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ARTICLE XVI.
General Provisions. Section 1. Whereas, slavery has been destroyed in this State by the
Government of the United States; therefore, neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude shall in future exist in this State, except as a punishment for
crimes, whereof the party shall have been convicted by the courts of the State,
and all the inhabitants of the State, without distinction of color, are free,
and shall enjoy the rights of person and property without distinction of color.
Section 2. In all criminal proceedings founded upon injury to a
colored person, and in all cases affecting the rights and remedies of colored
persons, no person shall be incompetent to testify as a witness on account of
color; in all other cases, the testimony of colored persons shall be excluded,
unless made competent by future legislation. The jury shall judge Section 3. The Jurors of this State shall be white men, possessed of
such qualifications as may be prescribed by law. Section 4. Treason against the State shall consist only in levying war
against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No
person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to
the same overt act, or his confession in open court. Section 5. Divorces from the bonds of matrimony shall not be allowed
but by the judgment of a court, as shall be prescribed by law. Section 6. The General Assembly shall declare by law what parts of the
common law, and what parts of the civil law, not inconsistent with this
Constitution, shall be in force in this State. Section 7. The oaths of officers directed to be taken under this
Constitution, may be administered by any judge, or justice of the peace, in the
State of Florida, until otherwise provided by
law.
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