Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-11-28

entitled IAN act to provide for calling a
Convention to amend the Constitution, !"
approved the 1lth day of April, A. d.
1872.
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Penn
sylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the bless
ings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish
this Constitution.
ARTICLE1.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
That the General, great and essential principles
of liberty and free government may be recognized
and unaterably established, we declare that
SECTION l. All men are born equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent and inde-
feasible rights, among which are those of enjoy
ing and defending life and liberty, of acquiring,
possessing and protecting property and reputa-
tion, and of pursuing their own happiness.
SEC. 2. All power is Inherent in the people, and
all free governments are founded on their autho-
rity and instituted for their peace, safety and
happiness. For the advancement of these ends
they have at all times an inalieuable and indefea-
sible right to alter reform or abolish theii govern
lnent in such manner as they may think proper
SEC. 3. All men have IL natural and mdefeasible
right to worship Almighty God according to the
dictates Of their own consciences; no man can OF
right be compelled to attend, erect or support any
place Of worship, or to maintain any ministry
against his consent no human authority cam in
any case whatever, control or interfere with the
rights of conscience, and no conference shall ever
be given by law TO any religious establishments
modes of worship
SEC. 4. No person who acknowledges the being
of a God and future state of rewards and pun
ishments shall, account of his religious senti-
ments, be disqualified to hold any Office or place
of trust profit under this Commonw wealth.
SEC. S. Elections shall be free and equal and
power, civil or military, shall at any time in
terferc to prevent the free exercise OF the right
suffrage.
SEC. O. Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and
the right thereof remain iuviolate.
SEC. Z. The printing press shall be free to every
person who may undertake to examine the pro
ceedings of the Legislature or any branch OF
government, and no law shall ever be made to
retain the right thereof. The free communica-
tion of thoughts and opinions Is one of the in
valuable rights of man, and every citizen may
freely speak, write and print on any subject, be-
ng responsible for the abuse of that liberty No
conviction shall be had in any prosecution for
the publication Of papers relating to the official
conduct of officers or men In public capacity, or
toeuy other matter proper for public investiga
ton or Information where the fact that such pub
licatiou was not muliciously or negligently made
shall be established to the satisfaction of the
jury; and in all indictments for libes the jury
shall have the right to determine the law and the
facts, under the direction Of the court, AS in
other
SRs. s. The people shall be secure in their per-
sons, houses, papers, and possessions, from un-
reasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant
to search any place or to seize any person
thIgs, shall Issue without describing them as
nearly as may be, nor without probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation subscribed to
by the stnant.
SEC. 9. In all criminal prosecutions, the accus-
ed hath right to b. heard by himself and his
counsel, to demand the nature and cause OF the
accusation against him, to meet tho witnesses
face to face, to have compulsory process for OBJ
tanning witnesses in his favor, and ia prosecu-
tions by Indictment or inform ltion, speedy
public trial BY AN impartial jury of the vicinage;
he cannot be compelled to give evidence against
himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty,
or property, unless by the Judgment of his peers
or the law OF the land.
SEC. 10. No person shall for any lndctablc Of.
Tense be proceeded against crmnaly, by infor-
nation, except in arising in the land or naval
forces, or In tho militia, when in actual service,
In Tins Of war or public danger, by leave of
the court, for oppression or misdemesnor In Of
nco No person shall for the same offcIse be twice
put - Jeopardy OF life or limb nor shall private
property be taken or applied to public use with
out authority Of law, and without just compen-
saton being hrst made or secured.
SEC. IL. All courts shall be open; and every
man fer an sry done him in his lands, goods,
person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due
course Of law aud right and Justice administered
without sale, denial, or delay. Suits may be
brought against the Commonwealth In such mau-
ner, in such courts, aud in such cases AS the Leg
iyssture may by law direct.
SEC. II. No power of suspending laws shall be
exercised unless by the Legislature or By its au-
thorty.
SEC. ls. Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor oIeIcessiye fines imposed nor cruel puuishments
inflicted.
SEC. ii. All prisoners shall be bailable by sufi.
client suretes unless for capital offenses, when
the proof is evident or presumption sreat and
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall
not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion
or invasion the public safety may require il.
SEC. is. No commission of oyer and terminer
Jail delivery shall be issued.
Sur ha Of ,rho /, h.ro IL
not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be
continued in prison after delivering up his estate
for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as
shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. II. No E2 POST PACTo law, nor any law
impairing the obligation of contracts, or making
irreyocable any grant of special privileges or i'm
nunities, shall be passed.
SEC. IS. No person shall be attainted Of treason
or felony by the Legislature.
SEC. 10. No attainder shall work corruption Of
blood, nor, except during the life of the offender
forfeiture of estate to the Common wealth, The
estate OF such persons as shall destroy their own
lives shall deccnd or vest in cases of natural
death, and ii any person shall be killed by casu-
atty, there shall be no forfeiture by reason there
Of
Sec. 20. The citizens have a right In a ppacea-
ole manner to assemble together for their COM
mon god, and to apply to those invested with
the powers of government for redress of grlevau-
OF o.ier proper purposes, by petition, address
OF remonsTance.
nc NJ Ol cillLenb 10 Dear arms IN
questioned.
SEQ ~. No st,nding army shall, in time of
peace, oe kept uD without the consent of the Leg
islatnre aud the Military SHALL in all cases sand
at all times, be in strict subordinatiop, 70 The
civil power.
SEC. IS. No soldier shall in time OF peace be
IuarteIed IN any house without the consent of
the owner, nor in rme of wa r but in a manner to
be prescribed by Law
SEC. "A. The Legislature shall not grant any
title OF mobility or hereditary distinction, nor
create any olhee the appointment of which shall
oe M q aE so1sol Em ssrm than during good behavior
be prohibited. S S'' SAA' "''
h,Sh ,';a nst transgressions OF the
that everything in this articie's sxcs,,ad on, Of
ever remain inyiolate. i''
ARTICLE II.
Section /. The legislative power Of this c,r,.
uonwealth shall be vested 10 q General Asset,
Ply, which shall consist OF sepate aud House OF
Representatives. =
SEC. q. Members Of the General Assenoblv
ihall be chosen at the general election every se