Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-24
ARTICLE |


Section /. That all power is inherent
i'll the people, and all free governments
are founded on their authority, and insti-
tuted for their peace, safety, and happi-
ness; for the advancement of those ends
they have at all times, an unalienable and
indefeasiblc right to alter, reform, or
abolish the government in such manner as
they may think proper.
Sec. 2. That government being insti-
tutcd for the common benefit, the doctrine
Of non-resistance against arbitrary power
and oppression is absurd, slayish, and de-
struCtive of the good and happiness Of
mankind.
Sec. 8. That all men have natural
and indefcasible right to worship Al
mighty God according to the dictates of
their own conscience; that no man can,
of right, be compelled to attend, erect, or
support any place of worship, or TO
maintain any minister against his consent;
that no human authority can, in any case,
whatever, control or interfere with the
rights of conscience; and that no prefer
ence shall ever be given, by law. to any
religious establishment or mode Of wor-
ship.
Sec. 4. That no religious or political
test, other than an oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, and of
this State, shall ever be required as a
qualification to any Office Or public trust
under tins State.
Sec. 3. That elections shall be free and
equal, and the right of suffrage, as herein
after declared, shall never be denied to
any person entitled thereto, except upon
convictio%by jury of some Infamous
crime, previously asccrtaincd and declared
by law, and judgment therein by court
of competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 6. That the right of trial by jury
shall remain inviolatc, and no rcligic us or
political test shall ever be required as a
qualification for jurors.
Sec. Z. That the people shall be secure
in their persons, houses, papers and pos
sessions from unreasonable searches and
seizures, and that general warrants, where
by an officer may be commanded to search
suspected places, without evidence of the
fact committed, or to seize any person or
persons not named, whose Offcnses are not
particularly described and supported by
evidence, are dangerous to liberty, and
ought not to be granted.
Sec. s. That no man shall be taken or
imprisoned, or disseizcd of his freehold,
liberties or privileges, or outlawed, or eX-
lied, OF in any manner destroyed, or de-
prived of his life, liberty, or property, but
by the judgment of his pG,rs, or the law
of the land.
Sec. 9. That in all criminal prosecu-
tons, the accused hath a right to be heard
by himself and his counsel; to demand
the nature and cause of the accusation
against him, and to have a copy thereof :;
to meet the witnesses face to face; to
have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor; and in prOScCU-
tions by Indictment or prescntmcnt, a
speedy public trial, by an impartial jury
of the county in which the crime shall
have been committed; and shall not be
compelled to give evidence against him
self.
Sec. 10. That no person shall, for the
same offense, be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb.
Sec. II. That laws made for the pun
ishment of acts committed previous to the
existence of such laws, and by them only
declared criminal, are contrary to the
principle of a free government; where
fore no cX post factO law shall be made.
Sec. u. That no conviction shall work
corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.
The estate of such persons as shall de-
stroy their own lives, shall descend or
vest as in case of natural death. If any
person be killed by casualty there shall
be no forfeiture in consequence thereof.
FEC. 10. That no person arrested and
confined in jail shall be treated with I'M
necessary rigor.
Sec. II. That no person shall be put
to answer any criminal charge, but by
prcsentment, Indictment, or impeachment.
Sec. 10. That all prisoners shall be bail
able by sufficient sureties, unless for CAPT
tai offcnses, when the proof is evident or
the presumption great. And the privilege
of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when, in case of rebel
lion or invasion, the General Assembly
shall declare the public safety requires it,
Sec 16. That excessive bail shall not
| be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishmcnts in
ficted.
Sec. II. That all courts shall be open;
| opJ ovnrv mon for on injury done him iT