Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/586

Rh immunities shall ever be granted by the general assembly which may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the same authority.

The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the general assembly for the redress of grievances.

The people have the right to bear arms for their defence and security; but standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up, and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.

The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate, and extend to persons of every condition.

There shall be no slavery in this State, and no involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted.

All men nave a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or maintain any form of worship against his consent; and no preference shall be given by law to any religious society, nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness on account of religious belief; but nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to dispense with oaths or affirmations. Religious morality and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the legislature to make suitable provisions for the protection of all religious denominations in the peaceable enjoyment of their modes of worship, and for the encouragement of schools and the means of instruction.

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless, in case of invasion or rebellion, the public interest require it.

All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offences, where the proof is evident or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted.

Except in cases of impeachment, and in cases arising in the Army or Navy, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger, and in cases of petit larceny and other inferior offences, no person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless upon presentment or indictment of a grand jury. In any trial in any court, the accused shall be allowed to appear and defend in person or by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to procure the attendance of witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offence is alleged to have been committed; nor shall any person be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, or twice put in jeopardy for the same offence.

Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all prosecutions for libel the truth of