The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-04-25

happiness anu sa'cty, anu Is ulost euec'uai'
ly secured against the danger Of mal-ad-
ministra,ion; and when any government
shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, a majority Of the commun-
ity. has an indubitatle, inaleuable. and
indcfeasible right to reform. alter or abolish
it in such manner as shall be Judged most
conducive to the public veal
4. The privilege ofthe writ Of hateas
corpus shall not be suspended No person
shall be held to answer for treason, felony
or other crime not cosuizable by ajustice,
unless on presentment or indictment Of a
grand jury. No bill Of at;aiuder, ca post
fucto law, or law impairing the obligation
Of contract. shall be passed
5 Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel aud
unusual puuishmeuts inflicted. Penalties
shall be proportioned to the character and
degree Of the offence. No person shall he
transported out of, or forced to leave the
State, for any offence committed within the
same; nor shall any person. in any criminal
case, be compelled TO be witness against
himself, or be twice put 10 jeopardy Of life
or liberty for the same offence.
6. The right Of the citiz,ns to be secure
10 their houses, persons, papcrsand effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated No warrant shall issue
except upon probable cause, supported by
oath or affirmation. particularly describing
the place to be searched, Or the person or
thing to be seized
7. No law abridging the freedom Of
speech. or of the press. shall be passed; but
the Legislature may by suitable penalties
restrain the publication or sale of obscene
books, papers, or pitcurcs, and provide for
the punishment of libel, and defamation of
character. and for tue recovery. in civil ac.
,ions, by the aggrievcd party, ofsuitable
damages for such libel, of defamation.
s. In prosecutions, and civil suits for
libel. the truth may be given in evidence;
aud if it shall appear to the jury, that the
matter charged as libclous, is true, aud was
published with good motives, aud for just.
i6able ends the verdict shall be for the de.
fendant
9. Private property shall not be taken
or damaged for public use, without just
compensation nor shall the same be taken
by any company, Incorporated for the pur-
pose Of internal Improvement, until just
compensation shall have been paid, or 'se-
cured to he raid. ,the owuer; and when
private property shall be taken, or damag-
ed, for public use, or for the use Of such
corporations, the compensation to the own
er shall be asceriaincd iu such manner, as
may be prescribed by general law; provid-
ed, that when required BY either of the
parties, such compensation shall be asccr-
tanned by an impartial jury oftwelve free
holders. ~
10. No persons shall be deprived Of life,
liberty or property without due process of
law, aud the Judgment of bis peers
II. Poliiical tests requiring persons as
a prerequisite to the enjoyment Of their
cisil and political rights, to purge them.
Selves by their own caths, Of past alleged
olTenses, are repugnant to the principles of
free government, and are cruel aud op-
pressive No religious or political test
oath shall be required as prerequisite or
qualification to vote, serve asa juror, sue,
plead, appeal or pursue, any profession, or
employment. Nor shall any person be
deprived by law, Of auyri ight, or privilege,
because Of any act done prior to the pass.
age of such law
l2 Standing armies in time Of peace,
should be avoided, as dangerous to liberty.
Tue military shall be subordinate to the
civil power, and no citizen. unless epgag.
ed in the military service of the State, shall
be tried or punished by any military court,
for any otfense that is cognizablc by the
civil courts of tue State. NJ soldier shall,
in time ofpeace, be quartered in any house
without the consent of the owner; nor in
time Of war, except 10 the manner to be
prescribed by law.
Is. In suits at common law, where the
vNue 10 controversy, exclusive Of interest
and costs, exceeds twenty dollars, the eright
of trial by ajury Of twelve men, if requi.
red by either party, shall be preserved; ex.
cep, that in appeals from the judgment Of
justices. ajury of less number may be au-
thorized by law; but in trials Of civil cases
before justice, no jury shall be allowed.
No fact tried by a jury. shall in any case,
be otherwise re-examined, than according
to the rules Of common law.
IA. Trials Of crimes, and Of misdenea.
nors, unless herein otherwise provided,
shall be by jury of twelve men, public,
without unreasonable delay, and in the
county where the alleged ofensc was COM
mitted, unless upon petition Of the accused,
and for good cause shown, it is removed to
some other county. In all such trials, the
accused shall be fully and plainly informed
of the character and cause of the accusa.
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