Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/EDUCATE/USCON2.ZIP/VIRDEC.DAT

Text File | 1994-01-25 | 5KB | 110 lines

        The Virginia Declaration of Rights  (June 12, 1776)

  I.    That all men are by nature equally free and independent,
  and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into
  a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or
  divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and
  liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property,
  and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

  II.    That all power is vested in, and consequently derived
  from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and
  servants, and at all times amenable to them.

  III.   That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the
  common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation
  or community; of all the various modes and forms of government
  that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree
  of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against
  the danger of maladministration; and that, whenever any
  government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these
  purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable,
  unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish
  it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the
  public weal.

  IV.   That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or
  separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in
  consideration of public services; which, not being descendible,
  neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator, or judge be
  hereditary.

  V.   That the legislative and executive powers of the state
  should be separate and distinct from the judicative; and,
  that the members of the two first may be restrained from
  oppression by feeling and participating the burthens of the
  people, they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to a private
  station, return into that body from which they were originally
  taken, and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
  and regular elections in which all, or any part of the former
  members, to be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws
  shall direct.

  VI.   That elections of members to serve as representatives of
  the people in assembly ought to be free; and that all men, having
  sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and
  attachment to, the community have the right of suffrage and
  cannot be taxed or deprived of their property for public uses
  without their own consent or that of their representatives so
  elected, nor bound by any law to which they have not, in like
  manner, assented, for the public good.

  VII.   That all power of suspending laws, or the execution of
  laws, by any authority without consent of the representatives of
  the people is injurious to their rights and ought not to be
  exercised.

  VIII.  That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath
  a right to demand the cause and nature of his accusation to be
  confronted with the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence
  in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of his
  vicinage, without whose unanimous consent he cannot be found
  guilty, nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself;
  that no man be deprived of his liberty except by the law of
  the land or the judgement of his peers.

  IX.   That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor
  excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments
  inflicted.

  X.    That general warrants, whereby any officer or messenger
  may be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of
  a fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named,
  or whose offense is not particularly described and supported by
  evidence, are grievous and oppressive and ought not to be
  granted.

  XI.   That in controversies respecting property and in suits
  between man and man, the ancient trial by jury is preferable to
  any other and ought to be held sacred.

  XII.  That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest
  bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic
  governments.

  XIII. That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the
  people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe
  defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace,
  should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that, in all
  cases, the military should be under strict subordination to,
  and be governed by, the civil power.

  XIV.  That the people have a right to uniform government; and
  therefore, that no government separate from, or independent of,
  the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established
  within the limits thereof.

  XV.   That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can
  be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice,
  moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue and by frequent
  recurrence to fundamental principles.

  XVI.  That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator and
  the manner of discharging it, can be directed by reason and
  conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are
  equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to
  the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of
  all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards
  each other.