The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-21
STITEsNfN INDEED.

The current number of The North American
Rerie,c contains very valuable article 10y Gen.
Richard Taylor. entitled. Statesman OF tho
Colonial Era" setting forth the biography.
political ideas. and revolutionary and constitu-
tional 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: aud how profoundly he understood
the fundamental principles OF free government
and the methods OF making liberty safe against
the perpetual encroachmcnts Of power, may best
be seen by tho subioined document. which he
prepared for the Virginia Convention. whore 1t
wis reported by the Committee Of Safety on May
%. 1776;
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
A declaration Of rights made by the repre-
sentativcs Of the good people Of Virginia. as
semhled in full and free convention; which
rights do pertain 10 them and their posterity, rs
the basis and liquidation Of covernment unan-
y j%SSf y 1499 gg by the Convention Of virginia
/. 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 and possessing property,
anil pursuing and obtaining happiness ana
g. That all power IL by God and nature vested
IN and consequently derived from the people;
that magistrates are their trustees and SER
wants. and at all times amenabe 10 them.
3. That government il. or ought 10 be. insti-
tutcd for the common benefit. protection. and
security Of tho people. marion. or community.
or ali tho various modes and forms Of govern
ment that Is best which is capable Of producing
lilo greatest degree OF happiness and safety,
and IA most en'rtually secured against the dan
ger Of administration; and that whenever any
government shall be- found Inadequate or con-
muuity hath an indubitahln. unaiienahle, indie
feasible right to reform. alter, or abolish 1t. in
such manner AS shall be Judged most conducive
To- the pubic veal
4. That no man or set Of mon are entitled TO
exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges
from tho community, hut ~ eonsiderat9n OF
public services which. not being dcscendttle,
neither ought the Offices of magistrate legisla-
tor, or iudgoto be hereditary.
.. That the Legislative and executive powers
OF the State should he separate and distinct
from the judicial: and that the members of the
two ilr~t may be restrained from oppression by
| people they should M fixed periods be reduced
| e. u private station, and return unto that body
| from which they were originally taken. and va
cancies be supplied by frequent certain. and
g. That elections Of members TO serve ms
| representatives. Of tho people in the Legislature,
ought To- be free. and that all men having SUM-
| with and attachment 10 the community. have tho
right of suffrage; and cannot be taxed or de-
! prlved OF their property for public uses with
out their own consent. or that Of their repre-
| sentatiycs 80 elected, nor bound 10y any law To
| whlrh they have not. IN ike manner, assentcd
! for the common good.
| Z. That all power OF suspcndinG laws. or tho
| execution uf laws 10y any authority, without
consent Of the Representatives Of the people is
INJURIOUS to their rights. and ought not to be
3. That in all capital or criminal prosecutions
! n man hath "A right 10 demand the cause and
| nature OF his accusation, 10 be confronted with
| the atcustrs and witnesses, 10 call for ovidunco
! in his favor mud To- speedy trial ly an Impair
| ual jury ~ his VicnHge; without Unanimous
! ba compelled to give evidence against himself
| ana that no man be deprived OF his liberty eX-
cert by the law of The land or the judgment OF
o. That excessive bail ought not 10 bo re.
qulFgd, nor ,Nres@lNo mes imposed. nor cruel
and unu~ual pun shmruts inflicted.
! I'D. Thut IN controvcrsirs respecting proper
ty, nnd IN suits between man and man, the an
cirlttrM by jury is profcrabls to any other
| and ought to ho held sacred.
u, Ihdt the freedom uf tho press il one 81 the
grDA, uuiWHrks % liberty, ana cam never be re-
u. That IL we'll regulated militia. composed
OF lhe n'dy on ne pr"po trained To- arms, is IN,
| proper, natural and safe defence OF "A free
Htal'' tilhI SWndlhg armies IN time Of peac,
should Toe avoided U5 dangerous Ia liberty; ana
lnnt IN az 'aSes tho military should be under
strict subordinaton to and governed by tho
| ciyil power
-, Tint no free government or tho blessing
| oil liberty can be preserved to any people but hy
| llrm adherence 10 Justice moderation tam
p'rAhce, irugllltv; and virtue, and 10y frequent
recurrence To fundamental principl1A
| IL. Ihal religion, or tho duty which we owe
| toout Nrealor ana the manner Of dischnrginl
| IT, can he directed only hy reason and convic,
That II rs tho mutual duty OF all mon 10 prnctis,
Christian iorbcarance love, and charity towaro
| each other.
This declaration Of rights as. Mason himself
says, was the first in America" and as Gen
Taylor Justly remarks, herein are 10 be fount
an the principles of the subsequent Declaration
OF Independence and the decaratory enactment,
Of the several States. Indeed. the great prinei
pies on which free government rests are NOR,
pcrspicuousy and forcibly stated by NIasor
than by his followers and copyists"
| Every reader of this n1miroIln ipetrup,o,l