Page:The Federal and state constitutions v5.djvu/275

Rh founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.

That the people of this State have the inherent, sole, and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof and of altering and abolishing their constitution and form of government whenever it may be necessary to their safety and happiness; but every such right should be exercised in pursuance of law and consistently with the Constitution of the United States.

That this State shall ever remain a member of the American Union; that the people thereof are part of the American nation; that there is no right on the part of this State to secede, and that all attempts, "from whatever source or upon whatever pretext, to dissolve said Union or to sever said nation ought to be resisted with the whole power of the State.

That every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United States, and that no law or ordinance of the State in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force.

To maintain the honor and good faith of the State untarnished, the public debt, regularly contracted before and since the rebellion, shall be regarded as inviolable and never be questioned; but the State shall never assume or pay, or authorize the collection of, any debt or obligation, express or implied, incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave.

No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community but in consideration of public services.

The legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of the government ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other. All power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by any authority, without the consent of the representatives of the people, is injurious to their rights, and ought not to be exercised.

All elections ought to be free.

In all criminal prosecutions every man has the right to be informed of the accusation against him and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for his defence, and not be compelled to give evidence against himself, or to pay costs, jail-fees, or necessary witness-fees of the defence, unless found guilty.

No person shall be put to answer any criminal charge, except as hereinafter allowed, but by indictment, presentment, or impeachment.

No person shall be convicted of any crime but by the unanimous verdict of a jury of good and lawful men in open court. The legislature may, however, provide other means of trial, for petty misdemeanors, with the right of appeal.

Excessive bail should not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.

General warrants, whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the act committed, or to seize any persons not named, whose offence is not