The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-15

I. The present seal OF the State,
with It's motto, "Mouiani Scmper
Liberi,' shall be the great seal of the
State Of West Virginia, and shall be
kept b. the Secretary Of State, to be
used, by him, officially as directed by
law.
S. Writs, grants and commissions,
issued under the authority of this State,
shall run in the name Of and Official
bonds shall be made payable to, the
State Of West Virginia. In1ictment.
shall conclude, Against the peace and
dignity OF the State"
ART. IIE.-BM of RigLh.-AlI
men are, by nature, equally free and
independent, and have certain iuher,
ent rights, Of which, when they enter
into q state Of society, they cannot, By
any compact, deprive or diyest their
po,teriiy, namely: the enjoyment o.
Of life and liberty, with the means oil
acquiring and possessing property, aud
of pursuing and obtaining happiness
and safety.
Q. All power is vested in and couse,
qqcatly derived from the people. Mag.
istrates are heir trustees aud servants
and at all times amcnablc to them.
8. Government is instituted for the
common benefit, protection and securi
ty Of the people, nation or community
OF oil its various forms thatis tho best
which is capable Of producing til,
greatest degree ofhappiness and safety
and is most efIectually secured againsl
the darger Of NAL administration and
when any government shall be found
inadequate or contrary to these pur,
poses, a majority Of the community
has an iniubitablc, iBalienable, and IN,
dcfeaSiblO right to reform, alter oil
abolish it in such manner as shall b.
Judged most conducive to the public
veal.
4. The privilege of the writ o
hrLcaI corpus shall not be suspended
No person shall be held to answer fOl
treason, felony or other crime not cog
: nizable by justice. unless on present
mcnt Or iudictmcn. of q grand jury
No bill Of attaindcr, or post tac'o law
or law impairing tho obligation Of
contract, shall be passed.
5. Excessive bail shall not be re
quirsd, nor excessive fines imposed
nor cruel and unusual punishncn,s in
aicted. Penalties shall Lc proportional
to the character aud degree Of the Of
tense. No person shall be Transported
out Of, or forced to leave the State, fol
any offcnsc committed within til,
same; nor shall any person, in on,
criminal case. be compelled to be
witness agains. himself, or be twic,
put in jeopardy oflife or liberty for tn,
same ofense.
9. The right Of tue citizens to be Sc
cure in their houses, persons, paper
and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not DO vi
olated. No warrant shall issue cxcep
upon probable cause, supported By
oath or affirmation, particularly de,
scribing the place to Ic searched, OF
the person or thing to be seized.
I, No law abridging tue freedom oil
speech, or Of the press, shall be passed.
but the Legislature may, by suitable
penalties, restrain tho publication oil
sale of obscene books, papers, or pic.
lures, and provide for tue punishment
Of libel, and defamation ofcharactcr,
and for the recovery, 10 civil actions
by tho nggrievcd party, of suitable
damages for such libel, or defamation.
s. 10 prosecutions, and ciyil suit.
for libel, the truth may may be given
in evidence; and if it shall appear to
the jury. that the matter charged u,
libelOuS, is true, and was published
with good motives, and for justiiiablC
ends, the verdict shall b. for the de.
PENDANT.
0. Private property shall not be
taken or damaged for public use, with.
out just compensation nor shall the
Same be taken by any company. in.
corpOratcd for the purposes Of internal
improvement, until Just compensation
shall have been paid, or secured to 10
paid, to the owner; and when private
property shall be taken, or damaged =,
for public use, or for the use of such
corporations, the compensation TO the
owner shall be asCertained in such
manner, as mOy be prescribed by gen.
cral Law, provided, that when required
by citkcr Of the parties. such cOmpcn.
satiOn shall be asccriaiacd by an i'm.
partial jury Oftwelvc freeholicrs.
10. No person shall be deprived Of
life, liberty or property without due
process Of law, and the Judgment Of
his peers.
II. Political tests requiring persons,
as prOreq uisite to the enjoyment Of
their civil and political rights. to purge
themselves by their own paths, Of past
alleged oifenses, arc rcpugnant to the
principles Of free government, and arc
cruel and oppressive. No religious or
political test oath shall be required as
a prerequisite or qualification to vote,
serve as juror. sue, plead, appeal or
pursue. any profession, or employment.
Nor shall any person be deprived By
law, Of any right, Orprivilcgc. because
OF any act don prior to tue passage Of
such law.
IL Standing armies 10 fine Of ns,co