Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-22
THE PREAMBLE AND BILL OF
RIGHTS.

The following report OF the committee
on presmble and bill of rights has been
submitted to the constitutional conven.
tion by the chairman, Hon. Bergman
Green, OF Danville. 1t is understood
thst the preamable was the work OF
the Hon. John 8. Barbour, Of Culpeper:
CONSTITUTION.
Whereas. pursuant to an act OF the
General Assembly Of Virginia, approv-
ed March the 5 D, iu the year OF our
Lord nineteen hundred, the question,
"Shall there be convention to revise
the constitution and amend the same?"
was submitted to the electors of the
State of Virginia, qualified to vote for
members of the General Assembly, at
an election held throughout the State
on the fourth Thursday 10 May in the
year nighteen hundred, at which cleo
tion majority OF the electors 30 quail
fed voting at said election did decide
in favor ofa convention for such pur
post; and
Whereas, the General Assemb y at
It's next session did approve by law for
the election of delegates to such con-
veDtioD, in pursuance whereof the
members of this convention we're elect
ed by the good people of Virginia to
meet in convention for such purpose.
We, therefore, the delegates Of the
good people Of Virginia so elected and
in convention assembled, do ordain and
declare the future form OF government
of Virginia to be as follows:
ARTICLE 1-BlLL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration of Rights. NJ sde by the
Representatives of the Good People
of Virginia, Assent bled in Full and
Free Convention, Which Rights Do
Pertain to Them and Their Posterity,
as the Basis and Foundation of Gov.
ernment.
/. That all men are, by nature,
equally free and Independent, end
have certain inherent rights, of which,
when they enter into state OF society,
they cannot, by any compact, deprive
or divest their posterity; namely, the
enjoyment Of life and liberty, with the
means OF acquiring and possessing prop
erty, and pursuing and obtaining hap
piness and safety.
2. That all power is 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 Ia, or ought to
be, instituted for the common beuetit,
protection and security OF the people,
nation or community; of all the various
modes and forms of government that is
best which is capable of producing the
greatest degree OF happiness and safety,
and is most effectually secured against
the danger OF malsdministratioD; and
that, when any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these
purposes, majority OF the community
that an indubitable, inalienable and in-
defesslble right to reform, alter or
abolish 1t in such manner as shall be
Judged most conducive to the public
veal.
L. That no man, or set Of men, are
entitled to exclusive or separate emolu-
ments or privileges from the COM
munity, but in consideration OF public
services; which, DOT being descendible,
neither ought the Office of magistrate,
legislator or Judge to be hereditary.
0. That the legislative, executive
aud judicial powers of the State should
be separate and distinct; and that the
members thereof may be restrained
from oppression, by feeling and par
ticipating the burthens OF the people,
they should, at fixed periods, be re-
duced to a private station, returning
into that body from which they were
originally taken, and the vacancies be
supplied by regular elections, 10 which
eli, or any part OF the former members
shall be again eligible, or ineligible, as
the laws may direct.
6. That oil elections ought to be
fres, and that all men, having sufficient
evidence of permanent common 10
terests with, and attachment to, the
community, have the right of suffrage,
and cannot be taxed, nor deprived of,
or damaged in, their property for pub
lie uses, without their own consent, or
that of their representatives so elected,
nor bound by any law to which they
have not, 10 like manner, sssented, for
the public good.
Z. That oil power OF suspending
laws, or the execution OF laws, by any
authority, without consent of the repre-"
sentaliyes OF the people, is Injurious to
their rights, and ought not TO be ex-
ercised.
S. That, In ell capital or criminal
prosecutions, man hath a right to de-
mand the cause and nature OF his &C.
cusalion, ID be confronted with the ac'
cusers and witnesses, to call for eyi-
dence in his favor, and to q speedy
trial by an impartial jury of his vi
ciuage, without whose unanimous con.
sent he cannot be found guilty nor
shall any person be twice put in jeop-
ardy for the same offence; nor can he
be compelled to give evidence against
| himself; that no man be deprived OF his
liberty, except by the law of the land
or the judgment OF his peers but
upon a plea of guilty by the accused
or with his consent, entered Of record
the court may hear and determine any
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