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ARTICLE IX.

That the general, great, and essential Principles of Liberty and free Government may be recognized and unalterably established, we declare,

SECTION I. That all men are born equally free and independent, 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.

SECT. II. That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness: For the advancement of those ends they have, at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish their government, in such manner as they may think proper.

SECT. III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no man can of right, be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, controul or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishments or modes of worship.

SECT. IV. That no person, who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments, shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this commonwealth. SECT. V. That elections shall be free and equal. SECT. VI. That trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate.

SECT. VII. That the printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the legislature, or any branch of government: And no law shall ever be made to restrain

the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man; and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In prosecutions for the publication of papers, investigating the official conduct of officers, or men in a public capacity, or where the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence: And, in all indictments for libels, the jury shall have a right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cases.

SECT. VIII. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures: And that no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or things, shall issue, without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.

SECT. IX. That, in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and his council, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour, and, in prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the vicinage: That he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, unless by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.

SECT. X. That no person shall, for any indictable offence, be proceeded against criminally by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger, or, by leave of the court, for oppression and misdemeanor in office. No person shall, for the same offence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall any man's proQ

perty be taken or applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, and without just compensation being made.

SECT. XI. That all courts shall be open, and every man, 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. Suits may be brought against the commonwealth in such manner, in such courts, and in such cases, as the legislature may by law direct.

SECT. XII. That no power of suspending laws shall be exercised, unless by the legislature, or its authority.

SECT. XIII. That excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted.

SECT. XIV. That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident or presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.

SECT. XV. That no commission of oyer and terminer or gaol delivery shall be issued.

SECT. XVI. That the person of a debtor, where there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison, after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.

SECT. XVII. That no ex post facto law, nor any law impairing contracts, shall be made.

SECT. XVIII. That no person shall be attainted of treason or felony by the legislature.

SECT. XIX. That no attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor except during the life of the offender, forfeiture of estate to the commonwealth; that the estates of such persons as shall destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in case of natural

death; and if any person shall be killed by casualty, there shall be no forfeiture by reason thereof.

SECT. XX. That the citizens have right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their 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.

SECT. XXI. That the right of citizens to bear arms, in defence of themselves and the state, shall not be questioned.

SECT. XXII. That no standing army shall, in time of peace, 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. SECT. XXIII. That no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

SECT. XXIV. That the legislature shall not grant any title of nobility or hereditary distinction, nor create any office, the appointment of which shall be for a longer term than during good behaviour.

SECT. XXV. That emigration from the state shall not be prohibited.

SECT. XXVI. To guard against transgressions of the high powers which we have delegated, we declare, That every thing in this article is excepted out of the general powers of government, and shall for ever remain inviolate.

SCHEDULE.

That no Inconvenience may arise from the Alterations and Amendments in the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and in order to carry the same into complete operation, it is hereby declared and ordained,

I. That all laws of this commonwealth, in force at the time of making the said alterations and

amendments in the said Constitution, and not inconsistent therewith, and all rights, actions, prosecutions, claims and contracts, as well of individuals as of bodies corporate, shall continue as if the said alterations and amendments had not been made.

II. That the President and Supreme Executive Council shall continue to exercise the executive authority of this commonwealth, as heretofore, until the third Tuesday of December next; but no intermediate vacancies in the Council shall be supplied by new elections.

III. That all officers in the appointment of the executive department shall continue in the exercise of the duties of their respective offices until the first day of September, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, unless their commissions shall sooner expire by their own limitations, or the said offices become vacant by death or resignation, and no longer, unless reappointed and commissioned by the Governor; except that the judges of the supreme court shall hold their offices for the terms in their commissions respectively expressed.

IV. That justice shall be administered in the several counties of the state, until the period aforesaid, by the same justices, in the same courts, and in the same manner, as heretofore.

V. That no person now in commission as sheriff shall be eligible at the next election for a longer term, than will, with the time which he shall have served in the said office, complete the term of three years.

VI. That, until the first enumeration shall be made, as directed in the fourth section of the first article of the Constitution established by this Convention, the city of Philadelphia and the several counties shall be respectively entitled to elect the same number of Representatives as is now prescribed by law.

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