Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-07-09

very large majority Clause ~, Section
L, Article III aud Section VII, Article
Ill were then voted out, so Il at they
must be considered now as f,rn z nc
longer part of that instrument.
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTs, made by thu
good people of Virginia, assembled IN FIJI
and free Conuen'ion, chich rights d. per-
tain 70 them and their posterify, as he 6d.
fts GQ Foundation of Government.
That all men are by nature free and
Ind pendent, and have certain Inherent
CUTS, of which, when they enter into q
state Of society, they cannot, by any com
pacr, deprive or divest their Ios Gritty
Baiuely, the enjoyment OF life and liberty
with the means of acquiring aud y iessinr
property, and pursuing and obtaining hap
pintss and safety.
2. That this State shall ever remain u
member OF the United States Of America
and that the people thereof are part OF tn
American nation, aud that all attemp's
from whatever source, or upon whatever
pretext, to dissolve said Union or to sever
ssid nation, are Unauthorized and ought t.
be resisted with the whole power of the
Sac.
, That the Constitution Of the United
Ss'cs, and the laws Of Congress, passed IN
pursuance hereof consptufe rhe supreme
Las of the land, to watch paramount hlii ri
snce and ubedieuce are due from ovSr,
citizen, anything Ia he Constitution, ordi
IAN ser or laws Of any State to the contrary
hOtw ,thsi8adirg,
4. That all pIwer is vested in, ard cor
scquently derived from, the people that
p.BgtstTates are their trustees and servants.
aud at all times amenable 10 them.
5. That government is, or onght to he
In tinted for the common bepefi', protec-
tton nj security OF the people, nation or
c, nlfhonity OF all the vdruus modes and
70. mo Of government, that is best which Is
caPsb Of producing the greatest degree
of happiress aud safety, aud is most eff.
fectuSlly secured against the danger Of NAL
adm nstraiiOD anu that when any q veru
inent shall be found inadequate or cOntrar,
To these purposes, majority OF tho com
muniy hath an in ubitabF, inallenable and
indeieosible right to reform, alter or abel sl
il, in such manner as shall b. judged most
Conducive To the public veal.
6. That no man, or set of men, are cnti
tied to exclusive or separate moluments OF
privileges from the community, but 10 con.
sideration Of public services which, npi
being dc scendible, neither ought the off e.,
of magistrate, legislator or j idge to b,
hereditary.
7. That the Legislative, executive aud
Judicial powers should be separate and dis
tinct and that the members thereof may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling
aud participating the burthens of the pep
pie, they should, at fixed periods, be re-
duced to a private station, return into tina
hOdy Fen which they were originally taken
and the vacancies he supplied by frequent
certain aud regular elections, 10 which al
.r any part Of the former members To b.
fgain ella lille or incl sible, as the laws Ia
direct.
g. That all elections u ,ht to be free, an
that all men, having sufficient evidences u
permanent common interest with, and at
tachment to, the community, have the righ
of suffrage, and cant OF be taxed or deprive'
OF their prop~ity for public uses, wiihOu
their own consent, or that of their repre-
seniatives so elected, nor bound by any la
20 which they have not in like manner as
sonted, for the public good.
3. That all power of suspending laws, O
the execution of laws by any authority
without the consent Of the Representative
of the people, Is injurious to their r gut
and ought rot TO be exercised.
J0 That in all capital or criminal prose
outionss man hath a right TO demand tn
cause and nature Of his accusations, TO b
confronted with the accusers and witnesses
10 call for evidence In his favor, and to
speedy trial by an impartial jury of his v
cinage, without whose unanimous consen
he cannot be found guilty nor can he b
compelled TO give evidence sg inst himself
that no man be deprived of his liberty, o,
cept by the law of the land or the judgmer
of his peers.
IL. That excessive bail ought not 10 :
required, nor excessive fines impcs ID, nj
cruel and unusual punishment Inflicted.
IL. That general warrants, whereby O
tfiicer or messenger may be commanded
search suspected places without evidenC
Of a fact committed, or to seizs any perso
br persons not named, or whose offence
not particularly described aud supporte
by evidence, sre gritvous and oppressiv
and ought not to be- granted.
IS. That In controversies respectir
property, aud in suits between man at
man, the trial by jury is preferable to az
other, aud ought to be held sacred.
"a. That the freedom of the press is OF
Of the great bulwarks Of liberty, and ca
never be restrained but by despotic govern
menss, and any citizen may speak, writ
and publish his sentiments on all subject
being responsible for the abuse Of that ll
eTty. 100
is. Thst a well regulated militia, con
posed Of the body Of the people, trained
aims. Is the proper, natural and safe d
Tense Of free State that standing armie
IN time of peace, should be avoided, as da
gorous to liberty, aud that IN al cases Il
MILITARY should he under strict subordin
lion to, and governed by the civil power.
10, That the people have a right TO NJ
form government and, therefore. that
government separate from, or independe
OF, the Government Of Virginia ought to
erected or established within the lin
thereof
~. That no free government, or I
blessings of liberty, can he preserved TO a
people but by firm adherence 10 justi,
moderation, temperance and virtue, aud
afrequsnt recurrence to fundamental pr
ciples.
Is. That religion, or the duty which
owe TO our creator, aud the manner OF d
charging II, eau be directed only by reas
and conviction, not by force or voenc
and, therefore, all men are equally entitl
20 the free exercise Of religion according
she dictates OF conscience aud that 4
the mutual duty Of sll to practice Christi
forbesrance, love and charity towards 90
other.
TO- That neither slavery nor involuntu
setvitude, except as lawful imprisonm'
may constitute such, shall exist within
State.
20. That Gil citizens OF the State
hereby declared to possess equal civil q
political rights aud public privileges.
81. The rights enumerated In this Bill
Rights shall not be construed TO limit oil
rights Of the people no. therein espresso
The declaration Of the political rights I
privileges OF the inhabitants of this St
Is hereby declared to be a part OF tho c
stitution Of this Commonwealth, and Il
not be violated on any preienco whatey,
ARTICLE
DIVISION or POWERS.