committed to
eelZe any person or persons not named whose offence
is not particularly described and supported by evil
dence, arc dangerous to liberty and ought not to be
granted.
Sec. 16 There shall be no Imprisonment for debt
In this State except in cases of fraud.
Sec. IL. No person ought to be taken, imprisoned
dsseized of his freehold, liberties privileges
outlawed, exiled, in any manner deprived of
his life, liberty, or property but by the law Of the
land.
Sec. 49, Every person restrained of his liberty, is
entitled to remedy to inquire into the lawfuncss
thereof, and to remove the same, if unlawful and
such remedy ought not to be denied or delayed
Sec 10. In all controversies at law respecting pro-
perty, the ancient mode Of trial by jury is of the
best securities of the rights of the people, and ought
10 remain sacred and inviolable.
Sec. 90. The freedom of the press is of the
great bulwarks of liberty and therefore ought
to be restrained, but every individual shall be held
responsible for the abuse of the same.
Sec 81 The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
shall not be suspended
Sec. D. As political rights and privileges are
dependent upon modified by property, therefore
property qualification ought to effect the right to
vote or hold office.
Sec. % The people of this State ought not to be
taxed, made subject to the payment of any impos
duty, without the consent of themselves, their
representatives in General Assembly freely given.
Sec. "A. well regulated militia being necessary
to the security of free State the right the people
to keep and bear arms shall not be infrnged; and
standing armies. in time of peace, dangerous to
liberty. they ought not to be kept up, and the military
governed by, the civil power.
Sec. 20 The people have right TO assemble to-
gether TO consult for their common good to instruct
their representatives and to apply to the Legislature
for redress of grievances.
Sec. &c. All men have a natural and unalienable
right to worship Almighty God according to the die
tates of their own conscences. and human author
ity should in any case whatever, control interfere
with the rights of conscience.
See. 81 The people have a right to the privileges
Ct education and it is the duty oftLe State guard
and maintain that right
Sec. %. For redress of grievances and for amend
ing and strengthening the laws, elections should be
often held
principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the
blessings of liberty.
Sec. so. No hereditary emouments privileges or
honors ought to be granted conferred this State
Sec. 81 Perpetuities and monopolies are contrary
to the genius Of free State, and ought not to be
allowed.
Sec. 81. Retrospective laws. furnishing acts COM
Eted before the existence of such Laws and by them
only declared criminal, oppressive, unjust and
incompatible with liberty wherefore sr post facto
law ought to be made No law taxing retrospective
1y sales, purchases, other acts previously done
ought to be passed.
Sec. 3d. Slavery aud involuntary scryitude, other
wise than for crime whereof the parties shall have
been duly convicted shall be, and are hereby forever
prohibited within this State.
Sec. "a. The limits and boundaries Of the State
shall be and remain as they now
Sec. 30. All courts shall be OPEN and every person
for injury done him in his lands goods person or
reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law
and right and justice administered without SALE de-
NAL or delSy.
Sec. sc. No soldier shall in time of peace be quar-
tered in any house without the of the ow
nor in time Of war, but in manner prescribed by
law
See. 81. Ehis enumeration OF rights shall not be
construed to Impair deny others, retained by the