The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-11-20
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RlaUTS.

That the general, great aud essential
principles of liberty and free govern
ment may be recognized and unalterably
established, we declare that
SECTION l. All men are born equally
free and independent, aud have certain
inherent and indefeasiblo rights, among
which are those of enjoying and defend
ing life and 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, and 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 aud indc(easible right to alter, re-
form or abolish their government 10 such
manner as they may think proper.
SEC. 3. Ali men have a natural and
indefeasible 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, OF to maintain any
ministry against his consent; no human
authority eau, in any case whatever,
control or interfere with the rights Of
conscience, aud preference shall ever be
given by law to any religious establish
mcnts or modes of worship.
SIC. 4. 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 preyeut
the free exercise Of the right OF suf-
frage.
SEC. 6 Trial by jury shall be as
heretofore, ard the right theteot remain
invioate
SEC. I. IT, 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, and every
citizen may freely speak. write aud print
on any subject, being responsible for the
abuse Of that liberty No conviction
shall be had iu prosecution for the pub.
lication OF papers relating TO the official
conduct of officers or men in public GA
pacity, or to any other matter proper tol
public investigation Of information
where the fact that such publication was
not maliciousiy or negligenfly made
shall be established to the satisfaction OF
the jury; and in all indictments fol
libels the jury shall have the right tc
determine the law and the facts, under
the direction of the court, as in other
cases.
SEC. g. The people shall be secure in
their persons, houses, papers and pos
sessions, from unreasonable searches anc
seizures, and no warrant to search any
place or to seize any person or things
shall issue without describing them a,
nearly as may be, nor without probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation
subscribed to by the ailiant.
SEC 8. In all criminal prosecutions
the accused hath right to be heard by
himself and his counsel, to demand the
nature and cause Of the accusation
against him, 10 meet the witnesses face
to face, to have compulsory process fol
obtaining witnesses in his favor, aud il
, prosecutions by indictment or intorma
, ton, speedy public trial by an impair
tial jury Of the vicinage; he cannot b.
, compelled to give evidence against Kim
self, nor can he be deprived of his life
liberty Or property, unless by the judg
ment of his peers or the law of tn
+ land.
SEC 10 No person shall for any in
dictable offense be proceeded agains
criminally, by information, except il
cases arising in the land or naval forces
: or in the militia, when in actual ser
0 vice, in time OF war or public danger, o
l by leave of the court, for oppression o
: misdemeanor in office. No person shal
tor the same otfenso be twice put il
e jeopardy Of life or limb; nor shall pri
: vate property be taken or applied tt
$ public use without authority OF law, aad
I, without just compensation being frs
g made or secIred.
t SEC. II, All courts shall be open an(
every man for an injury done him 10 hi
4 lands, goods, person or reputation. shal
f have remedy by due course of Law, ant
J, right and justice administered withou
\ \ sale, denial or delay. Suits may b.
e brought against the Commonwealth il
n such manner, iu such cours, aud ii
r, such courts, and in such ctses as tn,
> Legislature may by law diret.
), SEC. II. No power of suspnding laws
!. shall be exercised unless by the legis
# lature or by its authority.
Il SEC. Is. Excessive bal shall not b,
= required, nor excessive ines imposed
), nor cruel punishments irficted.
4 SEC. II, All prisone,s shall be baila
g bic by sufficient sureiies, unless 70
y capital offenses, when the proof is evi
e dent or presumption great aud tn
privilege Of the writ Of habeas corpu
y Shall not be suspended, unless when il
e case of rebellion or INVASION the publ
+ safety may require it
"A at m,