The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-18

magistrates are their trustees and servants,
and at all times amenahle to them.
D. That government is, or ought to be,
instituted for the common benefit, protec-
"oA, and security Of the people, nation, or
community Of all the various modes and
forms OF government that is best which il
capable OF producing the greatest degree Of
naFpiness and safety, and is most efcctu-
any secured against the Danger Of rnalad-
mlnlstrasion and that when any govern
ment shall be found inadequate or contrary
10 these purposes majority OF the com
munity hath en- indubitable, inalienable,
ana indefeasible right to reform, alter, or
abolish il in such manner as shall be
judged most conducive to the public weGl.
.. mat no men, or set OF men, are emit
ucd to exclusive or soparate emoluments OF,
privileges from the community but in con-
sldera'lon Of public services which. not
being descendib!e, neither ought the Offices
OF magistrate, legislator, Or judge, to be
hereditary.
I. That the legislative, executive, and
judicial powers should be separate and dis
unot; and that the members thereof may
be restrained from oppression by feeling
and participating the hurthens of the peo-
pie they should, at fixed periods, be re-
duced to private station, return into that
body from which they were originally
taken, and the vacancies be supplied by
frequent, certain, and regular elections, in
which all or any part Of the former mem
bers TO be again eligible or Ineligible, az
the laws shall direct.
s. That all elections ought to be free, and
that all men having sufficient evidence or
permanent common interest with, and at
tachment to, the community have the
right Of suffrage, and cannot be taxed or
deprived of their property for public uses
without their own consent, or that Of their
representatives so elected, nor bound b.
any law 10 which they have not in like
manner assented for the public good.
8. That all power of suspending laws, Or
the execution of laws, by any authority
without the consent Of the repres entative8
Of the people, is injurious to their rights,
ard ought not to be exercised.
10. That in all capital or criminal prose
cutions q man hath O right to demand the
cause and nature Of his accusations, to be
confronted with the accusers and witnesses,
to call for evidence in his favor, and to 4
speedy trial by an impartial jury of his
7icinage, without whose unanimous con-
sent he cannot De found guilty nor can he
be compelled to give evidence against him
self; that no man be deprived Of his liberty
except by the law of the land or the judg-
ment of his peers.
IL. That excessive bail ought not to be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishment inflicted,
II. That general warrants whereby an
officer or messenger may be commanded to
search suspected places without evidence
Of a fact committed, or to seize any person
or persons not named, or whose offence is
not particularly described ami supported
By evidence, are grievous and oppressive,
and ought not to be granted,
-. That IN controversies respecting pro-
perty, and in suits between man and man,
the trial by jury is preferable to any other,
and ought to tie held sacred.
"a. That the freedom Of the press IS ono
of the great bulWarks Of liberty, and eau
never DO restrained but by despoiic gov
ernmeats, and any citizen may speak,
write, and publish his sentiments on az
subjects, being responsible for the abuse Of
that liberty.
Is. That wcll-regulated militia, COM
posed of the body of the people, trained to
arms, is the proper, natural, and safe &C.
fence OF a free State; that standing armies
in time of peace should be avoided 90 dan
gerous to liberty, and that IN all cases the
military should be under strict subordlua-
ton 10, and governed by, the civil power.
l6. That the people have a right to uni
form government, aud therefore that no gov
eminent separate from or independent OF The
government Of Virginia ought to be erected
or established within the limits thereof.
II. That no free government or toe
blessings Of liberty Can be preserved to
any people bat by firm adherence to JUS
tice, moderation, temperance, and virtue,
end by o frequent recurrence to funda-
mental principles.
is. That religion, or the duty which re
owe to our Creator, and the maur sr ct dis
charging it, can be directed only ~ reason
and conviction, not by force or Yio!enco !;
and therefore all men are equally entitled
TO the free exercise Of religion according to
the dictates os conscience, and that it Is the
mutual d4ty OF all to practice Christian
foraearance, love, and charity, towards each
other.
10. That neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude, except as lawful imprisonment
may constitute such, shall exist within this
State.
90. That all citizens of the State ere
hereby declared to possess equal civil and
political rights and public privileges.
81. The rights enumerated in this Eill OF
RIGHTS shall not be construed to limit
ether rights of the people not therein e2-
pressed.
The declaration Of the political rights
and privileges of the inhabitants Of this
State is hereby declared to be part Of the
Constitution Of this Commonwealth, and
shall not be violated on any pretence what
ever.
ARTICLE II.
DIVISION OF POWERS.
The legislative, executive, and judiciary
departments shall be separate anu DISTINCT
60 tina. neither exercise the powers pro-
perly belonging to either of the others !;
nor shall any person exercise the power OF
more than one of them at the same time,
except as hereinafter provided.
ARTICLE III.
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE AND QUALIFICATIONS
FOR OFFICE.
SECTION l. Every male citizen Of the
United States twenty-one years old, who
shall have been 8 resident Of this State
twelve months, and of the county, city, or
town in which he shall offer to vote three
months next preceding any election, shall
be entitled to vote upon all questions sub
mitted to the people at such election Pro-
vided, That 10 officer, soldier, seaman, or
marine Of the United States army or navy
shall be considered resident Of this State