The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-12-04
ARTICLE I.
DECUARATION OF RIGHTS


ment may be recognized and unalterably
established, we declare that
SECTION | All men are born equally
free and independent, aud have certain
inherent and iudefeasible rights, among
which are those of enjoying and defend
ing life aud liberty, of acquiring, pos
sessing aud protecting property and rep
utation, and Of pursuing their own hap
piness.
SEC. 2. All power is inherent in the
people, aud all free governments are
founded on their authority aud institu.
ted for their peace, safety and happi-
ness. For the advancement of these
ends they have at all times an inaliena-
BILE and ibdefeasible right to alter, re-
form or abolish their government 10 such
manner as they may think proper.
SEC. 3, All men have a natural and
indefeasible right to worship Almish shty
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 can, in any case whatever,
control or interfere with the rights Of
conscience, and preference shall ever be
given by law to any religious establish
ments or modes of worship.
SEC. i. No person who acknowledges
the being OF God and future state OF
rewards and punishments shall, on ae-
count Of his religious sentiments, be dis
qualified to hold any office or place of
trust or profit under this Common
wealth.
SEC. 5. Elections shall be free and
equal; and no power, civil or military,
shall at any time interfere to prevent
the free exercise of the right of suf-
frage.
SEC. 6 Trial by jury shall be as
heretofore, aud the right theteot remain
inyiolate.
SEC. I. The printing press shall be
free to every person who may undertake
to examine the proceedings of the Leg
islature or any branch of government,
and no law shall ever be made to restrain
the right thereof. The free communi-
cation OF thoughts and opinions is one of
the invaluable rights Of man. aud every
citizen may freely speak. write and print
on any subject, being responsible for the
shan pe Gad ID prosocutloni for the pub.
Ilcatlon OF papers relating to the official
conduct OF officers or men in public ga
paclty. or to auy other matter proper for
public investigation of information
where the fact that such publication was
not maIiciously or Gegligently made
shall be established to the satisfaction of
the jury; and in ali indictments for
libeIs the jury shall have the right to
determine the law and the facts. under
the direction of the court, as in other
cases.
SEC. s. The people shall be secure in
their persons, houses, papers aud pos
sessions, from unreasonable searches aud
seizures, aud no warrant to search aDy
place or to seize any person or things,
shall issue without describing them as
nearly US may be, nor without probable
cause, supported By oath or affirmation
subscribed to by the aiiiant.
SEC. 8. In all crimina! prosecutions
the accused hath a right to be heard bv
himself and 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
obtaining witnesses in his favor. and in
by Indictment or iuiorma-
ton, speedy public trial By an impair
tial jury CT the vicinagc; he cannot be
to give evidence against him
self, nor can he be deprived Of his life,
liberty or property, unless by the judg.
ment of his peers or the law of the
land
SEC 10 No person shall for any in
ilotablo oifouse be proceeded against
BY information, except in
cases arising in the land Or naval forces,
'r in the militia, when in actual ser
vice, in time Of var or public danger, or
~ leave OF the court, for oppression or
nisdemeanor in Office. No person shall |
or the same ohen5e be twice put in
copardy of life or limb; nor shall pri-
'ate property be taken or applied to
1ublo nse without authority of law, and |
Without just compensation being first
made or seemed.
SEC. II. Ali courts shall bs open, and
very man for an injury doue him in his
ands, goods, person or reputation, shall
lave remedy by due course of law, and
light and justice administered without
ale, denial or delay. Suits may be
rought against the Commonwealth in
uch manner, in such courts, and in
uch courts, and in such cases as the
may by law direct.
SEC. Il. No power of suspending laws
hall be exercised unless by the legis-
iture or by its authority.
SEC. l3. Excessive bail shall not be
equlred, nor excessive fines imposed,
or cruel punishments Inflicted.
SEC. II. All prisoners shall be baila-
lie by sufficient sureties, unless for
apltal otfenses, when the proof is evil
ent or presumption great; and the
rivilege of the writ of habeas corpus
hall not be suspended, unless when in
ase of rebellion or invasion the public
aiety may require it.
SEC, 10. No commisson of oyer and
'rminer or Jail delivery shall be issued.
SEC. IL. The person of a debtor,