The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-05-30


sentiment Of the people of the State
that no change was desirable in the
Bill of Rights. He thought such a
declaration entitled to consideration,
unless satisfactory reason was shown
for disregarding it.
! Mr.. Broomall, Of Delaware, favored
! Mr.. Clark's amendment, because he
preferred the existing Bill of Rights
to the one reported from the com
mittee.
Several sections were agreed to as
| follows:
ART. I.-Declaration of Rights
That the great and essential princi-
pies Of liberty and free government
may be recognized and unalterabIy
established. we declare that
Section |. All men are born equally
free and independent, and have Ger
tain inherent and indefeasible rights,
among which are those Of enjoying
and defending life and liberty, of ac-
quiring, possessing and protecting
property and reputation, and of pur-
suing their own happiness.
See. ,. That all power is inherent
in the people and all free governments
are founded on their authority and in
stituted for their peace. safety and
happiness: for the advancement of
these ends they have at all times an
inalienable and iDdefeasible right to
alter, reform or abolish their govern
ment in such manner as they may
think proper.
Sec. 3. That all men have a natu-
raj and indefeasibIe right to worship
Almighty God according to the dic-
tates of their own consciences; that
no man can of right be compelled to
attend, erect or support any place of
worship or to maintain any minister
against his consent; no human au-
thority can in any case whatever con-
troll or interfere with the rights of
conscience, and no preference shall
ever be given by law to any religious
establishments or modes Of worship.
See. i. That no person who ac-
knowledges a God and future state
of rewards and punishments shall on
account Of his religious sentiments
be disqualified to hold any Office or
place Of profit or trust under the
Commonwealth.
The fifth section being under con-
sideration, and providing that elec-
tions shall be free and equal and no
power, civil or military, shall at any
time interfere with the free exercise
Of the rights Of suffrage, Mr.. Dar-
lington, of Chester, opposed the in
sertion o& such a provision in tue
constitution as unnecessary.
This section and also the sixth,
Chat trial by jury shall be as here
tofore, and the right thereof remain
inviolate,) were adopted that day and
the following on the next day. the
23rd:
Sec. I. That the printing press
shall be free to every person who un-
dertakes to examine the proceedings
Of the Legislature or any branch Of.
the government, and no law shall
ever be made to restrain the RIGHT
thereof. The free communication of
thoughts and opinions is one of the
invaluable rights Of man. and every
citizen may freely speak, wright and
print on any subject, being response
ble for the abuse Of that liberty. In
prosecuting for Ihe publication of
papers investigating the official con-
duct Of officers or men in public ca
pacities, or where the matter pub
hshed is proper for public informa-
ton, the truth thereof may be given
in evidence, and in all indictments for
libels the jury shall have a right to
determine the law and the facts I'M
der the direction of tue court, as in
other cases.
The next two sections prevailed
without extended debate. They
were as follows: "
Sec. 8. That the people shall be Sc
cure in their persons, houses, papers
and professions from unreasonable
searches and seizures, and that no war
rants to search any place or to seize
any persons or things shall issue with
out describing them as nearly as may
be, nor without probable cause, sup
ported by oath or affirmation, sub
scribed to by the affiant.
Sec. 8. That in all criminal prose
tiOn the accused hath right 10 be
heard by himself and his counsel. to
demand the nature and cause Of the
accusation against him, to meet the
witnesses face to face, to have com
pulsory process Of obtaining witness
es in his favor, and in prosecution by
indictment or information a speedy
public trial by an impartial jury of
the vicinage. He cannot be com
PEELED to give evidence against him
self. nor can he be deprived of his
life, liberty or property unless by
the Judgment Of his peers or the law
Of the land.
Pending the consideration of the
tenth section the committee rose and
the convention adjourned.
THE OTHER SIDE.