Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-02-11

As compared with the constitution adopted
by the people in 1851 and the changes noted
The preamble recites the formation Of thu
constitution in 1776, its amendment in 1925
and in 1851 copied from the old c%onstitu
ton vel batim, and adds the following:
And whereas the General Assembly O
Virginia, by an act passed on the twenty
first day Of December, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, die
provide for the election, by the people. O.
delegates to meet in general convention tt
consider, discuss and adopt alterations ane
amendments to the existing constitution o.
this Commonwealth, the delegates so assem-
bled did, therefore. having maturely consid.
cred the premises, adopt a revised and amen.
ded constitution as the form Of government
of Virginia.
And whereas the Congress Of the United
States did, by an act passed on the second
day of March, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-seven, and entitled San
act to provide for the more efficient govern
ment Of the rebel States" and by acts sup
Elementary thereto, passed on the twenty
third day of March and the nineteenth day
of July, in the year one thousand eight hun
bred and sizty-seven, provide for the cleo
ton, by the people Of Virginia qualified
to vote under the provisions of said acts, of
delegates to meet in convention to frame a
constitution or form of government for Vir-
ginia, in conformity with said acts /; and by
the same acts did further provide for the
submitting of such constitution to the quail
fed voters for ratification or rejection.
We, therefore, the delegates of the good
people of Virginia. elected and in convention
assembled, in pursuance Of said acts, invo-
king the favor and guidance of Almighty
God, do propose to the people the following
Constitution and Form Of Government for
this Commonwealth i+ sisu
I. That all men are by nature equally
free and independent, and have certain in
herent rights, Of which, when they enter into
a state Of society, they cannot by any COM
pact deprive or diyest their posterity, namely;
the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the
means of acquiring and possessing property
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and
safety.
II. That this State shall ever remain a
member of the United States of America and
that the people thereof are part of the Anne
rican nation. and that all attempts, from
whatever source, or upon whatever pretext
to dissolve said Union or to sever said nation
are unauthorized, and ought to be resisted
with the whole power of this State.
III. That the Constitution Of the United
States, and the laws of Congress passed in
pursuance thereof, constitute the supreme
law of the land, to which paramount allegi-
ance and obedience are due from every citi-
zen, anything in the Constitution, ordinan-
ces or laws Of any State to the contrary not
withstanding.
THE other sections, down to section XIV
are verbotim copies Of sections II to XII, in
elusive Of the old Virginia Bill Ct Rights,
except that this is provided that trials by
jury shall be by an Impartial jury of his
vicinage," of no particular number, instead
of "an impartial jury of teezye men Of his
vicinage," as the old Bill Of Rights requir-
ed.
XIV. That the freedom of the press is
one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and
can never be restrained but by despotic gov
ernments, and any citizen may speak, write
and publish his sentiments on all subjects,
being responsible for the abuse Of that liber-
ty.
THE other sections, down to section XIX
are uer5atiim copies Of sections XIII toXVI
inclusive Of the old Virginia Bill of Rights.
The following added
XIX. That neither slavery nor involun-
tary seryitude, except as laWful imprison-
ment may constitute such, shall exist within
this State.
Xxx. That all citizens of the State are
hereby 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 ex-
pressed.
XXI. The declaration of the political
rights and privileges of the inhabitants of
this State is hereby declared to be q part OF
the Constitution Of this Commonwealth, and
shall not be violated on any pretence what
ever.
ARTICLE RI.