111. AN ACT to legalize the lease of certain school lands, - 280 to incorporate the Commerce Male and Fe- to incorporate the officers and members of "Warren Lodge, No. 3, of the Independent to authorize Levi W. Moore to build a Toll Bridge across the Chickasawha river, to authorize the auditor of public accounts to cancel and rescind contracts in relation to the sale of lots in the city of Jackson, 282 283 119. to incorporate the Holly Springs Library and Debating Society, in the county of Marshall, 287 THAT the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, We De clare and natural SECTION 1. That all freemen, when they Equality form a social compact, are equal in rights; rights. and that no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive, separate, public emoluments, or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services. Sec. 2. That all political power is inhe-Political rent in the people, and all free governments the right of are founded on their authority, and estab-to change power and the people libel, of govern their o form lished for their benefit; and, therefore, they ment, have at all times an unalienable and inde worship, no feasible right to alter or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient. Religious Sec. 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this state: Provided, that the right hereby declared and established shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state. Sec. 4. No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship. preference given, nor any person molested therein, Freedom of speech not to be strained by law. Sec. 5. That no person shall be molested for his opinions on any subject whatever, nor suffer any civil or political incapacity, or acquire any civil or political advantage, in consequence of such opinions, except in cases provided for in this constitution. Sec. 6. Every citizen may freely speak, rewrite, and publish, his sentiments, on all subjects; being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. Truth to he in Sec. 7. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech, or of the press. Sec. 8. In all prosecutions or indictments dence for libel, the truth may be given in eviall prosecu dence; and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libellous is true, and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts. Security of person and search war. Sec. 9. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and posses-searc sions, 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, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation. accu Sec. 10. That in all criminal prosecu-The ac tions the accused hath a right to be heard, heard and by himself or counsel, or both; to demand convicted. the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted by the witnesses against him; to have a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and in all prosecutions by indictment or information a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the county where the offence was committed; that he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by due course of law. Sec. 11. No person shall be accused, arrested, or detained, except in cases ascertained by law, and according to the form which the same has prescribed; and no person shall be punished but in virtue of a law established and promulgated prior to the offence, and legally applied. Sec. 12. That no person shall, for any in- Proceedings dictable offence, be proceeded against crim-ble offences inally by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, or by leave of the court, for misdemeanor in office. Life and Sec. 13. No person shall, for the same limb not to in jeopardy for the same of he twice put offence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall any person's property be fence, nor taken or applied to public use without the privs leaken consent of the legislature, and without just for public compensation being first made therefor. private pro compensation. Justice to Sec. 14. That all courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in be adminis. his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall tered to all have remedy by due course of law, and out sale, de- right and justice administered without sale, nial or delay denial, or delay. Power of laws. suspending Sec. 15. That no power of suspending laws shall be exercised, except by the legislature, or its authority. Excessive Sec. 16. That excessive bail shall not be bailuired to required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor required. Bailable offences, ha &c. cruel punishments inflicted. Sec. 17. That all prisoners shall, before beas corpus conviction, be bailable by sufficient securities, except for capital offences, where the proof is evident, or the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless, when in a case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. When debt. or not to be Sec. 18. That the person of a debtor, imprisoned. when there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be detained in prison, after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be pre No corrup- scribed by law. tion of blood or forfeiture of Sec. 19. No conviction for any offence estates for shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture convictions of estate: the legislature shall pass no bill of ex post fac- attainder, ex post facto law, nor law impairtracts, etc. ing the obligation of contracts. to law, con Eligibility Sec. 20. No property qualification for eli |