The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-01-31
A STATESMAN INDEED.

tical ideas, and revolutionary and con-
stitutional services of George Mason of
Virginia. To all who have studied the
history of that epoch, the name OF this
great man is already familiar and
how profoundly he understood the
fundamental principles of free govern
ment and the methods of making liber-
ty safe against the perpetual encroach-
ments Of power, may best be seen by
the subjoined document, which he pre-
pared for the Virginia Convention,
tee of Safety on May %, 1776.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
A declaration of rights made by the
Virginia, assembled in full and free
convention which rights do pertain to
them and their posterity, as the basis
and foundation of government, unani-
mously adopted by the Convention of
Virginia, June 12, 1776:
1. That all men are created equally
free and independent, and have certain
inherent natural rights of which they
cannot, by any compact, deprive or
divest their posterity, among which are
the enjoyment of life and liberty, with
the means of acquiring aud possessing
property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety.
2. That all power is by God and ma
ture vested in and consequently derived
from the people; that magistrates are
their trustees and servants, and at all
times amenable to them.
3. That government is, or ought to
be, instituted for the common benefit,
protection and security of the people,
nation, or community. OF all the vari-
Gus modes and forms of government,
that is best which is capable of produc-
ing the greatest degree of happiness and
safety, and is most effectually secured
against the danger of administration
and that whenever any government
shall be found inadequate or contrary
to these purposes a mejOrity of the
hath an indubitable, un-
indefeasible right to reform,
alter, or abolish it, in such manner as
shall be judged most conducive to the
public veal.
4. That no man or set of men are en-
titled to exclusive or separate emolu-
ments or privileges from the communi-
ty, but in consideration of public
services which, not being descendible,
neither ought the offices of magistrate,
legislator, or judge to be hereditary.
S. That the legislative and executive
powers of the State should be separate
and distinct from the judicial; and
that the members of the two first may
be restrained from oppression by feel
ing and participating the burdens of
the people, they should, at fixed peri
DDS, be reduced to private station, and
return unto that body from which they
were originally taken, and vacancies be
supplied by frequent, certain, and
regular elections.
That election n nhor; n Snrva
as representatives of the people in the
Legislature, ought to be free, and that
all men having sufficient evidence of
permanent. common interest with and
to the community, have
the right of suffrage; and cannot be
taxed or deprived Of their property for
public uses without their own consent,
or that of their representatives SO
elected, nor bound by any law to which
they have not, in like manner, assented
for the common good.
7. That all power of suspending laws,
or the execution of laws, by any au
thority, without consent of the repre-
sentatives of the people, is Injurious to
their rights, and ought not to be ex-
ercised.
s. That in all capital or criminal pro-
secutions a man hath a right to demand
the cause and nature of his accusation,
to be confronted with the accusers and
witnesses, 10 call for evidence in his
favor, and to speedy trial by an i'm
partial jury of his vicinage; without
consent he cannot be found
guilty, nor can he be compelled to
give evidence against himself; and that
no man be deprived of his liberty ex-
ccpt by the law of the land or the judg-
ment of his peers.
8. That excessive bail ought not to
be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishment
inflicted.
10. That in controversies respecting
property, and i'll suits between man
and man, the ancient trial by jury is
preferable to any other, and ought.to be
held sacred.
II. That the free ION of the press is
one of the great bulwarks of liberty,
and can never be restrained but by
dcspotic governments.
~. That a well-ree ulated militia,
composed of the body of the people
trained to arms, is the proper, natural,
and safe defense of free State; that
standing armies in time Of peace should
be avoided, as dangerous to liberty
and that in all cases the military should