Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-12-05

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Commonwealth, in pursuance of the 4th
section Of an act of the General Assembly,
entitled IAN act to provide for calling a
Convention to amend the Constitution, :"
1872.
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the Common wealth of Penn
sylvana, grateful to Almighty God for the bless
ings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
Invoking His guidance. do ordain and establish
this Constitution.
ARTICLR1.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
That the General, great aud essential principles
OF liberty and free government may be recognized
and uualteraby established. we declare that
SECTION 1. 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 aud instituted for their peace, safety and
happiness For the advancement of these ends
they have at all times an inaieuable and indefea-
sible right to alter reform or abolish thei govern
ment in such manner a. they may think proper.
SEC. 3. All men have natural and indefeasibe
right to worship Almighty God according TO the
dictates of their own conscicnces no man can of
right be compelled % attend, erect or support any
place of worship, or to maintain any ministry
against his consent no human authority can, in
any case Whatever control or interfere with the
rights of conscience, and conference shall ever
be given by law to any religious establishments
or modes Of worship.
SEC. 4. No person who acknowledges the being
of a God and r future state of rewards and pun
ishments shall, on account of his religious senti-
lnents, be disqualified to hold any office or place
of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.
SEC. 5. Elections shall he free and equal and
civil nr uilitO'V shall ot my in
terfere TO prevent the free exercise of the right OF
suffrage.
SEC. 6. Trial by jury shall be MS heretofore and
the right thereof remain inviolatc.
SEC. Z. The printing press shall be free to every
person who may undertake to examine the pro-
ccedings of the Legislature or any branch of
government, and no law shall ever be made to
restrain the right thereof The free communica-
ton Of thoughts and opinions is of the in
valuable rights of man, and every citizen may
freely speak, write and print Oh any subject, be-
ing 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
to any other matter proper for public investiga-
tion or information where the fact that such pub
lcation was not muliciousy or negligently made
shall be established to the satisfaction of the
jury; and in all indictments for libcs the Jury
shall have the right to determine the law and the
facts, under the direction of the court, AS in
other cases.
sons, houses papers, and possessions, from un-
reasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant
TO search any place or to seize any person or
thinga, shall issue without describing them as
nearly as may be, nor without probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, subscribed to
by the atllant.
sEc. 9. In all criminal prosecutions, the accus-
ed hath R right to be heard by himself AMI his
counsel. to demand the nature and cause of the
!. accusation against him, to meet the witnesses
face to face, to have compulsory process for Oh
tanning witnesses in his favor, and III prosecu-
tiOns by Indictment or information, n speedy
pnbiic trial by an impartial jury of the vicnagc;
he cannot be compelled to give evidence against
himself, can he be deprived Of his life, liberty,
or property, unless BY the Judgment of his peers
or the law of the land.
SIC. 10. No person shall for any indictabe Of
fense be proceeded against c.iminally, by infor
IN ltion, except in cases arising in the aud naval
forces, or in the militia when in actual service,
in time of war or public danger. or by leave of
the court, for oppression or misdcmeanor in Of
fee. No person shall for the same ofiense be twice
put in jeopardy of life or limb nor shall private
property be taken or applied TO public with
ont authority of law, and without just compen-
sation being first made or secured.
SEC IL. All courts shall be open; and every
man for an injury 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 man
ne7, in such courts, and in such cases ne the Leg
isature may by law direct.
SEC. IL. No power of suspending laws shall be
exercised unless by the Legislature or by its au-
thorty.
SEC. l3. Excessive bail shall not be required,
MOI excessive fines imposed, nor cruel puuishments
inflicted
SEC. II. All prisoners shall be bailable by sufl.
cient suretes. unless for capital ofIenses, when
the pronf is evident or presumption great; and
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall
not be suspended, unles, when in of rebellion
or Invasion The public safety may require it.
SEC. Is. No commission of oyer and terminer or
jail delivery shall be issued.
SEC. 10. The person of debtor, where there Is
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 rs
shall be prescribed by law.
SEC. II. No EN POST PACTo law, nor any law
impairing the obligation of contracts, or making
irrevocable any grant Of special privileges or i'm
munities, 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 10 the Commonwealth, the
estate of snch ersons as shall destroy their own
lives shall descend or vest in cases of natural
death, and If any person shall be killed by casu-
atty, there shall be no forfeiture by reason there
OF.
SEC. 20. The citizens have n right in pPacea-
ole manner to assemble together for their com.
mon good, and to apply to those invested with
the powers OF government for redress of grievan,
ces or other proper purposes, by petition, address
or demonstrates.
SEC. 81. The right Of citizens to bear arms In
defence OF themselves and the State shall not bC
questioned.
SEC, %. No standing army SHALL in time o
peace, be kept up without the consent of the Leg
islatare aud the military shall. IN all cases, and
at AL times, be in strict subordiuation, to III,
civil power.
SEC. % No soldier shah in time of peace b,
quartered in any house without the consent o.
the owner, nor in time of war but in manner t
be prescribed by law.
SEC. "a. The Legislature shall not grant an,
title of nobility or hereditary distinction. mo-
create any office the appointment of which shal
be for longer term than during good behavior
SEC. 25. Emigration from the State shall no
be prohibited.
SIC. 20. To guard against transgressons of III
high powers which We have deleg ated, we declar
that everything in this article iseXcepted cut o.
the general powers of government, aud shall for
sever remain ihyiolate.
., ARTICLE II.
ssEcrIsS.1. The legislative power of this Com
monwealth shall be vested IN a General Assem-