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ARTICLE I. Declaration of Rights. That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may
be recognized and established, we declare: Section 1. That all freemen, when they form a social compact, are equal,
and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of
enjoying and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing, and protecting
property and reputation; and of pursuing their own happiness. Section 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all
free governments are founded on their authority, and established for their benefit,
and therefore, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right
to alter or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may deem
expedient. Section 3. That all men have a natural and inalienable right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; and that no
preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishment or mode
of worship in this State. Section 4. That all elections shall be free and equal; and that no property
qualification for eligibility to office, or for the right of suffrage, shall
ever be required in this State. Section 5. That every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his
sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty;
and no law shall ever be passed to curtail, abridge, or restrain the liberty
of speech or of the press. Section 6. That the right of trial by jury shall forever remain inviolate.
Section 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and possessions, from unreasonable seizures and searches; and that no
warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, shall issue without
describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized, as
nearly as may be, not without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.
Section 8. That no freeman shall be taken, imprisoned or disseized of
his freehold, liberties, or outlawed or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or
deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the law of the land. Section 9. That all Courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury
done him, in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by the
due course of law; and right and justice administered without sale, denial or
delay. Section 10. That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right
to be heard by himself or counsel, or both; to demand the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and in all prosecutions by indictment
or presentment, a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the county
or district where the offense was committed; and shall not be compelled to give
evidence against himself. Section 11. That all persons shall be bailable, by sufficient securities,
unless in capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the presumption is
strong; and the privilege of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, when
in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. Section 12. That excessive bail shall in no case be required; nor shall
excessive fines be imposed; nor shall cruel or unusual punishments be inflicted.
Section 13. That no person shall, for the same offense, be twice put
in jeopardy of life or limb. Section 14. That private property shall not be taken or applied to public
use, unless just compensation be made therefor. Section 15. That in all prosecutions and indictments for libel, the
truth may be given in evidence; and if it shall appear to the jury that the
libel is true, and published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the
truth shall be a justification; and the jury shall be the judges of the law
and the facts. Section 16. That no person shall be put to answer any criminal charge
but by presentment, indictment or impeachment. Section 17. That no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture
of estate. Section 18. That retrospective laws, punishing acts committed before
the existence of such laws, and by them only declared penal or criminal, are
oppressive, unjust, and incompatible with liberty; wherefore, no ex post
facto law shall ever be made. Section 19. That no law impairing the obligation of contracts shall
ever be passed. Section 20. That the people have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble
together to consult for the common good; and to apply to those invested with
the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes,
by petition, address or remonstrance. Section 21. That the free white men of this state shall have the right
to keep and to bear arms for their common defense. Section 22. That no soldier in time of peace shall be quartered in any
house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war but in a manner prescribed
by law. Section 23. That no standing army shall be kept up without the consent
of the Legislature; and the military shall, in all cases and at all times, be
in strict subordination to the civil power. Section 24. That perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius
of a free State, and ought not to be allowed. Section 25. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors shall
ever be granted or conferred in this State. Section 26. That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely
necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty. Section 27. That to guard against transgressions upon the rights of
the people, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out of the
general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate; and that all
laws contrary thereto, or to the following provisions, shall be void.
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