The age-herald., 1901-09-08
ARTICLE
Declaration of Rights.

Declaration of Rights.
 That the great, general and essential principles of liberty and free govern ment may be recognized and establish ed we declare;
 1. That all men are equally free and independent that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, lib- erty and the pursuit of happiness.
 2 That all political power Is inher- ent in the people, and all free govern ments are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit; and that. therefore, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to change their form of government in such manner as they may deem expedi- ent.
 8. That no religion shall be established by law; that no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or society, denomination or mode of wor- ship; that no one shall be compelled by law to attend any place of worship; nor to pay tithes, taxes or other rates for building or repairing any place of worship or for maintaining any min- ister or ministry; that no religious test shall be required as qualification to any office or public trust under this leges and capacities of any citizen shall not be. in any manner, affected by his religious principles.
 4. That no law shall ever be passed to curtaii or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press; and any person may speak, write and publish his senti- ments on all subjects. being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
 b That the people shall be- secure in their persons, houses, papers and pos sessions from unreasonable seizures or searches; and that no warrant shall A& raIN rnto nV any person or thing without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation
 G. That in all criminal prosecutions the accused has the right to be heard by himself and counsel, or either; to de- mand the nature and cause of the ac- cusation and to have a copy thereof; to be confronted by the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; to tes- iIfy in all cases in his own behalf, if he elects so to do; and in all prosecu- tions by indictment, a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense was committed; and he shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, except by due process of law; but the Legislature may by a gen eral law, provide for a change of venue at the instance of the defendant in all prosecutions by indictment, and such change of venue, on application of the defendant. may be heard and de- termined without the personal presence of the defendant so applying therefor; provided, that at the time of the applica- tion for the change of venue, the de- fendant is imprisoned in jail or some other legal place of confinement.
 [. That no person shall be accused, or arrested, or detained, except in cases ascertained by law, and according to Tor xxh{ 10 ha he'd and no person shall be punished but by virtue of a law established and legally promulgated prior to the offense and le- gally applied.
 g. That no person shall for an indict- able offense be proceeded against crim- finally by information, except in cases arising in the militia and volunteer forces when in actual service, or when assembled under arms as a military organization, or by leave of the court, for misfeasance, misdemeanor, eXtor- tion and oppression in office; otherwise than is provided in this Constitution; provided. that in cases of misdemeanor, the Legislature may by law dispense with Grand Jury and authorize such prosecutions and proceedings before Justices of the peace or such other in- ferio- courts as may be by law estab- lished
 g. That no person shall. for the same offense, be twice put in jeopardy of his life or limb; but courts may. for req sons fixed by law, discharge juries from the consideration of any case. and no person shall gain any advantage by req son of such discharge of the jury.
 10. That no person shall be barred from prosecuting or defending before any tribunal in this State, by himself or coun- sel, any civil cause to which he Is a party.
 il That the right of trial by jury shall remain irriolate.
 12. That in all prosecutions for libel or for the publication of papers inves- tigating the official conduct of officers or men in public capacity. or when the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and that in all in- dictments for libel the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fhcts under the direction of the court.
 13 That all courts shall be open; and that every person. for any injury done him, his lands, goods. person or rep uration, shall have a remedy by due process of law; and right and justice shall be administered without sale, de- nial or delay.
 IA. That the State of Alabama shall never be made a defendant in any court of law or equity.
 15. That excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted.
 IS. That all persons shall, before con viction, be bailable by sufficient sure ties except for capital offense, when the proof is evident or the presumption great, and that excessive ball shall not in any case be required
 IT. That the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended Dv the authorities of this State.
 IS. That treason against the State shall consist only in levying war against it ,,r adhering to its enemies giving them aid and comfort, and that no person shah be convicted for treason, except on lae testimony of two witnesses to the overt act, or his own confession in open court.
 a. That no person shall be attained of treason by the Legislature: and no con- viction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.
 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt.
 n. That no power of suspending law shall be exercised except by the Legis- lature.
 p. That no ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts,
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