The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-09
ARTICLE l.

do ordain and establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE 1.
l0ls ia Declaration Of Rights. il51,
That the general, great and essential
principles of liberty and free government
may be recognized and unalterably estab-
lished, we declare that
SECTION 1.afAll men are born equally
free and independent, and have certain in
herent and ipdefessible rights, among
which are those of enjoying and defending
life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing
and protecting property and reputation, and
of pursuing their own happiness.
SEC. Q. All power is inherent in the peo-
pie, and all free governments are founded
on their authority and instituted for their
peace, safety and happiness. For the adj
vancement of these ends they have at al!
times an inalienable and indefeasible right
to alter, reform or abolish their govern
ment in such manner as they may think
proper. t.fr,.t.
SEC. g. All men have a natural and inde-
feasible right to worship Almighty God
according to the dictates of their own con-
sciences 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
can, in any case whatever, control or inter-
fere with the rights of conscience, and no
preference shall ever be given by law to any
religious establishments or modes of wor-
ship. og dat T i
Sec. A. No person who acknowledges the
being of God and q future state of re-
wards and punishment shall, on account of
his religious sentiments, be disqualified to
hold any Office or place Of trust or profit
under this Commonwealth.
SEC. 5. Elections shall be free and equal; /;
and no power, civil or military, shall at
any time interfere to prevent the free ex-
ercise of the right Of suffrage. ."
10 SEC. 8. Trial by jury shall be as hereto
fore, and the right thereof remain inyio-
late. .- ,-.,.fto+a fet
SEC. z. The printing press shall be free
to every person who may undertake to ex-
anime 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 inval-
uable rights of man, and every citizen may
freely speak, write and print on any sub
ject being 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-
ton or information, where the fact that
such publication was not maliciously or
negligently made shall be established to
the satisfaction of the jury; and in all iu-
dictments for libels the jury shall have the
right TO determine the law and the facts,
under the direction of the court, as in
other cases. o i4l 1i niunV
SEC, 8. The people shall be secure in
their persons, houses, papers and posses
sions from unreasonable searches and seiz-
ures, and no warrant to search any place or
to seize any person or things shall issue
without describing them as nearly as may
be, nor without probable cause, supported
by oath or affirmation subscribed to by the
affiant. fa t1 Illfsil ,93u3i aA3 a7i il'
Sec. 0. In all criminal prosecutio ms,
the accused hath right to be heard by
himself and his counsel, to demand the ma
ture and cause of the accusation against
him, to meet the witnesses face to face, to
have compulsory process for obtaining wit
nesses in his favor, and, in prosecutions by
indictment or information, a 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. rf iart,ef
SEC. 10. No person shall, for any indie
able offence, be proceeded against crimi-
nally by information, except in cases aris-
ing in the land or 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 misdemeanor in
Office. No person shall, for the same Of
fence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or
limb nor shall private property be taken OF
applied TO public use, without authority of
law and without just compensation being
first made or secured. f'H
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, and
right and justice administered without
sale, denial or delay. Suits may be brought
against the Commonwealth in such man
ner, In such courts and in such cases as the
Legislature may by law direct.
6EC. 12. No power OF suspending laws
shall be exercised unless by the legislature
or by its authority. enaals la. -aj uqa
SIC. 13. Excessive bail shall not be re-
quired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel punishments inflicted.
SEC; IA. All prisoners shall be bailable
by sufficient sureties, unless for capital
offences when the proof is evident or pre-
sumption great and the privilege Of the
writ Of habeas corpus shall not be suspend.
ed, unless when in case Of rebellion OF
invasion the public safety may require it.
SEC. 49, No, commission Of Oyer and
Terminer or jail Delivery shall be issued.
SEC 49, The person OF debtor, where
there Is not strong presumption OF fraud,
shall not be continued In prison after de-
liyering up his estate for the benefit Of his
creditors in such manner as shall be pre-
scribed by law.
SEC ~. No es post facto law, nor any